Wine Thread

[ccasanova]

Do we have a wine thread?

I have figured out which whiskey/bourbon I prefer (Blanton’s & Eagle Rare). I have my favorite coffees (Velton’s & Onyx). I despise beer and don’t smoke. I’m ready to venture into the world of wine, but don’t know a thing! I’ve tried a few things in the past, liked some, hated others, no clue which are which, but will pay more attention now. We don’t drink “a lot” maybe 1 drink per week. Wife and I eat out a good deal, and she often drinks what the waiter suggests for pairing, but has no real preferences either.

If you have anything to add on the wine topic, please do so here. Thanks

 

[Maser]

 

[Soulezoo]

 

[Soulezoo]

So.... what you want Willis?

 

[Maggot]

My recent favorite is Tempranillo a Spanish red. Like with most, the more you spend the better you get...not always and only to a point. There's a reasonable one for about $7...Globeratti I believe its called.

 

[Soulezoo]

What you are going to like is going to be a journey, much like bourbon only far more varied. Proper pairing with food is essential as when done right, the taste of both is greatly enhanced and done wrong can be a disaster.

Also, a particular varietal from one winery (say Merlot for example) will taste quite different from another winery, especially in different regions or different vinting practices. Then, that taste will vary year to year with different vintages as the climate and growing season has such an impact on the grapes.

I like reds mostly gravitating to right bank Bordeaux and Napa Cabernet. But great Rioja, Super Tuscans or a smooth Claret are up there too.

 

[THEIS]

Do we have a wine thread?

I have figured out which whiskey/bourbon I prefer (Blanton’s & Eagle Rare). I have my favorite coffees (Velton’s & Onyx). I despise beer and don’t smoke. I’m ready to venture into the world of wine, but don’t know a thing! I’ve tried a few things in the past, liked some, hated others, no clue which are which, but will pay more attention now. We don’t drink “a lot” maybe 1 drink per week. Wife and I eat out a good deal, and she often drinks what the waiter suggests for pairing, but has no real preferences either.

If you have anything to add on the wine topic, please do so here. Thanks

Hi,

Where are you and wife eating out at, lolol......We have to get our food to go, lol.......

Next time you are in Acquistapace's ask them for wine recommendations....they have 2 people there that all they do is travel to find wines.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[MtnCreek]

I'm a hick that enjoys decent grocery store wine. Always a bottle of pinot noir, usually biltmore, on the counter. Sometimes a dry white. Can anyone suggest some sub $20 bottles that weren't bottled by leftists cunts? Serious question.

 

[zacii]

Try Kenwood, Bogle, Clos du Bois, Conundrum around the $20 mark.

If you’re willing to spend more, J Lohr, Sebastiani, and a few others that escape me right now are good.

Really like Caymus, but that will set you back a C note.

These are all Cabernet Sauvignon wines, some Merlot. Just barely getting into Malbec a bit.

 

[ccasanova]

Hi,

Where are you and wife eating out at, lolol......We have to get our food to go, lol.......

Next time you are in Acquistapace's ask them for wine recommendations....they have 2 people there that all they do is travel to find wines.

Sincerely,
Theis

Well we’re cooking at home like most folks at the moment. Roux 25 is doing take-out, and we plan to try them this week for a change. Acquistipace’s made a small fortune off me each time my wife was pregnant. I brought home a new bottle of bourbon nearly every week lol. (I have most of them still) I’ll get by there next time I’m down that way.

 

[ccasanova]

Sitting on the patio, pool fountains just breaking the water, drinking this suggestion from my SIL now. It’s ok.

 

[Jscb1b]

I don't want to go to work tomorrow!

 

[goosed]

Wine is such a deep topic... I still have a long way to go on my own journey to even scratch the surface.

Pinot Noir - for example is a full bodied red, that is usually dry to off-dry.

The bottle you have is definitely an off-dry. What is it that you like and dislike about that bottle? (be specific if possible)

 

[TriggerJerk!]

I'm a hick that enjoys decent grocery store wine. Always a bottle of pinot noir, usually biltmore, on the counter. Sometimes a dry white. Can anyone suggest some sub $20 bottles weren't bottled by leftists cunts? Serious question.

I like reds so give these a whirl for good table wine with beef, elk, venison:

And try some “14 Hands” (sorry, do have a pict of the label).

 

[Soulezoo]

Try Kenwood, Bogle, Clos du Bois, Conundrum around the $20 mark.

