Wine Experts: Please help a Coke Addict Change His Ways
Oct 6th, 2003, 10:32 AM
#81
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Are we required to order wine when in Paris? I would hate to be the "country-bumpkin tourist" who declines a glass of wine with dinner...
On the other hand, I always used to like Rose wines -- are they still around?
On the other hand, I always used to like Rose wines -- are they still around?
Oct 6th, 2003, 10:35 AM
#82
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The whites from Burgundy are readily available in any decent wine shop. The trick is locating one at a decent value to price. The producers tend to mark up to satisfy some inner need for greed, and often, the price is a bit above value or where it ought to be when you compare one vintage with another. Right now, 2001 is what you'll want to look for. US stores are bargaining hard to keep Burgundy prices down, citing the exchange rate and increased lack of interest in all things french, temporarily.
As a fall back, keep an eye on the whites from the Loire. They will lack the flintiness of the great or good burgundies, but they suppleness is delightful, and their prices are unbelievably low.
Interestingly, the wine situation in California (too much juice, wine, over production vs. a downturn in the economy) may produce lower prices there, so that's an option on white as well. But California has been so greedy recently, that their prices are not as competetive with Burgundy whites, and when push comes to shove, go Burgundy as much as you go California for whites.
As a fall fall back, keep New Zealand and Chile in mind for chards.
As a fall back, keep an eye on the whites from the Loire. They will lack the flintiness of the great or good burgundies, but they suppleness is delightful, and their prices are unbelievably low.
Interestingly, the wine situation in California (too much juice, wine, over production vs. a downturn in the economy) may produce lower prices there, so that's an option on white as well. But California has been so greedy recently, that their prices are not as competetive with Burgundy whites, and when push comes to shove, go Burgundy as much as you go California for whites.
As a fall fall back, keep New Zealand and Chile in mind for chards.
Oct 6th, 2003, 01:10 PM
#83
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I don't really like sweet aperitifs of any kind, but a Macon is about the driest white wine I've ever had, and that has got to be a lot harder to find than the other. I've never seen it in the US.
No, restaurants don't have rules that you must order wine and no bottled water will be free except in rare circumstances I think I've see it as a choice on a prix fixe menu instead of some other kind of drink.
I have to disagree about the Georges Duboeuf recommendation. I think this is some of the worst cheap French wine I've ever had, so it's not for everyone. They sell it, as well as the Louis Jadot, in the regular supermarkets where I live. One of the wine experts at the wine megamall near where I live (Total Wine) is a French man who really knows his trade, and goes to France on buying trips several times a year -- and he told me Duboeuf doesn't really bottle their own grapes, they just buy up odd lots from other vineyards that they don't want. He said that's why it isn't so good. However, he may have been talking about the kind we were discussing, which was Cotes du Rhone, as I recall. So maybe their Beaujolais is different, but I think you can do better.
I'd forget the Beaujolais, myself.
No, restaurants don't have rules that you must order wine and no bottled water will be free except in rare circumstances I think I've see it as a choice on a prix fixe menu instead of some other kind of drink.
I have to disagree about the Georges Duboeuf recommendation. I think this is some of the worst cheap French wine I've ever had, so it's not for everyone. They sell it, as well as the Louis Jadot, in the regular supermarkets where I live. One of the wine experts at the wine megamall near where I live (Total Wine) is a French man who really knows his trade, and goes to France on buying trips several times a year -- and he told me Duboeuf doesn't really bottle their own grapes, they just buy up odd lots from other vineyards that they don't want. He said that's why it isn't so good. However, he may have been talking about the kind we were discussing, which was Cotes du Rhone, as I recall. So maybe their Beaujolais is different, but I think you can do better.
I'd forget the Beaujolais, myself.
Oct 6th, 2003, 02:01 PM
#84
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Drat! I was out of town when this thread started and now I'm off to yoga...
I did have a remarkable experience in Philly last week...went to dinner with a BIG group (22?) and was asked to pick out the wine. It was a Smith and Wollenski's -- this chain place only carries US wines, but I have quite a few favs from California. Since the group was so large the waiter suggested I order from the "big bottles"...I ordered a '97 Silver Oak Cab Sauv from the Alexander Valley in a DOUBLE MAGNUM. The didn't have it, but gave us a '98 from Napa. (It actually is a better wine...but we got it at the lesser price) It simply blew everyone away. Just remarkable. yum yum. A client sought me out the next day and asked for the name, etc as she "doesn't usually like red wine." She loved that one!
I did have a remarkable experience in Philly last week...went to dinner with a BIG group (22?) and was asked to pick out the wine. It was a Smith and Wollenski's -- this chain place only carries US wines, but I have quite a few favs from California. Since the group was so large the waiter suggested I order from the "big bottles"...I ordered a '97 Silver Oak Cab Sauv from the Alexander Valley in a DOUBLE MAGNUM. The didn't have it, but gave us a '98 from Napa. (It actually is a better wine...but we got it at the lesser price) It simply blew everyone away. Just remarkable. yum yum. A client sought me out the next day and asked for the name, etc as she "doesn't usually like red wine." She loved that one!
Oct 6th, 2003, 03:33 PM
#85
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In contrast to Christina, I think Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Villages is excellent for an everyday wine. And the Brouilly is even better. Slightly chilled they go with most lighter foods. However, what I think and what Christina thinks is immaterial. If you like it, drink it.
DuBeouf and most shippers buy grapes or wine from many vineyards and it is standard in the industry everywhere in the world. Many vineyards are strictly growers and not into bottling and marketing. The shipper (bottler) has a reputation to uphold and he certainly wouldn't jeopardize it by buying poor quality grapes.
I'm appalled, Christina, that you've never found Macon. When travelling thru Massachusetts stop in Yankee Spirits on Route 20 in Sturbridge. Sometimes the provinces can provide a surprise.
DuBeouf and most shippers buy grapes or wine from many vineyards and it is standard in the industry everywhere in the world. Many vineyards are strictly growers and not into bottling and marketing. The shipper (bottler) has a reputation to uphold and he certainly wouldn't jeopardize it by buying poor quality grapes.
I'm appalled, Christina, that you've never found Macon. When travelling thru Massachusetts stop in Yankee Spirits on Route 20 in Sturbridge. Sometimes the provinces can provide a surprise.
Oct 6th, 2003, 05:29 PM
#87
The macon is available in red and white these wines are from southern burgundy. if one has only tasted the nouveau and the village in a beaujolais, they are missing what a good wine is such as the brouilly, morgan, chiroubles, st. amour s
