While entertaining friends this weekend, I found myself at Eno Wine Bar on Lincoln Road talking about wine for the holidays – Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. Forgetting the fact that I’m Jewish, this was kind of weird considering it’s only September. But I figured, hey, if Walgreens and CVS can begin to advertise for holidays two months away, then so can I!

Thanks to wine’s long shelf life, you can stock your wine cellar now, well in advance of the year-end festivities – and have one less item to check off your to-do list when the celebrations are in full swing.

With so many different kinds of food served during the holidays you’ll want a few go-to wines that pair with just about everything. Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio are both versatile, food-loving sips that won’t step on many dishes’ toes.

Sometimes, however, it’s just as important to match wines according to the taste of your guests. You can make all those around your table feel welcomed and indulged by picking up a bottle you’ve chosen with their preferences in mind. Remember these tips when matching wines to personalities:

• For those sweet-wine-loving aunts and grandmas: White Zinfandel and German Riesling are fruity and refreshing. For a fruity-style sparkling wine, choose Asti or Moscato d’Asti.

• For artistic, urban-dwelling cousins: Look to Spain for some currently trendy sips, including Albarino (an energetic white with a fleshy, round finish) and red Riojas, made from the Tempranillo grape.

• For your friend, the wine geek: Go for specific sub-regions that fascinate wine lovers, such as the Willamette Valley in Oregon (for Pinot Noir), the Marlborough region of New Zealand (for Sauvingon Blanc) and Napa Valley (for Cabernet Sauvignon).

• For the Steady Eddys: Some people just want “their usual.” Remember that Merlot and Chardonnay always rank among the best-selling reds and whites, respectively. Keep a few bottles of these on hand, and you’ll have something nearly anyone can enjoy.

And don’t worry about buying too much – what you don’t open can go right back in your cellar, and what you won’t ever drink (perhaps the White Zinfandel) can go home with your quests, so as not to clutter your wine rack. Everyone wins!

Tags: Albarino, Asti, Chardonnay, eno wine bar, German Riesling, holiday wine, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Moscato d'Asti, napa valley cabernet sauvignon, rioja, Tempranillo, white zinfandel, willamette valley pinot noir