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Wines, favorite countries/styles

jimbo said:
Kim Crawford is excellent at its price point. About $12 at Costco.

The glass is important and totally changes the flavor. I have Reidel. 5 or 6 shapes. Worth the cost.
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Damn you guys get booze cheap down there, it's about $20 a bottle up here. Worth it, though.

Definitely re: the glass... When I got to try that ice wine I was going off about, the wine maker also demoed the glass our company had designed specifically for it. We tried the wine first out of a standard wine glass, and it was good, but damn, I'm not the type to BS about this kind of thing, again, I'm definitely not a sommelier or anything, but when he served it in the glass that was designed for it, which distributed the wine on the tongue exactly where the wine maker wanted it to go, it wasn't just noticeable, it was a totally different wine. I can't remember the name of the glass maker that they commissioned to do it, it was someone out of Italy, but the glasses were something crazy like $75 per, or something... But, if I had that kind of throw around money like that, it would be a no brainer, especially when ice wine can run into the hundreds of dollars for a bottle much smaller than a standard 750ml. I think the one I tried was around $175 for a 330ml. Working for that company definitely had some perks. hehe
 
Taylor said:
Well, after reading this, I'll have to try it! ☺ Best way to try expensive wines is to go for a tasting at the vineyard. (Or at least it used to be, tastings are getting more and more expensive.)

Hopefully a conference will bring me up there some day. Haven't been east of Calgary thus far.
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If you ever get a chance to, come see the Niagara Falls region in Ontario. Not gonna lie, the reds aren't great, a little green for the most part, our grow season is kinda quick, but great whites, and the tours they give are pretty spectacular. During that orientation trip we did the full tour at both of our vineyards out there, and it was during the harvest, so I could try the grapes right off the vine, and immediately taste the wine they were making with them. They also did single spoon food pairings at different stops along the way...they had a pretty fancy chef...hehe.. I'm a beer guy, worked in the beer industry before I moved to the wine gig, but getting out there gave me a different appreciation for it. I'm pretty chill about it, I don't know anything compared to most of the people I worked with, but it was fun to pick up a bit of knowledge.

British Columbia also has a really good wine region, if you're on the west coast, we also had vineyards out there. Never made it out there, but tried a couple bottles sent my way for this or that, and there are some tasty reds out there.
 
Quag said:
Ever tried the hot ice? Its ice wine with hot peppers.
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I had a different one but dang if you like hot peppers its crazy good.
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Wow, I can't even imagine that...and I like hot peppers... Thinking like maybe a red pepper jelly kind of thing going on?
 
OlNate said:
Damn you guys get booze cheap down there, it's about $20 a bottle up here. Worth it, though.

Definitely re: the glass... When I got to try that ice wine I was going off about, the wine maker also demoed the glass our company had designed specifically for it. We tried the wine first out of a standard wine glass, and it was good, but damn, I'm not the type to BS about this kind of thing, again, I'm definitely not a sommelier or anything, but when he served it in the glass that was designed for it, which distributed the wine on the tongue exactly where the wine maker wanted it to go, it wasn't just noticeable, it was a totally different wine. I can't remember the name of the glass maker that they commissioned to do it, it was someone out of Italy, but the glasses were something crazy like $75 per, or something... But, if I had that kind of throw around money like that, it would be a no brainer, especially when ice wine can run into the hundreds of dollars for a bottle much smaller than a standard 750ml. I think the one I tried was around $175 for a 330ml. Working for that company definitely had some perks. hehe
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Costco sells wine and beer cheap here. Wine stores can barely compete. Crawford is $20 at the local wine store.

Reidel probably designed the glasses. They're Austrian. They have a few price points. None cheap. $75 would be one step below the top. Low is around $10/stem.
 
jimbo said:
Costco sells wine and beer cheap here. Wine stores can barely compete. Crawford is $20 at the local wine store.

Reidel probably designed the glasses. They're Austrian. They have a few price points. None cheap. $75 would be one step below the top. Low is around $10/stem.
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Yup, looked it up, it's Reidel, don't know why I had it in my head that it was an Italian company that designed it. Good call! :)
 
Risky Thicket said:
Years ago somewhere in Canada one winter a waiter suggested I try an ice wine after dinner. I declined and ordered a port. The port came accompanied by an ice wine. The waiter told the bartender that I wasn't interested in trying ice wine and insisted on port. Being an excellent bartender and a proud Canadian the bartender sent the ice wine over on the house. Holy mother of Bacchus! It was one of those experiences that you will always remember.

Canadian ice wine - while not inexpensive - is an experience not to be missed. It should be on everyone's bucket list. Seriously.
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Good story! And seriously, I had the same reaction when I first tried ice wine. It's the closest my sense of taste has come to an orgasm.
 
