help choose a new weekend wine
 

Can you recommend any new wines you might care to share? I need you to know(sadly), that I am limited to white(honestly, I love reds, but the darn headaches are unbearable and I'm not a pill popper). J.:)

rats, my afternoon Earl Grey habit turned me into a night owl, so no more than one cup in the afternoon.. still hoping for suggestions..maybe some earlybirds will respond, haha.

Don't know how new it is but have recently been drinking a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc called Carmen. Very cheap and I think very good.

Not a new idea, but new to me. I found a Sauvugnon Blanc that I LOVE. Kenwood, Sauv. Blanc, California, around $11 in the Boston area.

The headaches may be because of the origin of the wine, not all reds. Is it California reds you had been drinking? Have you tried Italian reds...Chiantis, super Tuscans, Barbera, Barberesco, Dolcetto, Brunello, Barolo?

You might want to post this under the "Other" forum under the WINO'S thread. You'll get lots of advice there.

I am with you..I do not prefer Reds..however, there are some that I like. I know that reds are very "fashionable" right now. However, I drink what I like.

I have a few suggestions....Forest Glen White Merlot about $9.99 per bottle.

Two Buck Chuck. Can be bought ONLY at Trader Joes. It is 2.99 per bottle. The whites are good, however, I have found that the Pinot Noir (Red) is good and does not give me a headache. These are all good wines...not fancy...but good.

Also...sparkling wines are really good. The one I like is hit or miss because it is hard to find. It is a Michigan Wine (yes, I am not particularily fond of them, but this one is good). Mawbry Blanc de Blanc. It is about $18 per bottle. Not cheap but good.

Also, Rosemount Estates (Australian) chardonnay is good.

Harder to find, but really good is a South African wine. The one I had (cannot remember the name, but have had several) had a screw cap. It was good.

Screw caps are actually the "wave" of the future. It no longer indicates, however, it can; a Cheap wine lipe ripple or something.

I have done a lot of research in this area, as I really like wine and liked it even more after we did a tour of the wine country.

I'm convinced the "wine=headache" relationship is determined by body chemistry more than anything else. Whites, for example, give me headaches and flushed skin. CHEAP reds from anywhere in the world (yes, Italy too) will also give me headaches. The sweeter, the bigger the headache (so I stay away from all sweet wines).

California reds are invariably big (vivid bouquet and well-defined flavors), but the better ones reward drinkers with complexity that I don't get from most white wines. Gently test pinot noirs and cabs from the better wineries like Robert Mondavi (this is the low end of the price range, but it's quite drinkable), Frei Brothers (we get their cabs here in CA for around $18 a bottle-- actually cheap for good wine), Firestone and (at the high end) Stags Leap Winery (awesome reds). And any of these wineries will offer whites that are at the very least pleasant, especially in the "heavier" Sauvignon Blanc varieties.

Do you have a wine specialty store near you? That's a great start. The one near my house is run by true wine freaks, and they offer weekend tastings (10 wines, nibbles and a palate-cleansing "amuse-bouche" selection at the end) and evening wine analysis classes. Even attending the informal tastings is smart-- I went to one recently and sampled some brilliant Italian Barolos (they were pricey too, but I had to have a couple of bottles afterward!).

rjw~ great insight for my wine education. I think I'll experiment and not be so provintial..Tina, I honestly did not know Michigan even produced wine, interesting. And South Africa.. oh yes, I visited Stellenbosch in the early eighties as part of a two month vacation and visiting relatives spread from Pretoria/Jo'burg to Capetown, incredibly beautiful country, warm and gracious people(see, gotta stay travel oriented)..I love their wine and Australian too.
emd~ good idea, but I figure posting here will get a wide variety of input and possibly distract our "muffin" from more frivolous posts.

Maybe not new but good solid choices are Toad's Hollow and Toasted Head chardonnays.

jetset1: It's not "provincial" to stick with what you like. It's entirely possible that your system just doesn't take to red wine. That's why I suggest "gently" testing them. And pairing wine with cheese, pepperoni and the like isn't accidental; given how flavors can linger in the mouth with some wines, the fat in cheese mellows them out somewhat. Have a variety of food with varying spice and flavors-- different wines respond in unique ways to, say, a slice of pepperoni than to a hunk of mozzarella with a basil leaf (or whatever).

Without getting all pretentious on you, wine is worth enjoying and learning about, and it can spur on travel plans (I myself am planning a trip up to Paso Robles later this year for some wine tasting).

While you are here in Houston, get your sister to take you to College Station and visit the Messina Hof winery. Pretty good, not great, but very interesting.

