The wine thread

[volchef]

For all of you other ABCers out there.

A couple of things...if you drink and enjoy either white zinfandel or the vast majority of California Chardonnay, may I suggest starting a Natural Light thread?
For you others...the screw, the rubber cork, or the old fashioned way? I tend to be reticent to change, but the new synthetics offer some advantages and a good argument could sway me.

My favorites this summer:

Red: malbec very slighty chilled. Avoid Chile and opt for the far superior ones from Argentina.

White: vinho verde. This slightly effervescent Spanish varietal ranges from green stone fruit to musky. Simply delightful. The Pinot grigio rage is over.

Sparkling: brut rose. If it doesn't say brut on the bottle or costs less than $20 and comes from Italy or Australia avoid it like Woodbrige white zinfandel. Good ones can be expensive, but Perrier and Jouet's one priced around $45 is a nice special occasion alternative to chandon. Highly recommended.

[GhenghisVol]

If anybody understands what you just said they are welcome to comment.

I dont know anybody that drinks white zin, but I do know there are several California Chards that are excellent. I prefer Washington state Chards myself.

Spanish wines are terrible. The only thing I drink in proximity is Vintage Port, and only certain years. 77' is my favorite year, and I've horded a case of Graham's 77 for a special occasion and its on on chill. Italian wine is dogshit, use for cooking only unless you're mixing your Riunite with your Budweiser, then its ok.

[volchef]

Ha! Spanish wines used to be shit. Italian Barolos are some of the most complex and delicious wines in the world. Europe, believe it or not still does some things exceptionally well, but they tend to keep them a secret from our markets. There are some good white varietals in Spain.....vinho verde typically runs under $15 Gheng and I really think you would enjoy them.

Washington State Chardonnay is very good. The difference from California? Stainless steel fermentation or Aged French Oak Barrels. California vineyards choose to use American Oak which has a very astringent quality. If you want to taste Chardonnay in its purest form, go with one aged in stainless steel and grown in a cooler climate. White Burgundy's from France are also predominately Chardonnay and very good as opposed to the often terribly over oaked Californians. Deep Golden color is discouraged in young white wines.....the really good ones are pale yellow to straw green.

Oh and I was referring to the new synthetic corks and screw caps as opposed to the old fashioned cork and ABC does not refer to the liquor store chain, but to Anything But Chardonnay.

[GhenghisVol]

I totally prefer Washington Chards for that reason.

I'm too old and too prejudiced now to ever give Spanish or Italian wines a shot. There's a few Tuscany reds I like but thats it.

Used to be a wine snob.....French mainly. Now I just drink what I like. If you locked me away for a 100 years and said Ghenghis, I'm going to grant you one wish it would be that you delivered a truckful of Columbia Crest Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cab to my cell. Then I could survive.

[BillVol]

I will take Chilean wines anytime over Argentinian. Just because Chile is home -- second home -- in my heart.

I'm curious, volchef: Exactly why do you say to shun Chilean wines? Give me the details now!

[GhenghisVol]

Well Chilean wines are inferior to even Australian wines Bill.

Whats your connection to Chile? I spent some time down there
in the 80's.

[volchef]

I will take Chilean wines anytime over Argentinian. Just because Chile is home -- second home -- in my heart.

I'm curious, volchef: Exactly why do you say to shun Chilean wines? Give me the details now!

I wasn't shunning chilean wines as much as this paricular varietal where the climate is better suited in Argentina. Chile and Argentina are both enjoying a renaissance in wine circles now, but both of these locales are great drinkers of their own wines, thus their exports are somewhat limited. Generally speaking most of what is available on American shelves is inferior to what is available there.

[VaVol]

Virginia wines are very good (just sayin').

[aadicof]

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:1wSHBbTkep-feM:http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/082908_sideways.jpg

I am NOT drinking any fucking merlot!

[Tnphil]

First I am not a wine drinker...but my wife is and I par-take some... My son put us onto a very good wine a few weeks back and it is from Chile....

Its: Casillero Del Diablo...Carmenere.....

[BillVol]

http://www.atlantawineschool.com/winereviews/janesweeklywines.php

Here's a good link to wine info.

