I've been thinking for a while about opening a thread in here about this topic as I enjoy US wines very much (especially Californians).
As a native Italian I have a palate for our own ones, but I enjoy US wines very much, too, of which I would like to share a couple with you guys (although I understand that Wine Tastes are extremely subjective).
So I'd like to kick off an Exchange on the topic, hoping that it can flourish.. :)
The best US Red Wine I have had in my 42 years was the following
Dominus Napa Valley Christian Moueix
Cabernet Sauv., Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
My Take: Deep and dark ruby red, complex aromas of red and black berries, lots of spice and floral notes, elegant on the palate with polished tannins, juicy fruit and a beautifully integrated oak note, ends intensively and long.
Rating from 1-10 this was clearly a 10. The price is prohibitive though (300$ a bottle over here)
Another I have tried lately and like very much was this one:
Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Intrinsic Wine Co.
Cabernet Sauv., Cabernet Franc
My Take: Great label and very enjoyable US Cabernet Sauvignon! Once opened, the Intrinsic must be allowed to breathe so it can unfold its aromas. A nice, soft Cabernet Sauvignon, aromatic, nice to drink with a pleasant, mild acidity and light tannin structure. The regular CH price too high, but very consistent in the offer! ($50 a bottle in normal price, I got 2 boxes of 12 bottles each for in offer of 28$ a bottle - that's the price it's worth in my view).
Rating from 1-10 this was an 8 for me.
I can also give you a couple of Italians, Spaniards but also some Swiss, Austrians and South Americans if you are interested...
Overall, I mostly enjoy Malbec, Merlot, Tempranillo, Corvina among others...
Gordon: I don't know enough about wine to do anything other than read the posts here, but thanks for starting this thread. Good idea. I'm certain to learn something... as I know little to nothing. Bob
I
I was told that the higher the alcohol percentage the peak ripeness of the grapes and the best time to capture the flavors.
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I live right in the heart of California's Central Coast wine region. There's somewhere between 250-300 wineries within 90 minutes of our house. Our region doesn't have the reputation of Napa or Sonoma counties but are still producing some fine wines. My wife and I are members of two wine clubs, one is a local winery that's known for their Rh
Quote from: Sem on February 10, 2022, 10:47:13 AM
I live right in the heart of California's Central Coast wine region. There's somewhere between 250-300 wineries within 90 minutes of our house. Our region doesn't have the reputation of Napa or Sonoma counties but are still producing some fine wines. My wife and I are members of two wine clubs, one is a local winery that's known for their Rh
I'm no expert, but I'm very partial to a nice red.
My usual go-to is South American.
Primarily a nice Chilean or Argentinian Malbec.
I like a full bodied red.
Now, when are we getting a malt whisky thread........
A topic I really cannot contribute to. When I was in the service, in Germany, I got to know a lot about Rhine Wines and other German wines, but that has long gone. Today my complete wine list is a hearty bottle of Manechevitz Concord Grape as sweet as a wine can get. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Upon consideration of the title of this thread (and recalling a bad joke my wife often makes), it occurred to me that some days we could justifiably refer to the main football thread as "The Whine Corner." Sorry. Bob
I must say I enjoy wine
I founded a wine club of 4 couples and we meet with each couple hosting, theme based each night.
WE have done:
vintage comparisons by region
vintage comparison by vineyard
By region
By grape
comparing genomes from Europe that were used to cultivate in USA
Food Parings
Fire year vs non fire year
makes the exploration more academic
I have been collecting wine for over 20 years.
When my wife caught covid she can no longer drink red wine and has shifted to Cognac, Sauvaugn blanc and Rose' so its been interesting
I probably have around 250 bottles + or - from all over the world
Great topic
Quote from: babywhales on February 10, 2022, 03:58:21 PM
When my wife caught covid she can no longer drink red wine
Chris: That's unexpected... if you search the Internet for "covid red wine" you'll see that they suspect a connection between drinking red wine and NOT getting covid. Looks like getting the disease changes things. Bob
Quote from: MagicRat on February 10, 2022, 03:13:38 PM
I'm no expert, but I'm very partial to a nice red.
My usual go-to is South American.
Primarily a nice Chilean or Argentinian Malbec.
I like a full bodied red.
Now, when are we getting a malt whisky thread........
