Question about Wine

[Tom Earp]

Good wine does not have to be expensive or a big name of sorts.

There are many really great wines out there that are not gong to either break you or make an impression to some people.

A good wine is a good wine no matter what.

A bad wine that is dry is not sour. A wine that has gone bad is viniger.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Good wine does not have to be expensive or a big name of sorts.

There are many really great wines out there that are not gong to either break you or make an impression to some people.

A good wine is a good wine no matter what.

A bad wine that is dry is not sour. A wine that has gone bad is viniger.

I am sure this is of great help to the original poster!

[shinerbock]

Some red is a very broad guideline...I love red wine, but prefer to give non-bottle gifts...a nice pull, (I'm giving a few screwpull trilogy corkscrews this year), glasses, etc...However, I like trying different things, so whenever some body gives me bottles as a gift I always enjoy it. Of course you'd probably want to give something unique, but most any decent wine shop can help you pick out a bottle or two your friend likely hasn't tried yet.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I am sure this is of great help to the original poster!

Yes it is actually!

People who conider themselves as wine snobs so to speak look for the big named high priced wines to show their friends.

In private tastings in Napa and Sanoma distric of Cal. the Charrdanay had such a difference in taste that it was mind numbing.

The wine business has changed so much in the last few years it is unconciviable for many people.

Hell, I had many first growth French Bourdeauxs in my collection, it was not funny.

But guess what, if you do not drink them then it is grape juice in the friggen bottle. Nice to look at and brag about unless you are a wine merchant.

So what do you know about wines?

I worked for a California Winery, owned a Liquor Store, ran a state part of a wholesaler, was with the Gallo Division of a wholesaler, and the Import Division of a Distillery, am a personel friend of a Kansas Vineyard owner who has won many awards from all over the world.

Wine prices are getting ridicioulous anymore.

Buy a decent wine that can be consumed soon and just enjoy it!

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

The wine business has changed so much in the last few years it is unconciviable for many people.

It might be helpful to explain this assertion.

Total bottles produced has vastly outstripped demand recently - in fact, many Australian vintners are literally sitting on millions of bottles. This has led to a drop in overall quality across the board (according to some), but has also allowed for many smaller, less expensive brands to 'catch up' in quality. Price and name recognition are not really important to most people with a refined palette - keep that in mind when shopping.

So yeah - bargains are available, but you'll really need to do the work. It's a tough racket to keep up on, as well.

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

But guess what, if you do not drink them then it is grape juice in the friggen bottle. Nice to look at and brag about unless you are a wine merchant.

This actually isn't true at all, and you know it - purchasing a bottle for cellar is perfectly acceptable, and some bottles/varietals won't reach peak for years.

However, the vast majority of bottles for sale (regardless of price) are meant to enjoy immediately - in fact, many will degenerate over time. Unless you know what you're doing, don't keep a bottle to 'age' . . . most simply won't.

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Wine prices are getting ridicioulous anymore.

Buy a decent wine that can be consumed soon and just enjoy it!

Actually I think prices now are the lowest they've ever been, for the mid-range wines most people desire - see my first point above.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Yes it is actually!

Dude, she asked "what is a good red wine?" Did you name a good red wine? Did you provide any information on how to find a good red wine? Did you discuss what makes a wine "good" in terms of quality? Did you mention resources for finding good wine?

No, you didn't. If you have an extensive knowledge of wine, why don't you post something specific enough to be helpful?

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Dude, she asked "what is a good red wine?" Did you name a good red wine? Did you provide any information on how to find a good red wine? Did you discuss what makes a wine "good" in terms of quality? Did you mention resources for finding good wine?

No, you didn't. If you have an extensive knowledge of wine, why don't you post something specific enough to be helpful?

OOPs, My Bad.

Any Nappa or Sanoma Valley Reds are good.

Or actually try any Gallo red wine in the vintage division as cheaper than the Bouteque vineyards.

So, place your Favs if you have any knowledge.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

OOPs, My Bad.

Any Nappa or Sanoma Valley Reds are good.

Delightful - this should make her trip to view the approximately 1300000 wines from that region fruitful.

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Or actually try any Gallo red wine in the vintage division as cheaper than the Bouteque vineyards.

So, place your Favs if you have any knowledge.

I assume you're referring to the Gallo labels that happen to not be named 'Gallo' so more specificity might be good here - Apanumu and Marcelina, for example (but probably not Indigo Hills). I'm sure all of these are far below the price range she's looking for.

If you're looking for a nice $100 bottle, you should check out your local vendors - they'll be able to hook you up, and availability is not consistent nationwide. There are dozens of great labels, and without knowing specific tastes, few can hook you up here.

[valkyrie]

Fat Bastard!

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Delightful - this should make her trip to view the approximately 1300000 wines from that region fruitful.



I assume you're referring to the Gallo labels that happen to not be named 'Gallo' so more specificity might be good here - Apanumu and Marcelina, for example (but probably not Indigo Hills). I'm sure all of these are far below the price range she's looking for.

OMG, if he's seriously suggesting Gallo as in Ernest and Julio, I WILL DIE.

Earp, sometimes people want to drink wine that doesn't come in a box.

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As for real suggestions, there are a few Barolos that are amazing and many of the snottiest wine snobs I know drool over them. You can usually get them for an average of $80 a bottle. I bought a bottle for my grad advisor a year and a half ago.

I went on a wine tour of some vineyards in Long Island last month, and they had some great ice wines (one has a German name that I don't want to misspell). I don't think California makes many of the top top ice wines, since there are a couple that really suck. That's my suggestion for a good white.