If you’re willing to spend more, J Lohr, Sebastiani, and a few others that escape me right now are good.

Really like Caymus, but that will set you back a C note.

These are all Cabernet Sauvignon wines, some Merlot. Just barely getting into Malbec a bit.

Funny you say that. I am having a glass of Conundrum right now, paired with a NY steak I prepared sous vide and finished in a cast iron skillet. Fabulous!

 

[ccasanova]

The bottle you have is definitely an off-dry. What is it that you like and dislike about that bottle? (be specific if possible)

Likes: sweet - but not too sweet, dry - but not too dry, smooth, not too much alcohol taste or funky aftertaste

☝? Redneck tasting notes

 

[ccasanova]

Funny you say that. I am having a glass of Conundrum right now, paired with a NY steak I prepared sous vide and finished in a cast iron skillet. Fabulous!

The sous vide thread here convinced me to get one...last Christmas...2017...still haven’t used it ??‍

 

[SSG69]

I was thinking Greenday and clitinator until I saw wine instead of whine...

 

[Jethro3898]

I’m a Cabernet Sauvignon guy. I will drink some other reds (Malbec, Shiraz and a little Merlot), but have never really gotten into the whites. There are a few red blends that I like also.

One of my go to favorites is Caymus Vineyards. It is a routinely good wine....on the higher end of the price spectrum (in my opinion). I’ve never been letdown by a bottle of Caymus. I also enjoy The Prisoner. Probably the best wine I’ve ever had was a wine called Scarecrow, but it was stupid expensive.

As far as blends, I’ve had good success with Machete and 8 Years In The Desert.

Wine is one of those things that you get what you pay for, but you don’t have to go nuts with. I’ve got friends who are crazy about Quintessa and Opus One, but I’ve always felt they were over priced For my palate. You can find a sweet spot for good reds in the $25 to $50 range. If you open it to $75-$80 you can get Caymus and be a happy man. Wine is not a cheap hobby, but a bottle or two of wine goes a pretty long way.

A guy one told me (and it was great advice) to keep notes about wines you like and don’t like. It will save you a ton of money. You have to keep notes because there are 10,000 different brands, not to mention different years. Keep the notes in your phone. I have notes that I didn’t like a wine at all, or that a wine was too sharp or perhaps too mellow (I prefer rather bold flavor). I don’t get into all of the “I detect hints of rose petals, dark chocolate and seasoned oak” like you’ll read online. I pretty much categorize wines by how easy they are to drink and what my impression is within the first 5 seconds of taking a sip of the first glass. After a couple/three glasses your ability to tell if it’s good or not is cloaked by the alcohol content.

The one thing I do while-heartedly agree with is to open a wine and let it breathe. Decanting it is best, but sometimes not an option. At the very least pour a little in a glass and let it sit a few minutes. It makes a major difference in the way it tastes.

I used to abhor wine....until I had good wine. It was like I had a peek into the matrix and a new world was revealed to me.

 

[ccasanova]

I had a Sauternes (Chateau ??‍ Something) the other day. Super sweet, but really good. It was 8 or 10 years old I think. I bought it years ago as a cooking wine because that’s what Justin Wilson (Louisiana Cajun chef) used in nearly every dish. Finally decided to cook with it and drank the rest.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Boones Farm, all day.

 

[Soulezoo]

I had a Sauternes (Chateau ??‍ Something) the other day. Super sweet, but really good. It was 8 or 10 years old I think. I bought it years ago as a cooking wine because that’s what Justin Wilson (Louisiana Cajun chef) used in nearly every dish. Finally decided to cook with it and drank the rest.

Try southern fried chicken finished in the skillet with sauternes and chopped green onion. Oh my...

 

[Soulezoo]

Booms Farm, all day.

That's "Boones Farm" and "Strawberry Hill"

Rookie.

 

[TheBigCountry]

That's "Boones Farm" and "Strawberry Hill"

Rookie.

Serious autocorrect fail on my iPhone on that one lol

 

[Soulezoo]

I wasn't really into wine much but after getting off active duty AF, I was offered a job at a print shop in Napa. They printed the labels for most of the Napa Valley appellations at the time. I got to meet a number of owners and got a helluva education from them. (Old man Grgich from Grgich Hills foremost amongst them) The highlight of that was I printed the first edition of the labels for Opus One. I got to meet Robert Mondavi and Baron Rothschild. Mr. Mondavi gave me a bottle of Opus One and the kind Baron gave me a bottle of 1979 Chateau Latour. To this day those were the best two bottles of wine I have ever had. Nothing else has come close.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Kinda spoiled on wines tho, as I come from a family that makes it, and I’m always stuck comparing what I buy to what’s made at home.

