Wine Amateurs Thread.

[LargoWinch]

Gents and Gals, I would like to dedicate this Rave to all wine lovers and their wine or wine-related suggestions. After all, hard assets are now "in"?

Allow me to start first, by suggesting not a wine, but Breathable Glasses.

These have been suggested to me early this year by a Restaurant owner here in Toronto, which specializes in fine wine (the restaurant's wine cellar contains roughly 18,000 bottles including a 1949 Bordeaux).

Now I was highly skeptical at first, but I must admit that I am (and my wife are) very pleased so far. So much so, that I find decanting no longer necessary.

According to the company's website:

[The glass] are made from a special raw material mixture in lead-free crystalglass quality.

...a wine poured into a Breathable Glass for just 2 to 4 minutes will show signs of aeration equivalent to the same wine that has been decanted and aerated for 1 to 2 hours.

Here is the website (I have no affiliation with them):
http://www.eisch.de/eng/website/news...lass/index.php

I bought mine on ebay, since it appears that all direct vendors ship only within Europe. Cost is very reasonable at about EUR16.00 or USD18.00 per glass.

[Slimprofits]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

I've attached a file that a friend of mine, a self described wine aficionado put together. It is a very good, budget wine list. Everything on the list scored 85 or higher in Wine Spectator for what that is worth.

[Chomsky]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

I'm a pretty serious wine amateur, mostly into French country wines though I like most anything as long as it is not too ripe or obliterated by new oak.

Since summer's on the horizon and the weather is getting warmer, here are a few rose suggestions. I like roses made from Cabernet Franc, which tends to make for crisp, flavorful wines with good character. Look for wines from the Loire, from such appellations as Chinon, Bourgueil, and Touraine. Producers I like include:

Nicolas Grosbois
Jean-Maurice Raffault
Jean-Marc Villemaine
Bernard Baudry
Guion

None should run you more than $15-$18.

Also awesome are white wines from Muscadet, another Loire appellation. These whites are very lean and exquisitely refreshing, and very affordable ($12). They are the perfect accompaniment to oysters. My favorite producers are:

Domaine de la Pepiere
Domaine de la Louvetrie
Luneau-Papin

Enjoy!

[*T*]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Folks, although not a wine buff, I'm off to buy a good hundred bottles or so this week for my wedding. I'll be matching with quite spicy food. So I'm thinking off-dry or semi sweet white, maybe a new world chardonnay. Red perhaps medium to heavy. I know very little about wine and may not have much chance to taste beforehand. So, dear wine buffs, would you care to dispense any advice?

[Chomsky]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Folks, although not a wine buff, I'm off to buy a good hundred bottles or so this week for my wedding. I'll be matching with quite spicy food. So I'm thinking off-dry or semi sweet white, maybe a new world chardonnay. Red perhaps medium to heavy. I know very little about wine and may not have much chance to taste beforehand. So, dear wine buffs, would you care to dispense any advice?

You're right, spicy food goes best with off-dry or sweet white wines. You probably don't want to break the bank, either. I'd suggest a German riesling, but one not too sweet. They are supremely food friendly. Try, for example, a 2007 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" -- cheap and good. