The Wine Thread

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by rizzle

What is the difference in Syrah, Sirah, and Shiraz?

Same grape, named different in different wine regions. The end product can be different as soil, climate, and wine making methods can change the end product quite dramatically.

[rizzle]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Same grape, named different in different wine regions. The end product can be different as soil, climate, and wine making methods can change the end product quite dramatically.

Thanks moses. That is what I thought but 'tis better to ask than to simply assume.

Idea: I like this thread, and I like wine. Problem is I know nothing about it. Reading some of the back and forth conversation a few of you guys have is Greek to me. How about a thread on different types of wine with a general description of each. Like their perceived strengths or bodies or whatever. Or I guess it could be done just as a single post at the beginning of this thread for reference.
Ex:
Red Wines
----------
Pinot Noir--description
Cabernet Savignon--description
etc.

White Wines
------------
Chardonnay--
etc.

Just a thought that would probably be helpful to more than just myself.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Idea: I like this thread, and I like wine. Problem is I know nothing about it. Reading some of the back and forth conversation a few of you guys have is Greek to me. How about a thread on different types of wine with a general description of each. Like their perceived strengths or bodies or whatever. Or I guess it could be done just as a single post at the beginning of this thread for reference.
Ex:
Red Wines
----------
Pinot Noir--description
Cabernet Savignon--description
etc.

White Wines
------------
Chardonnay--
etc.

Sure, which varietal do you want to start with? Chardonnay would be good one. The style and quality is huge, and what people are drinking is equally as big. There's some cheaters for the price both from France and USA, with an occasional S. American mixed.

It would be best to start a new thread for the varietal you'd like to learn about. I would suggest to you, or anyone who plans to follow the thread and learn is to look up the varietal in Wikipedia to verse yourself. It's more concise and direct that anyone on this site could come with on their own.

[goalie204]

Pretty ignorant about wine, but anyone ever tried Robert Mondavi Johannesberg reisling? it's my favorite

[mosesbotbol]

My top pick for a new world shiraz is Torbreck Woodcutter Shiraz. Just under $20. I prefer French syrah, but I am an old world wine fan. You'll like the Woodcutter, no question about it, 100%.

Al's plan does not fit my buying habits. I find wines I like by tasting them, trying out ones that are recommended and finding regions/varietals that I like and expanding on them. I usually don't buy random bottles of wine. With money getting tighter I am looking at slashing my spending on wine. I have already cut my cigar spending.

[aldukes]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Great idea dukes, except again, way more advanced than what I was looking for.

About all I know when I drink a wine is if I like it or not. I have no idea how each varietal is supposed to taste, much less how different regions should and do taste.

There is no real answer to how a grape tastes. Pinot Noir from CA differs from Pinot Noir in France and so on. Do they share some characteristics?- of course, but how the grape is grown,fermented,stored,etc changes everything.

I think this would be awesome for newbie drinkers- naming a producer and having someone tell you what is good- isnt the right way to drink wine- finding out what you enjoy is.

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

Al's plan does not fit my buying habits. I find wines I like by tasting them, trying out ones that are recommended and finding regions/varietals that I like and expanding on them. I usually don't buy random bottles of wine. With money getting tighter I am looking at slashing my spending on wine. I have already cut my cigar spending.

This wouldnt be buying random bottles of wine- this would work exactly the same way you find out about wine- by tasting, then finding regions or varietals that you enjoy.

This is will be as accessible as possible- so everyone can participate. Pick up whatever you can afford.

[mosesbotbol]

We could start off with Chambertin, and then move to Borolo...

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

We could start off with Chambertin, and then move to Borolo...

Moses, you read my mind

I would do this with you folks if we can go by varietal or possibly region.


~Vitis

[The Dakotan]

I like the idea, especially if we did it every few weeks. I'm up for trying and learning. There will always be obstacles ...

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Vitis

Moses, you read my mind

I would do this with you folks if we can go by varietal or possibly region.


~Vitis

...Ok folks, everyone buy a bottle of La Tache and we'll share tasting notes the next day.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

...Ok folks, everyone buy a bottle of La Tache and we'll share tasting notes the next day.

If we did by varietal I could drink the DRC and you could drink a CastleRock Pinot and we could compare notes. Oh you mean I have to BUY the La Tache? Ok, you do drink the DRC, Ill drink the CastleRock.

[aldukes]

Originally Posted by Vitis

If we did by varietal I could drink the DRC and you could drink a CastleRock Pinot and we could compare notes. Oh you mean I have to BUY the La Tache? Ok, you do drink the DRC, Ill drink the CastleRock.

Exactly!

[mosesbotbol]

I didn't think I had to buy the La Tache... I thought one you were going to buy an OWC and mail out a bottle to each of us... Schucks...

If I had the spare 15gs, I would gladly handle this for us. Untill then, lots of Morey St. Denis village level stuff for me instead. But who am I to complain.

[aldukes]

You are a generous man Vitis.

Got the office today and there were a few wines open on the counter to try. Some quick thoughts:

1988 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling
Fat and easy with low acidity and tasty Honey flavors. I'm whore for Prum, well Riesling in general. In fact my favorite grape. This is good but not great for a Sonnenuhr.

1999 Georg Breuer Rudesheim Berg Rottland Riesling
Now this is fascinating wine. Nose is dominated by honey, but the mouth is laced with lime, mineral and mint notes. Delicious and interesting with a nice backbone.

1995 Castello Di Ama Chianti Classico Vigneto BellaVista
Dried fruit, cherry and raisins, medium bodied with drying tannins. Tasty and would go great with some meat. Im thinking a Bolonegese, Mmmmm.

1990 Philip Tongi Estate Cabernet
Love it. Tongi can be very green, but this has great fruit for a 18year old. Cassis with floral notes and silky tannins. What a great wine. I could drink this every day and be pretty happy.

2005 Domaine des Farges Quart du Chaume
Wet Wool and lanolin, seems very far advanced for such a young wine. Missing those fresh fruit notes I would like to see in a QdC at this age. not my cup o tea.

Rough day at the office eh?



~Vitis

[mosesbotbol]

Vitis

Some interesting picks there. I too love Rieslings, but have very few in my collection. My girlfriend is a big fan of them, so I am leaving to her to start picking them out for auction buys.

I met Dr. Loosen a few years ago. Very interesting guy and we had some wines dating back to the 60's! Wow!

You're a lucky man and your GF has good taste. Wow is right on those older Loosen Rieslings. Ernst has been here quite a few times working on his Eroica project with Chateau St Michelle but I have not yet been fortunate enough to meet him. Hopefuly in the future.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Vitis

You're a lucky man and your GF has good taste. Wow is right on those older Loosen Rieslings. Ernst has been here quite a few times working on his Eroica project with Chateau St Michelle but I have not yet been fortunate enough to meet him. Hopefuly in the future.

I like Ch. St. Michelle in the value category. I've had some 50's German wines that were incredible as long as the bottle was finished within an hour of opening.

Tokay is my favorite in the sweet whites, but this night pictured below was a fun one (taken at last years Passover).