One of my favorites right now is a Pinot Noir by Coppola; I enjoy a few wines by Coppola to be honest.

 

[Soulezoo]

Kinda spoiled on wines tho, as I come from a family that makes it, and I’m always stuck comparing what I buy to what’s made at home.

One of my favorites right now is a Pinot Noir by Coppola; I enjoy a few wines by Coppola to be honest.

I like his Claret. It's a good value. Directors Cut Merlot was good too.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I like his Claret. It's a good value. Directors Cut Merlot was good too.

Really like that Directors Cut as well. Believe it or not, Costco and Trader Joe have some decent wines that won’t break the bank.

 

[Soulezoo]

I'm a bit of a snob. Consider the bank broken.

My birthday was this week and since we couldn't get out to celebrate, I opened a bottle of 2009 Kapcsandy Grand Vin.

Oh my gosh that was heaven in a bottle.

 

[goosed]

Likes: sweet - but not too sweet, dry - but not too dry, smooth, not too much alcohol taste or funky aftertaste

☝? Redneck tasting notes

Fair enough, a few other readily available smooth reds under $20 that might be worth exploring:

Moscato Vineyards Unanime
Radius Cabernet or Red blend
Duca Cardinal Sweet Red

 

[300winemag]

Well I think it’s kinda crazy to buy expensive wine but perfectly acceptable to spend lots on expensive guns and more ammo. I buy Amarone juice from Italy and Cabernet and Merlot juice from California in 6 gallon buckets. Pay about $5- $6.00 per bottle then make about 50 -60 gallons of homemade that usually turns out pretty good and has no added sulfites. I switched to all magnum bottles cause the only real pain in the ass is washing bottles. That’s where the 300 wine mag came from. I think you should start trying $10-20 bottles and find something you like and spend the rest on guns and ammo and hunting trips and good whiskey or rum.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

19 crimes by the case...



Cheers, Sirhr

 

[Soulezoo]

Well I think it’s kinda crazy to buy expensive wine but perfectly acceptable to spend lots on expensive guns and more ammo. I buy Amarone juice from Italy and Cabernet and Merlot juice from California in 6 gallon buckets. Pay about $5- $6.00 per bottle then make about 50 -60 gallons of homemade that usually turns out pretty good and has no added sulfites. I switched to all magnum bottles cause the only real pain in the ass is washing bottles. That’s where the 300 wine mag came from. I think you should start trying $10-20 bottles and find something you like and spend the rest on guns and ammo and hunting trips and good whiskey or rum.

I am blessed to enjoy the best of all that (whiskey and rum included).

So what's your real point?

Go be poor somewhere else.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Booms Farm, all day.

Good Gawd man... if you are going to be all cheap wine snob... please at least get the name right. Boone’s Farm. Their claret is remarkably appalling and they have a Chardonnay that is the color of urine from a dehydrated Marine.

Don’t forget Ripple and Plane wine. Also Cisco and Night train!

cheers, Sirhr

 

[Soulezoo]

Hey let's not forget Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) and "Cham-pipple"!!!
There's Thunderbird for good measure too.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Good Gawd man... if you are going to be all cheap wine snob... please at least get the name right. Boone’s Farm. Their claret is remarkably appalling and they have a Chardonnay that is the color of urine from a dehydrated Marine.

Don’t forget Ripple and Plane wine. Also Cisco and Night train!

cheers, Sirhr

Had to go back and fix it lol, my iPhone and it’s autocorrect got me again.

That stuff is up there with Mad Dog 20/20 and 4LOKO, plus your honorable mentions I’ve never tried thankfully.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Well I think it’s kinda crazy to buy expensive wine but perfectly acceptable to spend lots on expensive guns and more ammo. I buy Amarone juice from Italy and Cabernet and Merlot juice from California in 6 gallon buckets. Pay about $5- $6.00 per bottle then make about 50 -60 gallons of homemade that usually turns out pretty good and has no added sulfites. I switched to all magnum bottles cause the only real pain in the ass is washing bottles. That’s where the 300 wine mag came from. I think you should start trying $10-20 bottles and find something you like and spend the rest on guns and ammo and hunting trips and good whiskey or rum.

When I was in Italy a year ago on the MonteCassino conflict archaeology dig, we went in to a little roadside grocery/hardware/lumber/shoe/liquor/candy store.

