I've never drunk wine. How do I start?
Jan 30th, 2005, 02:57 PM
#81
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Mikemo,
You mean you can get a mixed box of wines? I suppose Birmingham might be a big enough city to have a wine shop. It's one hour away. I'll see if I can find something on line or find a phone directory for B'ham. Maybe I'll check Tuscaloosa, too.
I apologize but I can't figure out what an "FF" thread would be.
You mean you can get a mixed box of wines? I suppose Birmingham might be a big enough city to have a wine shop. It's one hour away. I'll see if I can find something on line or find a phone directory for B'ham. Maybe I'll check Tuscaloosa, too.
I apologize but I can't figure out what an "FF" thread would be.
Jan 30th, 2005, 03:00 PM
#82
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Macrh123,
I have to say, understanding the south (Lived in Tallahassee, much more southern than the rest of FL) and that you lived in a 'dry county' was understandable to me... as I read the first few posters I knew they didn't understand your predicament... then it got bad from there... glad you stuck with it and brought the group back around. Wonderful way to honor your sister.
Go get the book "Fear of Wine" by Brenner & Teague. Mine is from 95, but I'm sure there is a new edition (if not this one is fine). They make an enjoyable, humourous read out of a complicated topic. There are goofy and fact filled sidebars, and you can enjoy the book, with or without practicing.
And good luck! I understand your desire to want to 'fit in', as in enjoy the culture, and think it will pay off!
- TP
PS - any of the Covey Run white wines are a good start. Reisling, Gewurztrammer (pronounced GA-vertz for short), and Fume Blanc are the ones I can think of as worth trying and are not pricey.
I have to say, understanding the south (Lived in Tallahassee, much more southern than the rest of FL) and that you lived in a 'dry county' was understandable to me... as I read the first few posters I knew they didn't understand your predicament... then it got bad from there... glad you stuck with it and brought the group back around. Wonderful way to honor your sister.
Go get the book "Fear of Wine" by Brenner & Teague. Mine is from 95, but I'm sure there is a new edition (if not this one is fine). They make an enjoyable, humourous read out of a complicated topic. There are goofy and fact filled sidebars, and you can enjoy the book, with or without practicing.
And good luck! I understand your desire to want to 'fit in', as in enjoy the culture, and think it will pay off!
- TP
PS - any of the Covey Run white wines are a good start. Reisling, Gewurztrammer (pronounced GA-vertz for short), and Fume Blanc are the ones I can think of as worth trying and are not pricey.
Jan 30th, 2005, 03:19 PM
#83
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March123 -- Live in Montgomery, AL, for 6 years so I know the challenges of dry (or at least dry on Sundays....) counties! I commend you for being adventurous and can assure you that B'ham would provide you with many opportunities for wine sampling. You may want to consider going to B'ham for lunch or dinner and choosing a restaurant with an extensive wine-by-the glass menu. It would give you the best opportunity (outside of a "wine tasting" event) to sample some different types of wines.
Some suggestions:
* Browse menus at http://www.birminghammenus.com/privatedining.html
* Check out Flemings Steakhouse: http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/by_the_glass.htm
* Give Classic Wine Company a call to check on either in-store tastings or pay a visit and see what they have to offer (phone (205) 871-9463).
* Pick up a copy of "Wine for Dummies" and do some reading...
* For a nice basic (and popular) white (sparkling) wine you could enjoy in Italy - try a prosecco. Naturally fizzy and very enjoyable as an aperitif or with a meal.
Good luck and enjoy your experiments!!
Some suggestions:
* Browse menus at http://www.birminghammenus.com/privatedining.html
* Check out Flemings Steakhouse: http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/by_the_glass.htm
* Give Classic Wine Company a call to check on either in-store tastings or pay a visit and see what they have to offer (phone (205) 871-9463).
* Pick up a copy of "Wine for Dummies" and do some reading...
* For a nice basic (and popular) white (sparkling) wine you could enjoy in Italy - try a prosecco. Naturally fizzy and very enjoyable as an aperitif or with a meal.
Good luck and enjoy your experiments!!
Jan 30th, 2005, 03:37 PM
#85
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Thank you all for your recommendations.
