Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

No point in apologizing, IMO, we all drink what we like. I was as skeptical as the next guy when Mollydooker came out and yet when I tasted it the first time I really liked it. Not that I bought any after that, but it was enjoyable that night. Some days, depending on mood and company, even swill will taste great (I am NOT calling Mollydooker swill!) and on some night even your most prized wine collection may taste like crap.

As for alcohol, its a long and drawn out discussion on all levels for a number of years now. Too bad that a good number of those who are opposed to high alcohol, primarily wine retailers and restaurateurs, are so poorly educated on the subject since a good number of French/Italian wines they sell are actually way higher in alcohol than what is stated on labels. So, the old adage of "If a tree falls..." works here as well, as long as they don't know what is REALLY in the bottle, they spend the time talking down to you about the "benefits" of low alcohol wines. Like I said above, I'e had low alc wines where the first thing I experienced was alcohol and I have had almost 17% reds where it did not. If you ever find a bottle of Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zin, from a GOOD vintage only, you will understand how little alcohol will "interfere" with the enjoyment, the wine is simply amazing.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I like American oak, as long as it's not overdone. :2

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I've been dealing with BBSs and later internet forums since the mid-late 80's and it still never ceases to amaze me how mixed up things can get in posts because people communicate differently. Technical facts get taken as negative critiques, sarcasm as attacks, miscommunication turn into fights, opinions are taken as challenges...

Screw this, I'm going to go get a bottle of MD20/20 Blue Kiwi wine and see if the flavor is improved by drinking it out of stemware.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Better yet, use a cut off one liter bottle, cap side, inverted, (cap on, of course)
much better Nose that way, and the sharper edges of the unpolished PET plastic help the far too soft roundness and sweetness of that vintage. Don't fill it more than half full, it's considered declasse.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

You didn't comment on the wine. Your reply included a modified quoted post that said "off to a good start" .
Your response was "If one doesn't mind the presence of American Oak barrels" Your statement was an indirect comment about the wine but saying that the list would then NOT be off to a good start.

If you wanted to comment on the wine, just say so. Commenting that the list is NOT off to a good start is totally different.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Simply to indicate which post I was responding to. Take a look at my posts, I NEVER modify anyone's post, never did nor have any inclination to do so since they not my posts. I may bold something in a post I am responding to, but NEVER change any content.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I'm drinking Rosemount
Shiraz 07

Kinda light and lightly fruity....any comments on this?

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Do you like it?


If you do?







It's a good/great/wonderful wine.




;)


I have had a bottle or two of the Aussie stuff. Enjoyed it too. But what do I know?

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

You thought that was light? Fruit forward indeed.

Jacob's Creek is another similar wine/price point you may want to consider. Their cab-shiraz blend adds more dimension than just straight shiraz. Thorne Clarke is another big one. I bought a case of JC for a give-away a few years ago and I am quite pleased how it has matured! Not many would bother, but for a $60 case, why not give it a gamble?

A wonderful step up is the Woodcutter's Reserve Shiraz which is I think is under $20.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

OK maybe it wasn't too light because I slept like a baby...13% :r

I might be confusing light as overall flavoring and spice...ugh so much to learn...

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Yeah, like full bodied-strong tasting. I can never get that nailed down. To me, light would be thinner and more subtle with less oak.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Light means in taste, color, and/or body.

Aussie wines are none of those.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Thinner! That's what I meant by light. ;s

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I just opened a bottle of some swill called Henry's Drive 2006 Shiraz that is god awful. I aint no expert but I am thinking it is heavy (and I mean heavy) on the oak and tannins. Absolutely would not give you a nickel for another bottle. Thank the Lord that it was free.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Forgot to mention that it's Australian.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Maybe I just thought I was a heavyweight and am in fact a lightweight.:r

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I lost patience reading all the posts, so if this is redundant, please forgive this old codger....
Good red wines that are quite inexpensive can be found from Washington State. Try some of the Columbia Crest or Hogue wines. I'm particularly fond of the Columbia Crest Merlot/Cab blend (Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon), & Shiraz. The C.C. Cabernet Sauvignon by itself is kind of weak. Also, try some of the Alexander Valley (California) Pinot Noirs. Castle Rock is very good & can be had for about $12/bottle.:)

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Thanks for the info.:tu

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Greg, I don't think there was a need to. :D

I do like a number of OZ wines, but they are either obscure/not widely available or expensive as hell (try Clarendon Hills for size). Anything below $10-12 price point, I stay away from, Far away.

See if you can find a bottle of Bogle Petite Sirah in your neck of the woods. Should be around $12 (or maybe even cheaper, I've seen a number of CA wines selling for less in FL than here). Come to think of it, any Bogle or Sebastiani offerings should provide for a clean, well made wine at an affordable price.