In the back were two 40 gallon(ish) vertical cisterns full of local red. You filled your container for a euro a liter. Cash n carry. Some kind of local cianti.

it was good. Though I think there was a rat floating in the tub.

Bottle of local red at hotel was 2 Euros. It was damn good. My bar bill at the end of two weeks was less than I’d have paid for three bottles of Aussie stuff at home.

Sirhr

 

[Soulezoo]

When I was in Italy a year ago on the MonteCassino conflict archaeology dig, we went in to a little roadside grocery/hardware/lumber/shoe/liquor/candy store.

In the back were two 40 gallon(ish) vertical cisterns full of local red. You filled your container for a euro a liter. Cash n carry. Some kind of local cianti.

it was good. Though I think there was a rat floating in the tub.

Bottle of local red at hotel was 2 Euros. It was damn good. My bar bill at the end of two weeks was less than I’d have paid for three bottles of Aussie stuff at home.

Sirhr

Chianti is the wine that comes from specifically the Chianti region of Italy. Much like sparkling wine can't be called champagne unless it's made in the Champagne region of France.

Chianti is most usually made from the Sangiovese grape. Although some vintners will blend small amounts of other grapes, such as Montepulciano, to obtain a certain taste profile.

 

[goosed]

Good Gawd man... if you are going to be all cheap wine snob... please at least get the name right. Boone’s Farm. Their claret is remarkably appalling and they have a Chardonnay that is the color of urine from a dehydrated Marine.

Don’t forget Ripple and Plane wine. Also Cisco and Night train!

cheers, Sirhr

Oh no... not night train!

We used to buy that junk by the case. Made a game out of passing a bottle(s) around the room to the song night train and who ever ends up with the bottle(s) at the end of the song had to finish whatever was left.

Was never fun when you got stuck with a nearly full bottle, but always funny when someone else got stuck with it

 

[kenny1773]

I only drink fine wines made by Ernest and Julio Gallo

 

[Soulezoo]

I only drink fine wines made by Ernest and Julio Gallo

They are both dead.

Besides, everyone knows the grapes from around Lodi (CA) are harsh.

 

[TheGerman]

And here I was, thinking this thread was where you went to call a MOFO out.

 

[Soulezoo]

And here I was, thinking this thread was where you went to call a MOFO out.

You mean like dude in the other thread that went on for pages stringing us all along waiting for fireworks and dumbassary?

 

[TheGerman]

Yes, also known henceforth as Corporal Shitpost

 

[Soulezoo]

Yes, also known henceforth as Corporal Shitpost

Corporal huh? That's giving a lot of credit. I was thinking slicksleeve myself.

 

[Jscb1b]

When I was in Italy a year ago on the MonteCassino conflict archaeology dig, we went in to a little roadside grocery/hardware/lumber/shoe/liquor/candy store.

In the back were two 40 gallon(ish) vertical cisterns full of local red. You filled your container for a euro a liter. Cash n carry. Some kind of local cianti.

it was good. Though I think there was a rat floating in the tub.

Bottle of local red at hotel was 2 Euros. It was damn good. My bar bill at the end of two weeks was less than I’d have paid for three bottles of Aussie stuff at home.

Sirhr

The rat was for flavor.

 

[krw]

I remember how depressed I got when Boone’s Farm quit making Sun Peak Peach. A very dark time. So now when I want to splurge on a “good” wine, I buy Post’s Blue Parachute. ?

 

[Smoketheclay]

View attachment 7285208

What’s your opinion on Vivino and their discount wines

 

[Ranger Bob]

Almost the top shelf in our cooler.

 

[Soulezoo]

What’s your opinion on Vivino and their discount wines

Well, it's a crapshoot. First, I want to make clear that I have little experience with them (I don't need them) so treat this as an unqualified opinion.

A lot of the wines they offer are available near you often at the same or lower price. Their low price promises are hit and miss. The reviews are by just regular folks who generally don't know the first thing about "wine". However that doesn't mean that the best sommeliers are going to steer you right either. Only you know what you like. At least the Somm's know what's what. You can take a firmly structured Grand Vin Bordeaux that experts rate in the high 90's that maybe you don't like because of the tannin level but you do like Radius Merlot at $10 because it's "jammy". (Jammy is usually a pejorative in wine tasting). So not knowing you or your tastes, I couldn't make that recommendation nor could I steer you away from it.
Sorry....