I just went to Amazon.com and ordered a used copy of "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course" and "Fear of Wine" (apparently it has not been updated since 1995). I would have gotten "Wine for Dummys" or "The Wine Bible" but they didn't have any really cheap copies available (hey, have to save those pennies for the trip!)
I just went to Amazon.com and ordered a used copy of "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course" and "Fear of Wine" (apparently it has not been updated since 1995). I would have gotten "Wine for Dummys" or "The Wine Bible" but they didn't have any really cheap copies available (hey, have to save those pennies for the trip!)
Jan 30th, 2005, 03:59 PM
#86
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March123,
FF = Fodor's forums.
Many recommendations are for wines I would consider overpriced related to quality, but you can certainly take my biased opinions for what they are/are not worth.
Yes, you can buy a mixed case and most shops will give you a 10% (occasionally 20%) discount. Even the supermarkets here in Dallas discount (10% for 6 bottles).
I just opened an $11. '01 Santa Duc (Les Blovac/Rasteau) Cotes du Rhone Villages which is as good and perhaps substantially better than any $11. bottle produced in North America in the last few years.
I would avoid the "house wine" in European restaurants, but always ask for local recommendations from the low (price) end of the wine list.
SO, the '97 LBV Ramos Pinto Port is still open and stunning.
M
FF = Fodor's forums.
Many recommendations are for wines I would consider overpriced related to quality, but you can certainly take my biased opinions for what they are/are not worth.
Yes, you can buy a mixed case and most shops will give you a 10% (occasionally 20%) discount. Even the supermarkets here in Dallas discount (10% for 6 bottles).
I just opened an $11. '01 Santa Duc (Les Blovac/Rasteau) Cotes du Rhone Villages which is as good and perhaps substantially better than any $11. bottle produced in North America in the last few years.
I would avoid the "house wine" in European restaurants, but always ask for local recommendations from the low (price) end of the wine list.
SO, the '97 LBV Ramos Pinto Port is still open and stunning.
M
Jan 31st, 2005, 07:19 AM
#87
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How about going to a restaurants and while dining order your wine or ask recommendations and experince it in a nice way !
In Turkey wine, beer or water is cheep as I saw on many messages that water can be more expensive than alcoholic beverages. Not here.
Palette; next holiday come to Turkey Diet Coke is 80 cents even in restaurants ( generally ) so you can save money for other things
Have Great Travels to all
In Turkey wine, beer or water is cheep as I saw on many messages that water can be more expensive than alcoholic beverages. Not here.
Palette; next holiday come to Turkey Diet Coke is 80 cents even in restaurants ( generally ) so you can save money for other things
Have Great Travels to all
Jan 31st, 2005, 07:28 AM
#88
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I am a wine dummy also-but my Mom is not and just last weekend we were vacationing on Longboat Key and had a Pinot from Oregon recommended by the waiter(Scarlett-your post made me think of it)...My Mom loves that area and I think this one was called "King's Creek ? ...it was very good...Ironically I saw the movie Sideways recently and it has a humorous and interesting "wine" based storyline..at least some of the character's feelings about wine are entertaining and lovely written...
Feb 6th, 2005, 11:17 AM
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I am new to this forum--urged on by March123, my daughter. Enjoyed reading all your correspondence about wine. I'll be sure to get in touch again when I return from a 6 week trip in southern Africa. Hope to sample a lot of wine there.
Feb 6th, 2005, 07:33 PM
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I'm not a wine person either. But, I did take a wine tasting tour. And I learned a bit. I learned that I liked fruity wines made in steel vats. Reds are often made in oak barrels which give them that taste. But if you want to start. Try a not so dry white fruity wine. And perhaps a higher sugar content so it would taste alcholic.
Feb 7th, 2005, 10:39 AM
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We compared a '01 P. Sparr Reserve Pinot Gris (Alsace,FR) $12.69 @ full retail last week with the wine of the week a '03 Montecelli Pinot Grigio (IT) $5.99 on sale.
No contest! The Sparr is VG, the Montecelli pretty awful.
M
No contest! The Sparr is VG, the Montecelli pretty awful.
M
Feb 7th, 2005, 12:51 PM
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Dear march123,
You set off a firestorm with your innocent question. I sell wine on weekends. My company has many German wines and here is some background on the one you had:
<i>I told my husband about my plan to try some wine and he located a bottle of wine lying in a cabinet in the kitchen (shows how much I use my kitchen). He had bought it about 12 years ago before we were married and had forgotten about it. It cost $20.59 back then.