Also, one bottle you really need to try, especially with summer time coming, is Bonny Doon Pacific Reisling, just slightly chilled. Not the Icewine you had, but a great wine as aperitif as well as with food (Asian or some spice). And I have seen it sell at $8 per in FL (Miami area). If that is not abailable, try Fetzer Gewurtztramminer or Beringer Moscato (both in the $6 range), but that Bonny Doon is a great buy in all respects and beats many wines at double the price.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I appreciate the info Greg, will definately try to find these and give em a go.:tu

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Our friend from church brought us a couple of Riedell wine glasses yesterday, can't wait to try it out. I have been drinking from a plastic tumbler.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

It's a set of two Cab glasses but that will be better than palstic.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Huge difference, Greg. One of the pleasures of red wine is the nose/bouquet/aroma that can be enjoyed from a proper glass.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Kinda figured Peter, can't wait to try them out. My wife likes to drink her wine with ice, pretty sure she would be flamed here for that, so not sure if she will try them or not.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

There are some purists here that would likely chastise you/her for that. I certainly won't.
It is not the accepted way to appreciate finer wine. Temperature would be wrong and the wine would be watered down.

However, like with cigars. Drink what you like. Like what you drink.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Just to see whatever everyone else does:

Do yall have all the different kinds of glasses (cas, ports, syrah) or do ya pretty much stick with one kind and drink the different kinds from the same wine glass?

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

:r brother we aint drinking too much what you would classify as fine wine. But I like some of the cheaper stuff I have had and some of the more expensive one's have been equally bad. So I have learned that wine is like cigars, cheaper is sometime but not always good and more expensive doesn't always mean better either.:tu

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I am not that particular beyond glass and a general wine glass shape to the bowl.
Once again, purists will tell you that the proper glass is essential. But I would maintain that most (including me) would not taste an appreciable difference.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

my keyboard is dyslexic.:r

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Thanks Peter, I was scared I was going to have to get twenty three different kinds. Seriously though, I am looking forward to trying to see the diffrence in plastic and crystal.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Too funny. What I meant by "fine wine" is that it is something more than a generic table wine - although there are some of those that will surprise you. I guess another way to put it is that it is a varietal or blend of varietals specified on the bottle.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I am too much of a wine newbie to know much difference right now. I have been buying a cheap port at ABC Liquors and I like it very much. I was given a bottle of real Portugese port that really sucked.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I use to have a lot of different ones, but now I am down to a Red (cab shaped), a white (which looks bigger than many would associate with white wines except in France), port glasses, and Champagne flutes.

I would suggest:

2-4 decanters along with cheese cloth and/or unbleach muslin
Red Cab
Red Burg (rounder works with merlot too)
White Large (Chard's)
White Small with slight angled top (use for Moscato and fine Champagne)
Flutes (cheaper Champagne and parties)
Port glasses (works with schnapps and hard liquors too)

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Thanks for the info.:tu

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Greg, until recent times, and I am talking a couple of years back and maybe even these days, young affluent Chinese were mixing very expensive red French Bordeaux wines with Coke, so I guess some ice in wine is not that bad :-))

Go to any Barrel & Crate store, they usually have a nice selection at decent prices, you should be able to find something for $5 per stem. Try
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=130&f=31655, either of the two on the bottom of the page. Buy 2 of each and taste from them side by side, see how shapes and volume make a difference. If you drink Pinot Noi, then Burgundy shape (bottom of page) is a "requirement" :-))

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Thanks Greg, i'll see if i can get some of those.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Just for the record I drank some of this from a Riedell wine glass and guess what? It still sucks big time.:td

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Greg,

First Law of organic chemistry: If you mix a pound of fruit jam and a pound of crap, you end up with 2 pounds of crap. (Nice glass or not.)

OZ wine sales dropped 25% last year and still going South with increasing speed. Now you know why.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Really? That is a good brand too. For Austrailian wine lovers, this brand is recommended. I can't believe I am reading this after all the positive comments said here on Austrailian wine.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Moses, please don't go by just my opinion please. I am definately not an expert. I can say it tasted like crap to me though, and I like full bodied reds but this is just a bad taste to me. I know lots of folks prolly like it, but it just isn't something I can take. Actually kinda left a nauseous feeling on my stomach after only drinking about 6 or 8 ounces.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Was able to buy a bottle each of Fetzer Gewurtztramminer and Beringer Moscato at the local Wal-mart. I think the Moscato was like 4 bucks and the Fetzer was like 12 bucks. I like em ok, but the wife really likes the moscato. Also have some moscato and rieslings coming from our friend at church. I find that I like the free stuff really good (just kidding, but free is good) I think I will be with wine like I am with cigars. Will prolly have a few that I always go back to but will continue to sample and try different kinds and brands.:tu

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Can any of you wine nerds recco a good Pinot Noir? Under $20 preferably. Going to a wine party tonight and would like to take a couple bottles of decent booze and leave the Franzia at home :-)

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

Well..I ended up with a Bogle Petite Syrah, and 2 Pinot Noirs- Battle Creek 2007 and Castle Rock Columbia Valley 2007. ALL were freakin fantastic.

Re: Starting to like wine...the Red version
 

I hope this thread can get going again.

1)Torres Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon
2)St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel
3)Saint Cosme Côte du Rhône


My question...Can anyone list some great value bordeaux from 2005?