Wine

[rubyraks]

Re: Wine

Where's the love for the big Italian wines?! I love my wines, but have never been a huge fan of the French ones (aside from the Pinot Noir and others as they combine with food well). Huge fan of the barolo, brunello and so many of the tuscan wines. I just like a bigger punch in my wine, not soft and oakey (yes I'm over-generalizing here).

[skahound]

Re: Wine

While I was in France over the summer I learned that American wineries attempt to replicate the French taste by putting their wine into oak barrels imported from France. But the French don't use their own oak because it's too strong and pungent. They typically use oak from the US! At least that's what one winemaker told us.

And as for Italian wines. I've tasted a few good Tuscans and actually my favorite white, other than a white burgundy, is a Pinot Grigio from Friuli.

[speciale]

Re: Wine

I am headed to Italy this year and will try to make it to at least one Vineyard.

[rubyraks]

Re: Wine

While I was in France over the summer I learned that American wineries attempt to replicate the French taste by putting their wine into oak barrels imported from France. But the French don't use their own oak because it's too strong and pungent. They typically use oak from the US! At least that's what one winemaker told us.

Now that is even more interesting as the grapes they use are from California. Back in the 1860s, a plague of insects detroyed the French vineyards and they brought in the California wine seeds (which were more resistant to the insects) to replenish their crops. If it weren't for the better weather conditions in France, there wouldn't be much difference between the California and French wines...interesting.

[toasty]

Re: Wine

My wife and I are heading to CA for a wedding this summer and are planning on making a week of it in Napa/Sonoma wine country up there. Anyone got any tips?

We're planning on hitting some of the more well-known places -- Opus One, Silver Oak -- but would love some input on some places I might not think to go.

My favorite day-to-day wine right now is the Coppola 2002 Diamond Claret. It's getting harder to find the 2002, though -- more sellers just have the '03, which is good but not as good.

I'm not a white wine guy, but the 2004 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc is also quite good. Light and crisp, and great for summer coming up when red wine can be a bit much at times, esp. when you're outdoors.

[toasty]

Re: Wine

almost forgot -- Spanish wines are big on my list right now as well, esp. from Priorat...

[geoffgulley]

Re: Wine

Not a huge wine drinker but love a glass of red zin here and there.... all time favorite is Cosentino Zinfandel"cigar zin".... good stuff.

[speciale]

Re: Wine

My wife and I are heading to CA for a wedding this summer and are planning on making a week of it in Napa/Sonoma wine country up there. Anyone got any tips?
.

best tip is not to drive. A lot of people will rent a limo and hit all of the vineyards in style. also, if you are going to be tasting a lot of wine, you will get buzzed and its better to let someone else drive.

In all honesty, you write a report when you get back to give us some tips. I haven't had the chance to make it there yet.

[floridaorange]

Re: Wine

Ive tried a fair amount of wines, I like Pepperwood Grove for under $10 it's the best imo. Give the merlot a try or chard. with dinner sometime

[speciale]

Re: Wine

^^^ yep. their Pinot is not that bad as well as their cab. usually here for 5.99. on a budget, you can't lose

also, try Columbia Crest - Cab - Merlot mix.

http://www.ste-michelle-wine-estates.com/image_bank/fullimages/COL_FS_01_TV_Mer_Cab.pdf

[Kinetic]

Re: Wine

Wow, what an eye opener!

A 4 page thread about wine and not one mention of any Portuguese wines That just shows how well we promote our own best products... Anyone ever heard about Port? Not that I like it much, but I thought everyone knew that one.

1st of all, there?s only one kind of wine imo...red wine. White wine is a refreshment.

2nd of all, I?m drinking a nice bottle of red wine right now, Loios from Alentejo, my favourite region.

But most stuff from the Douro and Dao regions is always pretty good

But I agree, no one beats the French at this. I especially enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon and derivates. We have the Cabernet chaste of grapes around here too, but it?s not as good, it?s probably down to the fact that it?s not the perfect combination of grape, climate and soil that?s achieved in France.

[lilsensa]

Re: Wine

cisco!!!! this shit is lethal!!!


http://www.bumwine.com/cisco.html <-----read

[Cj Tari]

Re: Wine

Chilean wines are for me the best, Concha y Toro make some incredible CabSav and some impressive Chardonnay, i like their Casillero del Diablo branch out of their Main vineyards.Theres another one thats pretty cheap and tasty, called Santa Carolina wich comes from the central valleys, its a nice blend of CabSav and Merlot. Also theres some really good mexican chardonnays, most of them comming out of the Domeq house. I also like some of the italian red wines, stuff like Chianti, comming out of the Terre regions.

i recently became a wine fan, but i must admit im only buying latin america and some european bottles at the moment, you can get some insanely good Chilean wine bottles for something like 3 to 12 dlls here in Mexico.

[thesightless]

Re: Wine

cabernet and merlot chilled. i know, should be room, but i like em cold. always loved old cabernet.

but fuck it, gimme a double bock from belgium or NW USA or a nice dark stout or choco stout.

[sakio pod]

Re: Wine

abacus 97 third bottling
sliver oak 97
jarvis 97

my top 3