How do you choose wine in a Monoprix?
May 9th, 2007, 08:43 AM
#21
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You can drink some wines in France that you wouldn't in the US--chablis, chenin blanc, rose. They can be delicious. And white burgundy is chardonnay--and not oaked. One of our favorite wines is Sancerre--white or red.
Alcohol content isn't a measure--except for that.
We also like red Bergeracs which are not too common to find in the US--and they are usually basically CHEAP. Another favorite white is an aligote.
Trial and error.
As for the hoity toity "hint of blackberry and tobacco" people really do get trained to detect these. Just because I can't really name these (but sommelier DD can) doesn't mean I don't appreciate someone telling me this. It denotes a depth of the flavor of the wine rather than battery acid.
Alcohol content isn't a measure--except for that.
We also like red Bergeracs which are not too common to find in the US--and they are usually basically CHEAP. Another favorite white is an aligote.
Trial and error.
As for the hoity toity "hint of blackberry and tobacco" people really do get trained to detect these. Just because I can't really name these (but sommelier DD can) doesn't mean I don't appreciate someone telling me this. It denotes a depth of the flavor of the wine rather than battery acid.
May 9th, 2007, 08:47 AM
#22
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An interesting souvenir for someone who is really into wine (or would like to be). There is a kit (Nicolas sells it, I know) with all the flavors/scents one might find in wine -- hint of blackberry, tobacco, even green pepper.
May 9th, 2007, 08:48 AM
#23
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One tip I picked up recently from a NY Times article which I've recently begun employing is to find a good local wine merchant that has a good knowledge of wine and, more importantly, has a true passion. You can tell this by the way he/she describes their favorite wine. If they start spitting out numbers from Wine Spectator, et. al. - run, don't walk to your next shop. If the merchant can expain in descriptive terms why he/she like a particular wine, you've likely got a winner.
Here is the fun part. Explain to the merchant your likes and dislikes in wine, including specific wines you like and why. Then put a challenge to them. Give them a budget, say $100, and ask them to put together a mixed case of wines they feel would suit your pallet. Ask them to be creative, but stay within your budget.
Take your case home and enjoy! Carefully note which ones you liked and which ones not so much. When you've gone through the case, go back to the merchant, tell them which ones you loved & which ones you hated. Have them repeat with the new information. This is such a great way to find new wines, and particularly good bargins.
In your case, you can ask merchant to limit the selection to just wines likely to be available in France (i.e. mostly French). You may find that there is a particular regional style you prefer. Even if you can't find the exact wine in Monoprix, you can choose a bottle from a different producer from the same region and price range.
Right now (well, not actually at the moment) I am enjoying a nice full bodied $6 Spanish Cab-Tempranillo blend thanks to my local wine guy!
Here is the fun part. Explain to the merchant your likes and dislikes in wine, including specific wines you like and why. Then put a challenge to them. Give them a budget, say $100, and ask them to put together a mixed case of wines they feel would suit your pallet. Ask them to be creative, but stay within your budget.
Take your case home and enjoy! Carefully note which ones you liked and which ones not so much. When you've gone through the case, go back to the merchant, tell them which ones you loved & which ones you hated. Have them repeat with the new information. This is such a great way to find new wines, and particularly good bargins.
In your case, you can ask merchant to limit the selection to just wines likely to be available in France (i.e. mostly French). You may find that there is a particular regional style you prefer. Even if you can't find the exact wine in Monoprix, you can choose a bottle from a different producer from the same region and price range.
Right now (well, not actually at the moment) I am enjoying a nice full bodied $6 Spanish Cab-Tempranillo blend thanks to my local wine guy!
May 9th, 2007, 08:51 AM
#24
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Toupary is right. That is a really nice gift. I've wanted that for a while. I did a wine appreciation course and I found it very hard to recognise some smells. It becomes harder as you get older and I think a kit like this would have helped.
May 9th, 2007, 08:54 AM
#25
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<i>There is a kit (Nicolas sells it, I know) with all the flavors/scents one might find in wine -- hint of blackberry, tobacco, even green pepper.</i>
Toupary - definitely! My wife just got this for me for my last birthday. It really helps to put a name to the different scents. We always break it out at small get togethers. It always starts out educational, but usually devolves into a drinking game.
Toupary - definitely! My wife just got this for me for my last birthday. It really helps to put a name to the different scents. We always break it out at small get togethers. It always starts out educational, but usually devolves into a drinking game.
May 9th, 2007, 08:55 AM
#26
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I'm not that picky, although I do drink wine quite a bit and have definite preferences -- I just am not tied to expensive wines. I drink a lot from Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina at home, for example, as well as some cheaper Sangiovese or Spanish Riojas. But I rarely spend more than US $10-12 at home for regular drinking wine, and some more like $6.
So, I just choose based on it being the kind of wine I want from a region I like, in a certain price range. I know that pretty well for France, but don't know specific vineyards or labels that much. But cheaper French table wine is usually good enough for me in comparison to my usual Chilean, etc. wine.
I suppose if you didn't know regions at all (you must know them some for France, that isn't that difficult), it might be hard, but you tend not to find a lot of bad wine from inappropriate regions.
So, I just choose based on it being the kind of wine I want from a region I like, in a certain price range. I know that pretty well for France, but don't know specific vineyards or labels that much. But cheaper French table wine is usually good enough for me in comparison to my usual Chilean, etc. wine.
I suppose if you didn't know regions at all (you must know them some for France, that isn't that difficult), it might be hard, but you tend not to find a lot of bad wine from inappropriate regions.
May 9th, 2007, 09:05 AM
#27
Once I moved to Paris and began drinking wine regularly, I always used the trial-and-error system. I am very happy to have begun my life in France penniless, because at that point there was no shame in buying the cheapest wine imaginable and working my way up. The first thing I discovered was that even some of the cheapest table wines can be quite good -- but only temporarily. Since the mix of wine changes regularly, so does the taste. If you ever happen upon an excellent (or just quite acceptable) bottle of 2 or 3 or 4 euro wine, buy a lot of it immediately. Next week's stock might be totally different.
For daily use, when there are no guests to unmask your cheap habits, some of the wine-in-box items are quite good, and the mylar vacuum bags really keep them totally fresh, even when you don't drink the item quickly. Since I drink very little white wine, I have noticed that a 3-liter box of white wine can still taste quite good 3 months after you started it -- never possible with a bottle. You know those cafés with a very nice house wine in a wooden keg? Inside the keg is a mylar bag.
Sooner or later, we all discover expensive wines that we love. I won't recommend any, because it is different for each person, but my own preference goes to something like a Morgon, but if you give me something like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, I will be quite happy as well.
For daily use, when there are no guests to unmask your cheap habits, some of the wine-in-box items are quite good, and the mylar vacuum bags really keep them totally fresh, even when you don't drink the item quickly. Since I drink very little white wine, I have noticed that a 3-liter box of white wine can still taste quite good 3 months after you started it -- never possible with a bottle. You know those cafés with a very nice house wine in a wooden keg? Inside the keg is a mylar bag.
Sooner or later, we all discover expensive wines that we love. I won't recommend any, because it is different for each person, but my own preference goes to something like a Morgon, but if you give me something like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, I will be quite happy as well.
May 9th, 2007, 09:14 AM
#28
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Lawchick, I think I need a wine appreciation course (something a little more formal than the appreciating I've been doing). Did you do it in Brussels? I've bought the book, Vins de France, and it has a very nice, clear layout.
"It always starts out educational, but usually devolves into a drinking game."
ripit, funny how that happens. I went to a wine tasting at Christie's last year, before their auction of the wines from the Hospices de Beaune. These were serious collectors, but after the first few sips, it seemed that no one was spitting into the silver receptacles.
"It always starts out educational, but usually devolves into a drinking game."
ripit, funny how that happens. I went to a wine tasting at Christie's last year, before their auction of the wines from the Hospices de Beaune. These were serious collectors, but after the first few sips, it seemed that no one was spitting into the silver receptacles.
May 9th, 2007, 09:30 AM
#29
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Yes Toupary, I did it in Brussels - with the Alliance Francaise. It was an attempt to brush up my French together with learning a bit more about wine. It was good on both counts - except now I can't critique a wine properly in English as I don't know the words.
The instructor was great and he concentrated on mostly mid priced wines - like nothing much over 20 euros - which was very good as it meant that we could use what we learned very easily.
I'm thinking about doing something a bit more advanced next year.
The instructor was great and he concentrated on mostly mid priced wines - like nothing much over 20 euros - which was very good as it meant that we could use what we learned very easily.
I'm thinking about doing something a bit more advanced next year.
May 9th, 2007, 09:36 AM
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Lawchick, they had the a wine tasting course at the Alliance in Washington whern I was there, but I never got around to it.
I know what you mean about taking courses in French. I am still struggling with describing French decorative arts and architecture in English. Some French words are just so much more descriptive.
I know what you mean about taking courses in French. I am still struggling with describing French decorative arts and architecture in English. Some French words are just so much more descriptive.
May 9th, 2007, 09:40 AM
#31
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Yep, but I do sound like a right ponce now sometimes - with my "premier nez", closely followed by "l'attaque", not to mention the "larmes".
My husband is just as bad. He did it with me and he doesn't know the words in German either.
My husband is just as bad. He did it with me and he doesn't know the words in German either.
May 9th, 2007, 09:51 AM
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I drink Muscadet at Happy Hour - they keep it just for me. I describe it as if with "grapefruit" to some degree.
Aaaah wine...don't 'ya just love 'em?
A glass of vin blanc at a terrace in Paris is a slice of heaven! .. little bowl of olives...sigh.
Aaaah wine...don't 'ya just love 'em?
A glass of vin blanc at a terrace in Paris is a slice of heaven! .. little bowl of olives...sigh.
May 9th, 2007, 09:56 AM
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I'm off the booze as I'm "great with child".
Non alcoholic wine is non existant here in Belgium. I recently brouhgt back some non alcoholic sekt and red wine from Germany. I'm sure it's gut rot, but I'm saving it for when things get really bad.
