Light, fruity wines, Irish micro-brews and some alcohol-free alternatives can help get the party started, writes JOHN WILSON

PROVIDING LIQUID SUSTENANCE for large gatherings can be complicated. You don’t want to poison your friends, and probably not your relations either, but serving expensive wines will run up a large bill very quickly. It is a toss-up between budget and drinkability, but there are plenty of good wines out there that don’t cost a fortune. If you are drinking wine on its own, a light and refreshing white wine is best, or something smooth and fruity for reds. If you intend serving a meal, then serve wines with a little more body, so they won’t be completely swamped by the food.

Try to find wines with lower alcohol levels and, for red wines, avoid wines with drying tannins in the finish. The ideal is 12.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent, although lighter is fine for white wines.

Many men prefer to drink beer at informal gatherings; why not offer them a few of the excellent new Irish micro-brews?

Many of your guests will be driving, and therefore not drinking. Do them a favour, and offer something a little bit different. You could serve jugs of water crammed with sprigs of mint and slices of cucumber – it makes water so much more interesting. Alternatively, add a dash of elderflower cordial to sparkling water, and you have a sophisticated, fresh, fizzy drink. A drop of Angostura Bitters added to soda water and lemon or lime makes for a tasty, barely alcoholic drink. Good tonic water (Fentimans or Fever-Tree, for preference) with a little cranberry juice is worth trying. Fentimans also does a good, quite spicy ginger ale.

We have several good apple juice producers in Ireland, including Llewellyn’s, Crinnaghtaun and my current favourite, Karmine. If apple juice by itself seems a little simple, try a sparkling version, and add a few crushed raspberries, strawberries or blackcurrants.

If you are feeling adventurous, there are plenty of mocktails (alcohol-free cocktails). The classic Shirley Temple, made with two-parts ginger ale to one-part orange juice and a splash of grenadine is simple to make and thirst-quenching.

PARTY DRINKS

Gers 2011, 11.5%, €6.99Some white wines from southwest France can taste uncannily like Sauvignon Blanc. This wine, a blend of local grapes Colombard and Ugni Blanc, is lively, fresh and fruity, delivering a lot more than you would expect for the price. Stockist: Marks Spencer

Les Anges Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire, 11.5%, €10.90This has grassy aromas and crisp, green-apple fruits, finishing dry. A great-value French Sauvignon with a bit more sophistication than most New World wines at the price. Stockists: Widely available, including from Sweeney's, Glasnevin; Lilac Wines, Fairview; Deveney's, Rathmines; 64Wine, Glasthule; Listons, Camden Street; La Touche Wines, Greystones; Blackrock Cellar, Blackrock.

JJ Bourgogne Blanc, Vincent 2009, 13%, €13.99If you are serving food, this unoaked Chardonnay will fit the bill. Medium-bodied, with ripe apple fruits and a dry finish, it will go down nicely on its own or with chicken, salmon and other fish dishes. Stockist: O'Briens Wines

Rincon del Sol Red 2011, Mendoza, Argentina, 12.5%, €7.29A light, smooth, easy-drinking fruity red that won't break the bank, and certainly tastes a lot better than the price would suggest. Perfect on its own, or with white and red meats or cheese. Stockist: Marks Spencer

Martínez Lacuesta Rioja Cosecha 2009, 13.5%, €11.90Inexpensive Rioja is generally often lighter and less oaky than the Reservas and Gran Reservas. As a result, they make good sipping wines. This example has delicious restrained fresh cherry fruits, good acidity and nice smooth length. Stockists: Widely available, including the Wine Boutique, Ringsend; Black Pig, Donnybrook; Blackrock Cellar, Blackrock; Bin No9, Goatstown; the Cheese Pantry, Drumcondra; Morton's, Ranelagh.

Valpolicella Torre del Falasco, Valpantena, 12.5%, €11.99Smooth refreshing morello cherries and dark fruits, with no rough edges to interfere with your enjoyment. Stockists: World Wide Wines, Waterford; thewineshop.ie; Fallon Byrne, Exchequer Street; Hole in the Wall, Dublin 7; 64Wine, Glasthule; the Wine Boutique, Ringsend.

Karmine Sparkling Apple and Blackcurrant Juice, €3.50-€4.20 for a 500ml bottleBased in Co Tipperary, Karmine does a range of good apple-based juices. This sparkling version has sophisticated tangy blackcurrant and apple fruits. Stockists: theapplefarm.com