The label read:
1988 Spatlese
SCHLOSS GROENESTEYN
Rudesheimer Berg Rottland
Riesling
RHEINGAU
Last Saturday, after dinner, we got some cheese, sausage and crackers and opened that baby. It was very sweet and and after a couple of glasses, it just tasted like fruit juice! Before I knew it, we had drunk the whole bottle!</i>
1988 for a German wine is most likely too old. Those grapes were harvested over 16 years ago. The wine should have been consumed no later than 10 years ago.
Spätlase means "late harvest." These wines tend to be sweeter than fruity <i>Kabinet</i> wines but not so smooth as <i>Auslese</i> wines.
The wine was produced or bottled by a vinyard or wine merchant named SCHLOSS GROENESTEYN. It is located in a dorf named <i>Rudesheim</i> and the name of the vinyard is <i>Berg Rottland</i>.
The grape variety is Riesling.
The <i>Anbaugebiet</i> is Rheingau, one of the 13 legal wine growing areas in Germany.
What you don't mention is whether this is a <i>Qualitätswein</i> or <i>Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP)</i>, or just <i>Tafelwein</i>. There is a big difference in quality and price. Judging by the date and price you probably had a <i>QmP</i>, the highest quality.
All of this is useless information unless you are going to Germany. I suggest that you get a used copy of "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine," dated, 19XX or 20XX, whatever edition you can find cheap on Amazon. It's the best darn book you can get.
You set off a firestorm with your innocent question. I sell wine on weekends. My company has many German wines and here is some background on the one you had:
<i>I told my husband about my plan to try some wine and he located a bottle of wine lying in a cabinet in the kitchen (shows how much I use my kitchen). He had bought it about 12 years ago before we were married and had forgotten about it. It cost $20.59 back then.
The label read:
1988 Spatlese
SCHLOSS GROENESTEYN
Rudesheimer Berg Rottland
Riesling
RHEINGAU
Last Saturday, after dinner, we got some cheese, sausage and crackers and opened that baby. It was very sweet and and after a couple of glasses, it just tasted like fruit juice! Before I knew it, we had drunk the whole bottle!</i>
1988 for a German wine is most likely too old. Those grapes were harvested over 16 years ago. The wine should have been consumed no later than 10 years ago.
Spätlase means "late harvest." These wines tend to be sweeter than fruity <i>Kabinet</i> wines but not so smooth as <i>Auslese</i> wines.
The wine was produced or bottled by a vinyard or wine merchant named SCHLOSS GROENESTEYN. It is located in a dorf named <i>Rudesheim</i> and the name of the vinyard is <i>Berg Rottland</i>.
The grape variety is Riesling.
The <i>Anbaugebiet</i> is Rheingau, one of the 13 legal wine growing areas in Germany.
What you don't mention is whether this is a <i>Qualitätswein</i> or <i>Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP)</i>, or just <i>Tafelwein</i>. There is a big difference in quality and price. Judging by the date and price you probably had a <i>QmP</i>, the highest quality.
All of this is useless information unless you are going to Germany. I suggest that you get a used copy of "Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine," dated, 19XX or 20XX, whatever edition you can find cheap on Amazon. It's the best darn book you can get.
Feb 24th, 2007, 06:47 PM
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Two tools are necessary for learning about wine -- an expert and your taste buds.
Seriously, you must taste the wines for yourself, but tasting methodically helps you compare and contrast different types of wines so that you know what you like and why.
The expert that I have found to be most helpful is Andrea Immer and her book, Great Wines Made Simple. She simplifies wine types, flavors and tasting better than anyone.
Also, I agree with one of the previous posters; most wines are more enjoyable as a complement to food.
So buy the book, buy some wine, take your time learning and enjoy your journey!
Seriously, you must taste the wines for yourself, but tasting methodically helps you compare and contrast different types of wines so that you know what you like and why.
The expert that I have found to be most helpful is Andrea Immer and her book, Great Wines Made Simple. She simplifies wine types, flavors and tasting better than anyone.
Also, I agree with one of the previous posters; most wines are more enjoyable as a complement to food.
So buy the book, buy some wine, take your time learning and enjoy your journey!
