The Wine Thread

[Snyder]

Taking the advice Andrea, I'm starting a wine thread. Of course it has to be in the "Bar in Grill " section!!

So, I'm not really big on the hipness of wine when it comes to picking out aromas, flavors, and all of that. I know the differences between the types of wine, grapes, what tannin is, the basics of making wine, and that little pieces of cork get stuck in your throat hehe One thing I know is wine that I personally like and my reasonings and prefer recommendations over blind faith. So with that, I figure we could kick this thread of with recommendations, favorites, or just randomness :) \


I'm on a budget, so I go for the $10-$20 bottles. I have found that the reds from Penfold's are great, especially the Koonunga Hills Shiraz-Cabernet series. It's an Australian wine and has good flavor. The Rawsons Retreat Shiraz-Cabernet is very good as well, but has a stronger tannin flavor. Australia has some good wines, as does New Zealand.

This weeks recommendation is: Penfold's Koonunga Hills Shiraz-Cabernet -- $8-$12
(If anyone gets it I would love to hear if my tastes are palatable to others)

[Liz Witham - filmmaker]

Great idea to start this wine thread. I just finished editing short film on a wine-tasting here on the Vineyard. Once I put it online, I'll post here in case anyone is interested. That wine tasting covered Tandem Wines, which I had the pleasure of sampling during the shoot. It's a very hard to find wine, and it's not cheap, but if you ever see a bottle or see it on a menu, it's worth trying. The winemaker doesn't grow the grapes - he selects the best fruit from a number of wine-growing families all over California.

I am going to try the Cabernet you suggested next time I go to the package store. Often I get what I already know I like, or I find something with a label that looks interesting and try it. Having a recommendation is a good thing.

[Kelly Ames Smith]

Gave up wine for Lent...:(
But am dreaming of Easter feast! :)

Here are some we like that are not too pricey:
These are all rather Plebian and the kinds of wines in which you may over indulge bc they are yummy and not too pricey ans so can be plentiful
We love Markham Merlot--so so yummy
I love Chardonnay-- ( I know, so uncool but I do) and I am talking California Chardonnay ( or Australia)
the waaayy uncool kind in the foodie world....tata said, how can yo ubeat Cakebread Cellars? But that is pricey-- so..Rodney Storng and I actualy love Bogle which is only 10 bucks a pop and so tasty.

Love SV from New Zealand-- almost any that I have tried that makes it to these shores is delicious-- grassy and fresh tasting and unlike any other flavor

Love A-Z shiraz....

Need Coffee now to offset early AM Lenten craving for the grape!!!












We love Markham




We

[Snyder]

I had my eye on a bottle of Bogle actually. The label caught my eye. I will have to try that next week :)

[Andrea Kreuzhage]

I used to love wine and drank quite a bit (about a glass every couple of days, more with a good meal), but lately, that is for the last two years, for some reason I just don't drink any alc, other than a few sips at exciting parties where everyone drinks. I usually bring a bottle or two of Prosecco and/or very dry sparkling wine, which I buy for under $10 at Wholefoods. I'll share names and labels as soon as I get to the store. There are two kinds, and everyone seems to love them. Also fail save: Coppola Merlot. At Trader Joe's for about $13 (last time I checked) and always good.

In the late 80s, I worked on an international TV series, "The Wine Makers." I will dig up some infos on that and share.

What's your opinion on cork vs. screw cap? (I'm all for screw caps, especially for the really expensive bottles!) Here's the Wikipedia entry for some stats and facts...

[Kelly Ames Smith]

actually I was wrong-- it is A to Z 2007 Pinot Noir--

( recommend watching "Sideways" whilst imbibing...

verrry tasty / bit hard to find

also it is NZ Sauvngnon Blancs that I like....Cloudy Bay is a nice one but in all honesty have yet to find one that doesn't appeal! ( funny thing is like it better and better as I drink it!)

[Snyder]

I got a bottle of Bogle Chardonnay vin. 2007 yesterday. I've never been a big fan of chardonnays, as most of the ones I have tried have been very bitter and dry, but this one is quite delicious and easy on the palette.

[Snyder]

Some wines to check out:

McWilliams Chardonnay (Australian)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer (Washington state)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris

[Liz Witham - filmmaker]

Thanks for the suggestions. I need to figure out how to remember to write these down before I go to the package store next time. I have been drinking Frey recently, white and red. It is organic. Have you ever tried it?

[Snyder]

I haven't. I dont know if they have that around here. Kentucky has weird and very strict laws on importing wines from outside of the state; from what I understand, most wineries don't want to pay the taxes or go threw the legal stuff to do it. I will check it out and if they have it, I will get it.

[Kelly Ames Smith]

Frey is a Gallo brand ( my Nashua Niece is the regional Sales Mgr for Gallo! She will be happy to know you like)
xo WE love Markham Merlot ---but it stains my teeth , so white is my option. Cakebread Cellars is the one that is the real $ treat for me.... but too expensive to emjoy too often. (which is a good thing, I suppose)

[Kelly Ames Smith]

re the laws-- it is always so annoying how every state has a different law. Some states, you can buy a good wine at Costco, others, you have to go through the state Militia to buy a bottle of box wine... what gives? Ct, we have the Blue Laws,.... crazy laws, the Blue Laws. MV, here dry, there wet, who knows? Sunday, you can drink but you cannot buy in Ct, but head over to New Jersey and you can. Kind of nuts, yes?

[Snyder]

It's all insane. Kentucky has dry, wet, and moist counties and limits on production. It's ironic that a lot of the bourbon distillers make their products in dry counties. Wine though falls into a whole realm upon itself that is twisted and complicated...ruining my chance to explore smaller wineries from around the States/World. Maybe this is my excuse to go on road trips. :)