The PF wine thread

[okie john]

One more: We like a nice chilled Chardonnay; this is our current go-to:

https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white...oast/p/4056750

If you like La Crema, try this one: https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white...7&igrules=true


Okie John

[okie john]

Seems like a timely thread, as I have just completed my dinner with a glass of '14 Sonoma pinot.

I spend a good amount of money, and some amount of time, on this, making a point of visiting wine making areas every few years or so. Willamette and Napa Valleys, Columbia River gorge area stateside, Loire Valley in France within last several years. In whites, I like dry light to medium Savignon Blanc at over $20 per bottle range, New Zealand maybe, and a good Viognier, or upper end whites from Vouvray, maybe because I visited their place. Reds are more complicated, but if I'd pick one, it would be a higher end Willamette or Napa pinot noir, Soter or Cakebread come to mind, simply because I can have it with just about any food from sweet stuff all the way to steak, although it might be too light for steak. I literally never had a bad wine in Spain in several visits there, and Rioja is a solid choice for me as well.

With all that, I can't say that I am much of the expert. It is like porn, I know it when I see it. I find it easier to become somewhat competent in whisky; wines require a bit more knowledge and a bit less proletarian palate than mine.

I went to Napa with Ms. Okie John last summer. We only had time to hit six wineries but I'm pretty sure we hit the right six. The wines were astonishing and less expensive than I expected. The best ones are only sold through each winery's proprietary wine club or on the estate.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd limit my visits to the wineries that require a reservation. The ones that are open to the public tend to get super busy so it can be like standing in a packed bar. Also, a surprising number of them offer a substantial military discount.


Okie John

[luckyman]

Just had these; they were both good:

[HilaJ]

It's worth trying some dry reds from time to time. Your taste will change over time, and the sweeter wines will loose their appeal. Some good varietals for a gateway dry red are California Zinfandel (most have some residual sugar, especially the cheaper ones), South American Malbec, and wines from Amador County in California. Amador wines tend to be on the sweeter side, as the temperatures are hotter there and the grapes tend to get riper (more sugar). Next time you are in your Costco or wherever, grab a few bottles of the above at price you like. Check them out. If you have one you can't stand, you can mix it with red sweet vermouth and ice. Get a better vermouth, like Martini and Rossi, skip Gallo.

It’s true. In my early 20’s I was introduced to wine via Moscato. It was too sweet for my liking after several months and now will never go back. Drier the better these days. No one ever says that about much.

Edit: It’s worth mentioning to wine noobs that there is a great app called Vivino. You can literally take a picture of the label, it will find you the average price, and it’s rating, and tell you more about the wine.

Also worth mentioning, I’m not a big wine-o, but Aldi has some surprisingly okay wines. A novice wine drinker not looking to spend $15-$30 on a bottle just to try it could go here. Even the Aldi owl brand wines that are $2.50/bottle taste just as good as some $15 bottles I’ve purchased. Know that some $30 dollar bottles taste like some $13 bottles.


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[jwperry]

Also worth mentioning, I’m not a big wine-o, but Aldi has some surprisingly okay wines. A novice wine drinker not looking to spend $15-$30 on a bottle just to try it could go here. Even the Aldi owl brand wines that are $2.50/bottle taste just as good as some $15 bottles I’ve purchased. Know that some $30 dollar bottles taste like some $13 bottles.


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Aldi had one in a box, that was around $10, which was pretty awesome. We bought the stock out of our local store and gave them out as Christmas gifts. I think each box was about 3 bottles worth of volume.

We (well the wife) tried the chocolate wine Aldi carries. That was weird and not very good.

[Cheap Shot]

'A man can never have too much red wine, too many books or too much ammunition'
Rudyard Kipling

Words to live by

[gomerpyle]

So I need a good Malbec, $10-$15 or so.

We bought one somewhere or other, pretty sure it was this one:

https://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-w...ec/p/132235750

Very nice; not as robust as a Cab but a bit more complex than a Merlot. Very drinkable.

Any other suggestions? This one seems hard to find locally to me...

A few dollars more than your requested price point-Colome or Amalaya. High altitude malbecs that Express the more alluring, sensual side of the varital. Floral, fruit driven, and long on the finis

[blues]

A few dollars more than your requested price point-Colome or Amalaya. High altitude malbecs that Express the more alluring, sensual side of the varital. Floral, fruit driven, and long on the finis

I just had to quote that for P-F posterity...

[gomerpyle]

I just had to quote that for P-F posterity...

I work in the wine industry - email marketing. I write wine copy for a living

Colome is awesome juice

J

[blues]

I work in the wine industry - email marketing. I write wine copy for a living

Colome is awesome juice

J

Alright, I forgive you. (Now go back and correct the spelling of varietal. )