Party food menu ideas

Shrimp Boil

A one (big) pot dinner party! Corn, shellfish, and potatoes means you cover all the food groups, too. Serve with: Up the ante with hush puppies, Bloody Marys, and plenty of Old Bay.

Bring the Party Home

Bar tabs and restaurant bills add up quickly when you're out with a group. Ease the strain on your wallet by entertaining at home instead of going out. To provide a little inspiration, we've come up with 9 low-cost, D.I.Y. party ideas, complete with simple and affordable wine and food pairing suggestions. Now, all you have to do is start making the guest list, look more ideas here.

Rotisserie Leg of Lamb with Potatoes, Fennel, and Olives

If you don't want to go whole hog, this is another similar option. Serve with: A simple mezze platter is on theme and perfect for tiding guests over until the main course is served, and a fresh, tangy Greek salad will perfectly compliment the lamb. For dessert, grilled pineapple is sweet without being too heavy.

Movie Night: New World Chardonnay & Popcorn

Movies, popcorn, and...Chardonnay? Yes, indeed. Pick up a bottle of slightly oaked, New World-style Chardonnay on your way home from the video store, make some 'real' buttered popcorn (not that microwave stuff), plant yourself on the couch, and press 'play.' The rich, toasty flavors of the wine mirror the rich, buttery goodness of the popcorn. Who knew it could be so easy?

Grilled Whole Arctic Char

Perfect for a more sophisticated dinner party. Serve with: Grilled fennel is way underrated, and it goes great with fatty fish, and grilled herb potatoes are simple and just flavorful enough. End your meal with boozy popsicles, the most fun after dinner "drink" there is.

Fiesta Night: Sauvignon Blanc & Guacamole

Who says you have to enjoy tacos with a margarita or a Corona when you can sip Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand? This crisp, citrus-y, herbaceous white wine accompanies freshly made guacamole like a charm. The zingy acidity of the wine works in tandem with the fresh lime juice in the guacamole and delightfully offsets the richness of the avocados.

DIY Hot Dog Bar

Be as crazy (or as conservative) with the toppings as you'd like. Serve with: Go All-American and serve baked beans on the side, ice cream sandwiches to finish, and Budweiser throughout.

Bourbon-Glazed Baby Back Ribs

A face full of barbecue sauce is the great equalizer. Serve with: Sop up that extra barbecue sauce with cornbread, and creamy potato salad. Since the bourbon is already open, go ahead and make a big batch of bourbon peach sweet tea.

Neighborhood Block-Party: Beaujolais and Burgers

Invite your neighbors over for a casual backyard party with Beaujolais wine and grilled burgers. Beaujolais wines from France (which are much more than just that 'Nouveau' stuff) are a great match for burgers because of their lively acidity, juicy fruitiness, and soft tannins. You can even drink the more youthful Beaujolais a little bit chilled, which is perfect for outdoor summertime sipping.