of operations at the New Jersey wine mecca the Wine Library and host of Wine Library TV, to curate a case for every special—and not-so-special—event throughout the year. “You won’t just save yourself trips to the store,” says Vaynerchuk. “You should save some money, too. If your purveyor doesn’t offer you a 10 to 20 percent discount on the case or won’t allow you to mix and match, you should be shopping somewhere else.”
Check-out our selection of wines for any occasion.
FOR A PARTY Ercavio Roble La Mancha 2005, Spain, $11 “Deciding what to take to a party is hard—a big-ticket wine can be lost in the fray, and low-budget stuff seems tacky,” says Vaynerchuk. This bold Tempranillo is a great middle ground. “It’s from an up-and-coming Spanish region that offers outrageous value. It tastes like a $30 bottle,” he says.
TO ELEVATE PIZZA NIGHT Urban Ribera 2004, Spain, $15 “This wine actually tastes better with pizza than by itself,” says Vaynerchuk. Made from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes, it’s a fruit bomb, backed with a generous acid content and enough tannins to tackle even the heartiest meat-lover toppings. It’ll turn take-out pizza into a satisfying and romantic meal.
TO CAP A BAD DAY Frank Family Zinfandel 2005, California, $35 This Napa Valley zin oozes jammy fruit flavors as well as floral and spicy notes. It also boasts a 15 percent alcohol punch, which will take the edge off any stressful situation. “This wine is delicious,” says Vaynerchuk.
FOR A JULY 4 PICNIC Bacchus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, California, $15 “It’s hard to find a good American cab at a fair price,” says Vaynerchuk, “but this wine is solid.” A glug of merlot boosts tannin levels, which makes for an easy-sipping red that won’t stifle your tastebuds in the heat, but will stand up nicely to barbecued and grilled meats.
FOR A BYO DINNER Domaine La Garrigue Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Romaine 2005, France, $13 The best BYO wines work with almost any main course, from fish to steak, and don’t require a lot of decanting or special handling. “This wine is affordable and very flexible. You can just open it and drink it,” says Vaynerchuk. He loves the cherry-cola flavor with hints of white pepper and curry on the finish.
TO IMPRESS THE IN-LAWS Château La Fleur de Boüard 2004, France, $40 This deep, powerful red will impress newcomers and wine snobs alike, says Vaynerchuk. It’s perfect for cellaring, which shows that you appreciate maturity, but also tastes great now. “It’ll do more for your appearance than fancy clothes,” he says.
TO SWEETEN VALENTINE’S DAY Château d’Arche Sauternes 2005, France, $34 Forget the restaurant madhouse. Pair a home-cooked meal with several wine courses instead. Cap things off with a rich dessert and this full-bodied dessert wine. “It’s a home run,” says Vaynerchuk.
TO WARM UP, MIDWINTER Spencer Roloson Palaterra 2003, California, $20 You could reach for a classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a hearty winter meal, but this wine delivers the same grapes and similar flavors at half the price. “These guys totally get it, and their only agenda is to overdeliver. It’s an awesome wine,” says Vaynerchuk.
TO QUIET A WINE BULLY Noblaie Chinon Rouge 2004, France, $18 “Most wine bullies are looking for huge, fruit-driven wines, so serve up this Loire Valley red that tastes more vegetal than V8 juice,” Vaynerchuk says. “Tell him that when you go back 100 years, Chinon wines like this one cost more than first-growth Bordeaux, and more discerning palates still gravitate toward this style.” [[page credits]] Jason Statham by ART STREIBER, stylist: Brian Boye and Samantha Rubin, groomer: Helen Robertson for Redkin/celestineagency.com 
FOR A HOT BEACH DAY Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand, $12 “Summer wines should be crisp, clean, zingy, and refreshing, and should measure up even when you’re sipping them from a plastic cup,” says Vaynerchuk. This one meets his requirements and comes with a screw cap, meaning even a seagull could get the bottle open.
TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR Castell Roig Brut, Spain, $14 Most men overspend on their New Year’s Eve toast, says Vaynerchuk. “You don’t want to drop serious cash on bubbly that just sits around until midnight.” This Spanish cava stacks up against true champagnes three times its price.
FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER Nora Albariño 2006, Spain, $15 Nora is one of the first small-scale producers in Spain to focus on the Albariño grape, which yields aromatic, vibrant wines. “The smaller producers often give more care to the harvest,” Vaynerchuk says. “This wine will transition well from aperitif to turkey. The strong fruit finish will blend nicely with sweet potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables.”