Magic: Pinch... end of thread. LOL Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on February 10, 2022, 04:10:36 PM
Magic: Pinch... end of thread. LOL Bob
=)) LOL...I'll keep it going
I'm not a big wine guy myself - almost nothing but beer for me...and I'm not a beer snob. I drink Busch Lite at home and Miller Lite when out on the town. I do like a pint of draft Yuengling from the tap every now and then, but stick to the Lites for most cases. Don't care much for hard liquor. If I do drink liquor, it's an occasional (and by occasional I mean once or twice a year) dirty Grey Goose Martini and on even rarer occasions, a Bloody Mary. I only do shots when someone pays for them and they are set in front of me and I complain about it because I don't care for the taste and I don't like feeling drunk or not in complete control
After I retired a few years ago, I started a Wine Touring business in the Finger Lakes. I could take up to 12 passengers and got to know dozens of the owners of wineries. Of course I couldn't drink because I was driving, but I learned alot about wines - at least wines of the Finger Lakes. Quite often, one of my customers or an owner of a winery would give me a bottle of wine. Almost always a Riesling for which the area is famous. To me, it didn't taste a lot different than Gew
Quote from: GordonGekko80 on February 10, 2022, 11:18:10 AM
Nice insight Sem. Much appreciated.
Any special ones that spring to mind which you'd say are worth for me trying?
I really can't be much help. Honestly I'm far from an expert when it comes to wines, I drink so few anymore and that's not about to change. However there's a few local wineries that produce wines that I really enjoy. One is Brander, known for their Sauvignon blanc, (most bottles are $25-$30), another is Laetitia Winery, they produce a variety of wines, my favorite of which is a Pinot Noir - La Colline ($65). Also, Zaca Mesa Winery is known for Syrah, and they're one of the oldest wineries in the area. I do remember seeing Zaca Mesa wines back in NY, but I don't recall seeing wines from the other two wineries, but I never really searched for them either. Then about 40 minutes up the road in Paso Robles there are over 200 wineries, many of which are producing some very nice Zinfandels, but I don't know enough about them to recommend any. Tobin James, who I think might be found nationally, is up there but the one time I stopped in for a tasting it was a horrible experience so I never explored their wine.
* Not sure if you've ever watched the movie Sideways, but it was a wine-related movie filmed right around where we live.
Jolly: I feel obligated to explain my previous note to Magic Rat. I was not suggesting that my comment was the end of this (wine) thread. He wondered where the malt whiskey thread is.....
I was feigning a belief that "Pinch" (known as "The Dimple" everywhere but in the USA) is the best... and suggesting in jest that the mere mention of Pinch would mark the end of the whiskey discussion.
Although I do like Pinch a lot, I don't think it is considered by connoisseurs to be in the class of something like Aberlour 16 (for example) or other more familiar "top shelf" whiskies.
Bob
PS. And I apologize for going off-topic.
I'll be ready for a bourbon thread.
Quote from: MagicRat on February 10, 2022, 03:13:38 PM
I'm no expert, but I'm very partial to a nice red.
My usual go-to is South American.
Primarily a nice Chilean or Argentinian Malbec.
I like a full bodied red.
Now, when are we getting a malt whisky thread........
Good you mention you like Malbec, I have a very excellent one for you
Malbec Single Vineyard Finca Coletto Trapiche MendozaMy Take: With its deep violet color, this Malbec already impresses visually. Immediately after opening, intensive aromas of plums, black cherries, blackberries and violets fill the air. What glorious opulence! But the wine only reveals its full splendor on the palate: the structure, which is as fresh as it is full, is carried by the wonderfully supple tannins with great power. Now there is also a finely balanced minerals that lasts until the overwhelmingly long finish. This is a really, really great show!
Rating: 8.5
Note: Deemed to be the best Malbec in the world...
Grapes: 100% Malbec
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Producer: Bodegas Trapiche
Alc.: 15%
Vintage: 2017
Goes with: A fine steak made from the best Argentinian beef is a worthy accompaniment for such an exceptional wine (though you guys have very good meat in the US, too - so a nice T-Bone goes very well with it as well). Grilled vegetables are also a real treat.
Quote from: babywhales on February 10, 2022, 03:58:21 PM
I must say I enjoy wine
I founded a wine club of 4 couples and we meet with each couple hosting, theme based each night.