Between being pregnant, months of breastfeeding looming, and hubbies dreams of filling an ice hockey team, I'll be a very cheap date whenever I can have a drink again!
Non alcoholic wine is non existant here in Belgium. I recently brouhgt back some non alcoholic sekt and red wine from Germany. I'm sure it's gut rot, but I'm saving it for when things get really bad.
Between being pregnant, months of breastfeeding looming, and hubbies dreams of filling an ice hockey team, I'll be a very cheap date whenever I can have a drink again!
May 9th, 2007, 10:30 AM
#38
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Robjame - Your style of choosing wine at a supermarket caught my eye when you mentioned two very palatable wines from South Africa.
Local wine writer Tim James suggested a horrible marketing probability when he said on his website "How people choose wines, I have no idea......Failing experience or trusted advice... the safest and most boring answer is to choose the big brand name, but the wines will generally be boring too, and probably overpriced to pay for all the advertising.
Here in South Africa the trend for irreverent wine names incorporates the principle on which word-of-mouth marketing functions - people talk about wines, and engaging names give them more to talk about.
Good examples include Fairwiew Wine Estate's tongue-in-cheek "Goats do Roam" range ( a play on the French Cotes du Rhone): the Grape Minds group of wine brands whose names are never dull (The Wallflower, A Month of Sundays), and Fat Bastard Wines.
Export examples confirm the value of unusual names. If the producer of some of the best red wines in the country - Boekenhoutskloof - can produce equally good sub-brands with memorable labels and names to match, and sell them for between $10 & $50 in the US like hot cakes, they must be getting something right. They have names like Chocolate Block, Porcupine Ridge, and Wolftrap.
For me to see these wine labels on my supermarket shelf day in and day out does not always tempt me to try them. Only when I see the same labels on a restaurant wine list marked at 4 0r 5 times the shelf price do I sit up and take note.
Robjame, Fat Bastard is a medium priced wine and very recommended. Usually at the higher end price in restaurants.
If you EVER see a wine called EXCELSIOR (Merlot, Cab Sauv, or Shiraz) grab it with both hands! Made by a young 25 year old lady winemaker who's really strutting her stuff. I buy it by the crate load.
Local wine writer Tim James suggested a horrible marketing probability when he said on his website "How people choose wines, I have no idea......Failing experience or trusted advice... the safest and most boring answer is to choose the big brand name, but the wines will generally be boring too, and probably overpriced to pay for all the advertising.
Here in South Africa the trend for irreverent wine names incorporates the principle on which word-of-mouth marketing functions - people talk about wines, and engaging names give them more to talk about.
Good examples include Fairwiew Wine Estate's tongue-in-cheek "Goats do Roam" range ( a play on the French Cotes du Rhone): the Grape Minds group of wine brands whose names are never dull (The Wallflower, A Month of Sundays), and Fat Bastard Wines.
Export examples confirm the value of unusual names. If the producer of some of the best red wines in the country - Boekenhoutskloof - can produce equally good sub-brands with memorable labels and names to match, and sell them for between $10 & $50 in the US like hot cakes, they must be getting something right. They have names like Chocolate Block, Porcupine Ridge, and Wolftrap.
For me to see these wine labels on my supermarket shelf day in and day out does not always tempt me to try them. Only when I see the same labels on a restaurant wine list marked at 4 0r 5 times the shelf price do I sit up and take note.
Robjame, Fat Bastard is a medium priced wine and very recommended. Usually at the higher end price in restaurants.
If you EVER see a wine called EXCELSIOR (Merlot, Cab Sauv, or Shiraz) grab it with both hands! Made by a young 25 year old lady winemaker who's really strutting her stuff. I buy it by the crate load.
May 9th, 2007, 10:32 AM
#39
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Robjame, just a small comment: You should not shun screwcaps as more and more wines will use this closing, including some very good ones. Also, I am not sure that the word Chateau is any kind of meaningful signifier on a wine bottle.
From todays' NY Times, here is an interesting and related story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/di...mp;oref=slogin
From todays' NY Times, here is an interesting and related story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/di...mp;oref=slogin
May 9th, 2007, 10:47 AM
#40
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Interesting article eks and equally valid points about screwcaps and words on labels. These techniques are only used to randomly limit my choices. My wife chooses the fancy labels arguing that they wouldn't spend that much on a label if the stuff inside were no good. On the other hand I choose the understated labels countering with the vino is so good they don't need to be ostentacious.
BTW I omitted one of my favorite ways of choosing wine in a Monoprix. I lurk behind the display of sparkling water where I can keep an eye on the wines and wait until a "typically French local" come in and chooses a bottle of wine. I immediately scoop the same selection for our pique nique whiule repeating the mantra, "They obviously know".
BTW I omitted one of my favorite ways of choosing wine in a Monoprix. I lurk behind the display of sparkling water where I can keep an eye on the wines and wait until a "typically French local" come in and chooses a bottle of wine. I immediately scoop the same selection for our pique nique whiule repeating the mantra, "They obviously know".
