Bottles that hold their own next to a real meal and get people talking. These are the wines we'd bring to a friend's table: a little more structure, a little more story, and still easy for everyone to enjoy. Mostly $35 to $59, so you can bring two.
For red, Ashanta's Methusulah is ancient-vine Grenache, Carignan and País, Les Deux Clés' Jeux de Clés Rouge is a deeper Grenache, and Kyra Winery's Sev Areni from Armenia is a conversation starter. Domaine de Bargylus' Jabal Rouge from Syria is another. For white, Ardure's Battaglini Vineyard Chardonnay and Clair Obscur's Le Chat Blanc both have the weight for a main course. Want something in between? L'Alezan & la Tangente's Métisse is a Syrah and Viognier rosé, and Oxymore's Voyage Immobile is a skin-contact Viognier.
Host tip: open a white or rosé with snacks, then switch to red with dinner. Two bottles, zero stress.