Quag said:
Im member of a secret organization that is involved in wine smuggling ;)

Actually its a wine importation society that allows you to buy wines that you cant normally get in Canada, I just ordered some more of the Taka last week, wont get it till spring though :(
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Wow! You damn Quebecers always get away with sh**. :2razz:
 
Risky Thicket said:
Whoa! That is something I will try. Thanks for the recommendation. In fact I'll be up in Canada next year and I'll make it a point to fine hot ice wine. I'll let you know. :thumbs:
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Where are you going this time?
 
OlNate said:
Wow, I can't even imagine that...and I like hot peppers... Thinking like maybe a red pepper jelly kind of thing going on?
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Actually they do make ice wine hot pepper jelly as well. Never actually had that but I have had ice wine jelly and I make my own hot pepper jellies. They are awesome with a soft cheese like brie.
 
Middleground said:
Wow! You damn Quebecers always get away with sh**. :2razz:
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Its a national thing, you can get it in Ontario as well. Actually I have mine sent to the LCBO in Ontario because its cheaper with the taxes. Just a short drive to pick it up, Beer store takes my empties and that pays for the gas which I get for less in Ontario as well. Not everything is better on your side though, you pay a lot more for beer.

I can PM you thin info if you want
 
OlNate said:
If you ever get a chance to, come see the Niagara Falls region in Ontario. Not gonna lie, the reds aren't great, a little green for the most part, our grow season is kinda quick, but great whites, and the tours they give are pretty spectacular. During that orientation trip we did the full tour at both of our vineyards out there, and it was during the harvest, so I could try the grapes right off the vine, and immediately taste the wine they were making with them. They also did single spoon food pairings at different stops along the way...they had a pretty fancy chef...hehe.. I'm a beer guy, worked in the beer industry before I moved to the wine gig, but getting out there gave me a different appreciation for it. I'm pretty chill about it, I don't know anything compared to most of the people I worked with, but it was fun to pick up a bit of knowledge.

British Columbia also has a really good wine region, if you're on the west coast, we also had vineyards out there. Never made it out there, but tried a couple bottles sent my way for this or that, and there are some tasty reds out there.
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I suggest you try Konzelmans Pinot Noir, for the price I cant think of any better. Niagra is also the only place I have seen to get Zweigelt outside of Austria.
 
Quag said:
I suggest you try Konzelmans Pinot Noir, for the price I cant think of any better. Niagra is also the only place I have seen to get Zweigelt outside of Austria.
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Wow, a good red out of Ontario...gotta try it.

Just as I was leaving the company, they were heavily investing in thermovinification in order to combat the constant problem of green reds. It feels a bit cheater-y, but if you can make an $8 bottle of Ontario red drinkable, I guess it's worth it.
 
OlNate said:
Wow, a good red out of Ontario...gotta try it.

Just as I was leaving the company, they were heavily investing in thermovinification in order to combat the constant problem of green reds. It feels a bit cheater-y, but if you can make an $8 bottle of Ontario red drinkable, I guess it's worth it.
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If you are drinking 8$ bottles of wine we are not drinking the same stuff ;) I dont even think you can find a wine under 10$ in Quebec, even in the depanneurs!
Yes they rob us blind!
There is also some geat reds to be found in Prince Edward County, but it is very hit and miss there. Price is absolutely no indication of quality.
 
Quag said:
If you are drinking 8$ bottles of wine we are not drinking the same stuff ;) I dont even think you can find a wine under 10$ in Quebec, even in the depanneurs!
Yes they rob us blind!
There is also some geat reds to be found in Prince Edward County, but it is very hit and miss there. Price is absolutely no indication of quality.
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lol...nah, I'm not drinking the $8 VQA stuff, mainly because I'm nervous to try it, despite thermovinification. Ah well, I should get over it, if it's a miss it could always go into the next batch of spaghetti sauce.

I haven't tried much of the Prince Edward County wine, despite having recently moved to just the other side of the 401 from it. I know their vineyards got decimated a couple years back in some rather nasty ice storms, so it would be interesting to know how the recovery is. I'll admit to having gotten rather lazy with my wine selection these days - I've settled on a few brands I enjoy and buy them pretty much exclusively, as it sucks to spend money on a bottle only to find it's not my thing. Dinner parties have been my main way of discovering new wines...hehe...

I should do a wine tour out here, though, no excuse not to...I guess you just never think to sight see where you live. There is a bustling booze industry out here, though, with a lot of microbreweries and cider makers popping up as well. It's a nice place to live. :)
 
Tanngrisnir said:
There are simply too many to choose from.

Currently there are a few Lodi Cinsaults and one Cab Franc in particular, but Tablas Creek's Vermentino and amazingly soft-shouldered Tannat are also in the running.

It changes month to month.
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You know I’ve never had a cab from France 🇫🇷 We grow so much of it in Washington and then there’s a Chile 🇨🇱 cab I really like.

Never done French wine at all actually, how does it compare to other countries ?
 
EMNofSeattle said:
You know I’ve never had a cab from France ���� We grow so much of it in Washington and then there’s a Chile ���� cab I really like.

Never done French wine at all actually, how does it compare to other countries ?
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You might be misunderstanding what I referred to: Cabernet Frac is a varietal, not a wine from France. And one I prefer over the usual Cab Sauv, at that, when done right.

