The Wine Thread

Originally Posted by mmblz

my stash of $10/bottle Chateau Souverain Cabernet is getting just low enough that I'm starting to be depressed at the idea of either spending more or drinking crappy wine after this runs out...

What is it about this wine that stood out to you? Besides the price value.

[mmblz]

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

What is it about this wine that stood out to you? Besides the price value.

It's normally $20. Pretty good CA cab even for $20, but a steal at $10.

[landhoney]

At Publix with my wife a day or two before Valentines and I see Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Brut, Champagne, pretty standard at around $30. They were selling them two for $30, basically buy one get one free, could not beleive it, and picked them up. At ~$30 I think its a pretty good value Champagne, but at $15 its a no brainer buy.

I just met a Paso Robles winemaker named David James at a cigar lounge (Perfecto) here. There is some kind of Syrah Days or something like that going on and he was exhibiting an '05 he made. He stopped in for a cigar and opened up a bottle for tasting. Very nice. Good mixture of oak, no brett and a smooth long finish. You never know who you will meet.

[rizzle]

Originally Posted by landhoney

At Publix with my wife a day or two before Valentines and I see Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Brut, Champagne, pretty standard at around $30. They were selling them two for $30, basically buy one get one free, could not beleive it, and picked them up. At ~$30 I think its a pretty good value Champagne, but at $15 its a no brainer buy.

Every now and then that happens at Publix, Seth. Most people, myself generally included, aren't afficionados at much more than a thing or two and I think Champagne probbly fits that bill to a T. In other words, most people buying champagne at Publix are probably going to grab a bottle or two of $9 Korbel.

To make a long story short, a while back I stumbled upon Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin at Publix marked down to like $16 a bottle. Bought every one they had. Probably not tops on everyones list, but at that price, hells yeah.

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Every now and then that happens at Publix, Seth. Most people, myself generally included, aren't afficionados at much more than a thing or two and I think Champagne probbly fits that bill to a T. In other words, most people buying champagne at Publix are probably going to grab a bottle or two of $9 Korbel.

To make a long story short, a while back I stumbled upon Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin at Publix marked down to like $16 a bottle. Bought every one they had. Probably not tops on everyones list, but at that price, hells yeah.

Yep, I don't normally look through the wine section.....but I will now.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by rizzle

To make a long story short, a while back I stumbled upon Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin at Publix marked down to like $16 a bottle. Bought every one they had. Probably not tops on everyones list, but at that price, hells yeah.

I would buy all of it too at that price. Good score!

Anyone into over-extracted Zinfandels? (Klinker Brick, anything Lodi) Looking to try something outside the usual suspects here.

-Thanks!

[JohnnyFlake]

Is anyone into Madeira? I have decided to delve into this wine a bit. I have read as much material on it that I could fine over the last few days. In some of the reviews I have read where that particular bottling goes very well with cigars. Now I am planing to pick up a bottle or two and try it out.

Any input and/or advise would be appreciated.

There used to be a Madiera thread. That may have been before Oct '08 ;D

I'm looking to pick up some whites from Loire Valley. Can anyone recommend some good readily available wines?

[TheRiddick]

Nate, look for Huet. They make some dry ones as well as spectacular sweets.

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Nate, look for Huet. They make some dry ones as well as spectacular sweets.

Thanks, I'll look for some of their offerings.

Loire Valley is "the place" for whites in France right?

[TheRiddick]

Also, Champalou (imported by Kermit Lynch) make some of the better wines there, both dry and sparkling at lower prices than Huet. Both of these are in Vouvray region.

If you're into sweet wines (after dinner and with cigars) along with those of Huet I'd also look into Domaine Baumard (or others from Quarts de Chaume/Coteaux du Layon regions).

On the dry Loires front, some of the better producers are located in Sancerre region: Marc Brediff and Henri Bourgeois both make great wines.

[TheRiddick]

Not sure I'd call Loire "the" place for whites in France :-) There is always Alsace region producing some spectacular whites, both dry and not. Bordeaux region makes some of the best whites as well, pricey, but incredible. And there are whites in Burgundy (Chardonnay) as well Rhone (Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier grapes). It all depends on what you're in the mood for and how much your wallet can stand the abuse :-)

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Not sure I'd call Loire "the" place for whites in France :-) There is always Alsace region producing some spectacular whites, both dry and not. Bordeaux region makes some of the best whites as well, pricey, but incredible. And there are whites in Burgundy (Chardonnay) as well Rhone (Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier grapes). It all depends on what you're in the mood for and how much your wallet can stand the abuse :-)

The most expensive whites are from Burgundy, including Meursault and Chevalier-Montrachet. Rhone has some nice whites from CdP and Cote Rotie. Generally Meursault is 'top of the pops' when it comes to white wine in France. Loire has lost popularity with the consumer, but is a great value due to that.

It depends what you are in the mood for as TheRiddick has mentioned. White Burgs are being dumped by a lot of distributors as many consumers aren't spending $50+ on white wine like they use to. Some great deals in the bin ends locally for me.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Is anyone into Madeira? I have decided to delve into this wine a bit. I have read as much material on it that I could fine over the last few days. In some of the reviews I have read where that particular bottling goes very well with cigars. Now I am planing to pick up a bottle or two and try it out.

Any input and/or advise would be appreciated.

What do you want to know. I adore Madeira, probably more than any other wine, but can get pricy.

The best easy to find Madeiras under $100 are:

Broadbent 10 year Malmsey
Broabent 1996 Colheita
Blandy's Alvada
Rare Wine Company's "Historic Series"
D'Oliveiras 1968 Bual (about $150ish)

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

The most expensive whites are from Burgundy, including Meursault and Chevalier-Montrachet.

Moses, I know you have a Euro-centric palate and cellar, but I am sure white wine producers in Bordeaux (and other regions in France) will disagree with you statement. When was the last time you looked at Sauternes prices? Or those of dry whites from Haut-Brion and such? They make very little (when compared to their red programs), and I only wish prices for Bordeaux whites would be in affordable category (some DRY whites reach $400 per bottle, although spectacular wines by any measure). I'd be a buyer, for sure. Most, if not all, white Burgs are affordable. North Rhone whites are more expensive than white Burgs, Chave comes to mind (Hermitage White, they start at $200 and quickly go up, that is if you can find a bottle) and there are others. Even Beaucastel white is more expensive than Burgs and its Southern Rhone.

White Burgs are much more known and more readily available, but price wise, they are not top of the heap. Bordeaux, North Rhone and Alsace are more expensive, in that order, with sweet Loires taking 4th place.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Moses, I know you have a Euro-centric palate and cellar, but I am sure white wine producers in Bordeaux (and other regions in France) will disagree with you statement. When was the last time you looked at Sauternes prices?

I wanted to stick with dry wines and keep it very general.