WE have done:
vintage comparisons by region
vintage comparison by vineyard
By region
By grape
comparing genomes from Europe that were used to cultivate in USA
Food Parings
Fire year vs non fire year
makes the exploration more academic
I have been collecting wine for over 20 years.
When my wife caught covid she can no longer drink red wine and has shifted to Cognac, Sauvaugn blanc and Rose' so its been interesting
I probably have around 250 bottles + or - from all over the world
Great topic
Nice one... to me, there is nothing better than a fine wine with a good dinner... THIS is what I call quality of life.
I mostly enjoy quite "heavy" wines with an intense, round body. I started drinking wine with Amarone, probably one of the heaviest overall.
My cave has about 200 bottles as well at the moment and I have been stacking up with US ones as well lately.
Let me give you a special one, which from a price vs quality perspective is really excellent:
Taglio del Tralcio, Aglianico del Vulture DOC, Re ManfrediGrapes: 100% Aglianico del Vulture
Region: Basilicata, Italy
What's special about it is the production: When the grapes are ripe, the so-called "cutting of the shoot" ('taglio del tralcio') is practiced, which involves cutting the fruit head in order to interrupt the flow of sap between roots and bunches. It is thanks to this particular phenomenon of dehydration, which lasts from 7 to 10 days, that the grapes undergo a concentration of hints of ripe fruit and a softening of tannins. The hand-picked grapes begin the winemaking process with a cold maceration lasting 10 days followed by alcoholic fermentation. Finally, the wine ages for about 6 months in large barrels and for 6 months in the bottle.
My take: Purple red; intense aroma of red fruits such as blackberries and black cherries. On the palate it is soft with enveloping tannins. Round and fruity finish.
Rating: 7
Recommended with: baked pasta, red meats, braised meats, aged cheeses. Calzoncelli stuffed with ricotta and cinnamon with lamb ragout, Lucana-style stuffed chicken baked in the oven.
Quote from: Bob In PA on February 10, 2022, 10:23:33 PM
Jolly: I feel obligated to explain my previous note to Magic Rat. I was not suggesting that my comment was the end of this (wine) thread. He wondered where the malt whiskey thread is.....
I was feigning a belief that "Pinch" (known as "The Dimple" everywhere but in the USA) is the best... and suggesting in jest that the mere mention of Pinch would mark the end of the whiskey discussion.
Although I do like Pinch a lot, I don't think it is considered by connoisseurs to be in the class of something like Aberlour 16 (for example) or other more familiar "top shelf" whiskies.
Bob
PS. And I apologize for going off-topic.
You know, I've never tried the dimple/pinch but, I'm aware that it's a blend rather than a malt.....being a pedant here!
But you're on the money with Aberlour, the 16 is a special occasion drink, but the 10 and 12 year old are a nice dram also.
If you like a Speyside malt you should try the Cardhu, Gold Reserve. That's my current fav.
Quote from: MagicRat on February 11, 2022, 04:46:00 PM
You know, I've never tried the dimple/pinch but, I'm aware that it's a blend rather than a malt.....being a pedant here!
But you're on the money with Aberlour, the 16 is a special occasion drink, but the 10 and 12 year old are a nice dram also.
If you like a Speyside malt you should try the Cardhu, Gold Reserve. That's my current fav.
Magic: Talk about coincidence.... just today, before I came here, I ordered a bottle of the Gold Reserve "Game Of Thrones" edition... I wanted to see if it is the same or different than the "regular" Gold Reserve. LOL Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on February 11, 2022, 05:10:03 PM
Magic: Talk about coincidence.... just today, before I came here, I ordered a bottle of the Gold Reserve "Game Of Thrones" edition... I wanted to see if it is the same or different than the "regular" Gold Reserve. LOL Bob
Great minds Bob!
We have a wine dinner coming up in a couple weeks at our son-in-law
Quote from: Sem on February 11, 2022, 06:14:53 PM
We have a wine dinner coming up in a couple weeks at our son-in-law
Quote from: DaveBrown74 on February 12, 2022, 03:04:44 PM
I see an Uber ride in your near future...!
Yeah, not sure we'll go to this one, but if we do we may not be driving anyway. But the nice thing about these events is it's a lot of food-to-wine ratio, and it's spread over a few hours so it's not as bad as it seems.