[GhenghisVol]

Bill this is the best resource I know online. Too bad they dont have stores in TN. This place is like a Walmart of wine.

http://www.totalwine.com/StoreList.aspx?state=NC&store=601

[volchef]

Yes Gheng, total wines is amazing. The only real flaw I have with them is that they offer the shittiest grappa selection in the world. I am personally not a big grappa fan, but my dad is. I shouldn't be reduced to going to Gulf Wines And Spirits in Miami to get a good selection. While I agree that drinking grappa is like drinking battery acid splashed with a bit of bitters, it is, none the less, a product of the vine, so total wine should make an effort to educate.

[GhenghisVol]

I dont even know what that is. Doesnt sound like we're missing out on much.

[Tnphil]

got sick on Boone's Farm when you were in your teen's??? Fess up....

[GhenghisVol]

Oh yeah, Strawberry Hill. 3 bottle a day habit 2 1/2 down my neck, the other 1/2 in my bong.

My favorite however was Bali Hai. That shit was great, and at about 0.85/ bottle was quite frugal too. We would extend its life by pouring in a can of Bud when it got half full.

I think Arbor Mist comes as close to being a modern version of that stuff, but I wouldnt go near that shit in a hazmat suit. Also went through a brief Mad Dog period I dont want to talk about.

The houseboy at the ATO house had a Schlitz can he cut the top off of and he would sit at the door and everybody that walked by would pour something in his can, it ranged from 5 varieties of beer, wine, bourbon, and a lot of gin and grapefruit. I thought he had died one night sitting on that stool but nobody offered to resuscitate him. Never saw him again after that session.

[Tnphil]

Oh yeah, Strawberry Hill. 3 bottle a day habit 2 1/2 down my neck, the other 1/2 in my bong.

My favorite however was Bali Hai. That shit was great, and at about 0.85/ bottle was quite frugal too. We would extend its life by pouring in a can of Bud when it got half full.

I think Arbor Mist comes as close to being a modern version of that stuff, but I wouldnt go near that shit in a hazmat suit. Also went through a brief Mad Dog period I dont want to talk about.

The houseboy at the ATO house had a Schlitz can he cut the top off of and he would sit at the door and everybody that walked by would pour something in his can, it ranged from 5 varieties of beer, wine, bourbon, and a lot of gin and grapefruit. I thought he had died one night sitting on that stool but nobody offered to resuscitate him. Never saw him again after that session.

I was in the store the other day and in the cooler there it was...Boone's Farm... I could not believe they still make that stuff... Got sick as a dog on it one night about 38 years ago and I turned alittle white when i saw it in that cooler last week.....

O'yes Schlitz..that brings back the memories as does Falstaff.....And believe it or not I drank a PBR the other night here at Buffalo Wild Wings....the bartender there said it was making a comeback

[GhenghisVol]

Good idea for a new thread.

The only thing I absolutely cannot go near is Southern Comfort, and I sure aint soaking my butts in that shit.

[volchef]

I dont even know what that is. Doesnt sound like we're missing out on much.

Ha Ha Ha. I guess it wouldn't help matters much on the grappa front if I were to tell you it's Italian would it? :rotfl:


Strawberry Wine? Really? Do you still have penises? :nana:

[volchef]

Good idea for a new thread.

The only thing I absolutely cannot go near is Southern Comfort, and I sure aint soaking my butts in that shit.

Ha. So Co does indeed mostly taste like shit. And it's not a butt, but a whole hog.... one small bottle in a large fucking vat o ice and water ghengy. It was kind of an experiment that worked out rather well, because it added just a hint of sweet under the smoke and I don't like sugar in my barbecue...

[GhenghisVol]

You must have missed the Hippy era. Nothing went better with Windowpane than Boones Farm fill in the blank.

[volchef]

I am a product of the Hippy Era and probably a bottle or two of Boone's Farm. Does that count? :)

[Tnphil]

I am a product of the Hippy Era and probably a bottle or two of Boone's Farm. Does that count? :)

Boones Farm.....made a bad date end on a good note after about 2 bottles :)

[volchef]

Boones Farm.....made a bad date end on a good note after about 2 bottles :)

Hee Hee. Did a bad date REALLY became good? Or was it still a bad date, but you were pleased to find out that you still had a penis? :rotfl: