So here is what I am considering. I'm shopping for 10 persons since I'm not very used to this I'm slightly in doubt of how many bottles I should buy?
Welcome + 1st course: Launois Pére et Fils NV ($35) or 2000 ($56) (I did prefer the 2000 to the NV so I'll probably end up going for that one). Bollinger NV because at $44 I am very tempted to at least try it and others might prefer this style over the Launois.
Timbale: Continue on the champagne or switch to a Riesling. I know noone suggested Riesling but I really like it and I've read that it should go well with smoked fish dishes. I am considering a Kubler Riesling 'K' 2007 ($32).
Terrine of cockerel: Continue on the champagne or go to a red burgundy - Beaune or Vosne-Romanee.
Roast beef tenderloin: Matteo Correggia Roero Roche d'Ampsej 2004 ($61), Silvio Grasso Barolo Pi Vigne 2004 ($53) or Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2006 ($30). With the first two I'd buy a Roero Nebbiolo for later in the evening, I can get one I like for $15 and before it has been very nice even after bigger Nebbiolos. With the Ratti I have to buy 12 bottles so we'd have more than enough of that.
Cheese: Continue with the red wine or switch to a sherry. I have been looking at two different ones. Lustau Don Nuno Oloroso, Emilio Lustau S.A. ($27) and Lustau Old East India Solera, Emilio Lustau S.A. ($28.5).
Cake: I have a bottle of port lying around in my cellar, should be decent but not mind-blowing. I have found a beerenauslese made of 70% riesling and 30% chardonnay from Austria. I can get this one - Kracher Cuvée Beerenauslese 2007 - for $17 per half-bottle which seems like a very reasonable price to me.
So I'm narrowing it down but still have some open issues as you can see. depending on which wines I end up picking I've also gone way over budget but **** it, I don't mind blowing a bit of money on wine for my friends
Thanks again.