This is the best I've ever found from CA (yet).

https://www.reversewinesnob.com/michael-david-winery-inkblot-cabernet-franc

As far as French wine, I've actually had far less of it, having become familiar first w/CA wines, esp. SLH and the Paso area.s

I LOVE dry Alsatians, from either side of the border, and the French and Germans tend to make them to the same incredible level of quality.
 
OlNate said:
lol...nah, I'm not drinking the $8 VQA stuff, mainly because I'm nervous to try it, despite thermovinification. Ah well, I should get over it, if it's a miss it could always go into the next batch of spaghetti sauce.

I haven't tried much of the Prince Edward County wine, despite having recently moved to just the other side of the 401 from it. I know their vineyards got decimated a couple years back in some rather nasty ice storms, so it would be interesting to know how the recovery is. I'll admit to having gotten rather lazy with my wine selection these days - I've settled on a few brands I enjoy and buy them pretty much exclusively, as it sucks to spend money on a bottle only to find it's not my thing. Dinner parties have been my main way of discovering new wines...hehe...

I should do a wine tour out here, though, no excuse not to...I guess you just never think to sight see where you live. There is a bustling booze industry out here, though, with a lot of microbreweries and cider makers popping up as well. It's a nice place to live. :)
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We vacation at the sandbanks almost every year and often visit the wineries there, if not the LCBOs do cater to local production. But like I said price is absolutely no indication of quality. You have to visit a bunch to see which ones are good/not so good. The advantage of visiting is you get to try and see what you like before buying. Some wineries charge for tasting others are free (again no indication of quality). Just remember to have a designated driver ;)
 
Tanngrisnir said:
You might be misunderstanding what I referred to: Cabernet Frac is a varietal, not a wine from France. And one I prefer over the usual Cab Sauv, at that, when done right.

This is the best I've ever found from CA (yet).

https://www.reversewinesnob.com/michael-david-winery-inkblot-cabernet-franc

As far as French wine, I've actually had far less of it, having become familiar first w/CA wines, esp. SLH and the Paso area.s

I LOVE dry Alsatians, from either side of the border, and the French and Germans tend to make them to the same incredible level of quality.
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I find French wine is the hardest to buy. Most countries designate wine by variety but france it is by region. A burgundy is almost always a mix but of what I have no clue. I could look it up but then there are so many regions you really need to put the time in to learn them all. I being a lazy man tend not to buy French wines because of this. It is a shame as France has excellent wine I just dont know what I`m buying.
 
On the opposite side of things I do not like Chardonnay.
Anyone else got wines they dont like?
 
Love Argentinian Malbec or Shiraz with beef. My new favorite is Tokaji paired with pork dishes.
 
Quag said:
I find French wine is the hardest to buy. Most countries designate wine by variety but france it is by region. A burgundy is almost always a mix but of what I have no clue. I could look it up but then there are so many regions you really need to put the time in to learn them all. I being a lazy man tend not to buy French wines because of this. It is a shame as France has excellent wine I just dont know what I`m buying.
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Here in LA we're graced with some pretty amazing wine shops (K&L among them) and they know what they're talking about.

I could go on all day about Central CA varietals, makers, techniques, but I'm lost when it comes to most French stuff, so their knowledge really helps. Burgundy's two whoppers are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which I love, so I'm a little more familiar with that area then the rest of FR.
 
Tanngrisnir said:
Here in LA we're graced with some pretty amazing wine shops (K&L among them) and they know what they're talking about.

I could go on all day about Central CA varietals, makers, techniques, but I'm lost when it comes to most French stuff, so their knowledge really helps. Burgundy's two whoppers are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which I love, so I'm a little more familiar with that area then the rest of FR.
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Yeah I could ask the people at the store and I have in the past, tnhey are knowledgable but again I'm lazy so I tend to go to other countries first.
 
Rioja (Spanish; generally tempranillo but some variation, ie, granache-temp mix); Muga is excellent, if a tad pricey. LAN is a more standard table-wine.

On some special occasions, some houses in the Chataneuf region. (Telegramme....made by someone...was an old favorite)

Certain Californian reds

Certain Italians, but trying Italians is a bit of a crapshoot. Vietti makes a number of different varietals. Always excellent. Nebbiolo, Barbara D'asti, the other Barbera, Barbarescos, Super Tuscans, etc. There's a lot that's good. But then it's easy to get something not so great.

Willamet, OR (spelling?) has a number of good pinot noir producers.
 
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My husband and I went to Portugal this summer and had some amazing wines. I've been able to find a few here...costco has carried some excellent ones. I also love Spanish and South American wines as well as a French cote du rhone (red). As far as US wines go, i love a nice pinot noir.

This is a fun little piece on portugese wines: 5 Dry Portuguese Wines That Will Blow Your Mind | Wine Folly

The vinho verde wines we bought (label-less from a farmer's market for 2 Euros) were tasty as hell and perfect for a summer evening.
 
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