Also, have her take you to Spec's downtown. One of the largest wine and liquor stores in the country. In 2001, while winery tour in Napa, the guide asked where each visitor was from. Since that was the time Enron was causing the energy crisis in California, we were afraid to say we were from Houston. When we did answer the question, the host told us he loved Houston. Why? Spec's. It sold more of his wine than any other store in the country.

As for initial question, do you prefer lighter wines (Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio), heavier (Chardonnay) or sweeter (Gerwurztraminer and Riesling). I think Luna di Luna makes a good everyday pinot grigio for under $8. The Chilean wines are some of the best values you will find. If you like sparkling wine, try the Spanish Cavas. We found a great brand that sells for around $6.00.

The Red Wine Headache is one of those age old mysteries that has many different explanations. I find there is a high inverse correlation between quality and headaches. The poorer the quality, the higher probability of a headache.

It is the sulfites in red wine that gives people a headache. French wines..not imported but in France do not have sulfites. We have them in the USA

rjw~ good point. My mom spent a long time in France during her later years. She used to tell my sister and I not to be provincial, more in regard to travel, as that was her passion, and I sort of intended it as wordplay, but failed,lol. As I spent so much time with my mom traveling, I was able to sample many good wines, and I appreciate that to this day.
I used to live in the San Joaquin valley, so I know Paso Robles, though I was only old enough to sample the free almonds back then.
Thanks again for your help. You sound like a valuable source for a bored white wine drinker(time to dust off my Wine for Dummies again). J.

Nothing new, but my favorite white is La Crema Chardonnay. Also, I love Chilean, too - try Santa Rita (readily available) and Undurraga (may be hard to find here).

I love Villa Maria Sauv Blanc from New Zealand. It's about $15.00 a bottle.

Yes, there are Michigan wines. However, there are a few that are even good. I do not prefer Michigan Wines. I happend to come across this one sparkiling one becasue it was served in a 5 star restaurant up North in Michigan. Most however are not even worth purchasing to try.

Tina - all wines contain sulfites. It's a naturally occuring compound. I imagine the reason you don't see them on wine in France is just because the government there doesn't require the warning lable.

jetset1 - Do try Caymus Conundrum. Around $20...it's my absolute favorite white, and I think it has a lot of complexity. It's a blend of several whites, and although it's a dry wine, it has enough fruit and body to make it enjoyable w/out food.

Just for fun try some of the nicer dessert wines and blushes. I had been discriminating against sweeter wines until I started trying the better ones. Good French blushes and German dessert wines may be a nice surprise.

I like Chardonnays from Casa La Postolle (Chile) and Edna Valley, CA. They are each under $15/bottle.

The sulfites have a different reaction with reds imported. The processing is different in whites, therefore not creating the same reaction.

neworleanslady~ I've had two bottles of the Santa Rita this month and it is quite good. I need to go to another store this weekend, since I'm getting a reputation for looking dazed and confused when I look for new ones at my usual stop!

It's like so many other things, choices, so...ooooooo many choices.. I've spent more time reading labels than I do at the library. My right tricep is showing improvement though,lol. I don't really budget either, I like to stay around $10-15, but I can justify spending more if the description is appealing.
Litespeed, I want to try Caymus Conundrum, if only for the intriguing name. I used to like Evolution with the Chinese characters too:)

Another vote for Conundrum. I've not tried another blend that so well retains the character and flavors of each of whatever varietals are used.

This is my favorite time of years for reds, but a few of the whites I've been enjoying lately from our stock are:

Arciero Muscat Cannelli (Paso Robles)

EOS Moscato (Paso Robles)

St. Julien Chardonnay (Monterey area)

Kenwood Chardonnay (Sonoma)

Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)

King Estate Muellar Thargau (Oregon)

Chateau St. Michelle Riesling (Washington)

Gainey Triada (Santa Inez Valley) 2002

EOS Sauv Blanc (Paso Robles) Cheers! ***kim*** ((*))

jetset1 you should taste a few Viogners to see if you like them! My faves are:

Imagery Artistry Viognier (Sonoma)

Westbrook Viognier (Madera,CA)

Chumeia Viognier (Paso Robles) We bought a case of this at a Wine Tour we recently went on. :D Can others recommend any of their fave Viogniers?

I also love most of the Sauv Blancs from New Zealand. Cheers! ***kim*** ((f))

I am too a migraine sufferer. My favorite (and happened to be inexpensive) is the Sutter House's Moscato (not the red Muscat, the white Moscato). Do you have Safeway or Albertson's in your area? They carry it in 2 sizes.

