plum sangria

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Don't Stress About the Booze
Buying a case of wine is one of the best ways to save money (there are 12 bottles in a case; you can calculate how much you'll need here). But you may want to consider ditching bottles completely in favor of boxes. There's a new wave of premium-quality boxed wines out there that have earned praise from oenophiles—and they're priced lower than wines that come in a glass, thanks to reduced packaging and shipping costs. And you don't have to worry about fully stocking the bar; instead, try serving a seasonal predinner drink, such as this cranberry sangria or a sparkling wine (here are some great values).