Trade Joe's also carries that! jetset, you may want to browse through your local Trader Joe's. Its' great fun and you can find some real bargains there! =D> ***kim***

Yes, I have Safeway here, as well as three other good sources, then Anchorage for anything really unique.
I've wondered.. WWKD.. what would Kal do? but don't know that he's into wine. Probably still preening like a peacock after all the notoriety this week, ha ha.

FA,
Have you ever had a real IT Moscato? They have about 5% etoh and are "foamy" - simply delicious on a warm Spring afternoon.
JS1,
The bigger CA Chardonnays give me a headache. The whites of Chile and Argentina are nice everyday wines. If you see the Casa LaPostelle Sauvignon Blanc or the Montes (esp '03) Fume Blanc, do try those - maybe $8. at discount. The Cuvee Alexandre Chard from LaPostelle and the Alpha Chard from Montes are usually world class, and at $15. way better than nearly all similar priced Chards from CA imho.
I loved the '02 Lurton Pinot Gris from Argentina @ $6.
We are seeing quite a few Austrian whites (Gruner Weltliner, an occasional Sauv Blanc and Riesling) here, but they can be a bit pricey c/w German counterparts.
Lastly, try some Alsatians: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, etc.
M

mikemo.. I'm furiously taking notes, good choices. I tend to favor the South American wines, the Chilean ones certainly agree with me~ no real experience with Austrian wine, have had Gewurtraminer numerous times(an ode to my German heritage).
btw, when you were in San Miguel de Allende(not sure if you're there now), did you ever meet an ex-pat named Arlene, rather heavyset, short curly hair and outgoing? thanks, J.

Glad to see mikemo chime in-- he's the Forum wine expert. And mike, you may have a point on the CA chards. But my palate just doesn't "get" Alsatian whites, for some reason.... Argentine and Chilean? I like the reds, so I'll have to try their whites now.

ttt

>I love Villa Maria Sauv Blanc from New Zealand. It's about $15.00 a bottle. <<

I'll second this recommendation, and mention that you can get it at Costco for about $10 a bottle. :-)

I just tried a King Estate Pinot Gris that I liked quite a bit.

Lee Ann

The Chilean reds from Mont Gras are VG and reasonably priced. Had a '01 Malbec - Limited Release - last PM (I think my first Chilean Malbec after boatloads from Argentina)) and a '99 Reserve Cab last week. They can be found under $10 (I think I paid $8. @ Red Coleman's 20% off sale). We often have the '01 Cab/Syrah Res in MX and I have an '02 "Quatro" Res (Cab/Malbec/Carmenere/Merlot) which I have not tasted.
I stopped buying the near/often great Casa LaPostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot several years ago when the price went from under $12. to nearly $24. at full retail in a brief time period. They also make a Syrah and a Pinot Noir which are "interesting"
Look also for the great 1/2 dozen or so dry Roses from SW France imported by Robert Kacher (Grand Cassagne, Petite Cassagne, Mas de Guiot, St Antoine, etc.)and there are some dry Spanish and Portugese Roses that are nearly as good - most $6. - $8. - we drank many with local seafood last July in NW PT and Galicia as SO doesn't care for my fav white Albarino/Alvarinhos from the area.
For the Conundrum lovers, try an Arneis (the grape) from Italy (Ceretto's Blange is VVG) or from one of the tiny producers in CA - we had one at Terre which was produced in St Helena and delicious.
Buen fin de semana.
M

Another Villa Maria fan here. Costco has the best price and you can get it at Vons/Safeway on sale quite often for around $12.

Another couple had a Carmenet Chard last PM - VG: and I saw it for $6.39 at Simon David (Tom Thumb) this AM.
M

Jetset1,
I know an ancient New England academic expat (Arlene Jones) who is a real hoot. I'll be in my new house in June if all goes well.
M

I love Il Processco. I think the pop top is so cool and the wine is not very bubbly but doesn't give you that headachy aftertaste.

A waiter friend of mine today said he was at Costco with a friend of his, when she grabbed her Costco favorite -- a bottle of Villa Antinori Tuscano (a Super Tuscan) for $17. He nearly dropped dead, because that happens to be one of the more popular Super Tuscans on his restaurant's wine list -- at $78 a bottle.

I recently heard on a cable channel that ordering Merlot at a restaurant is really un-cool. I like Merlot. Can anyone tell me why it is un-cool, or is this a comment with no merit? Do I look like I'm ordering "Ripple" if I say Merlot?
Thanks.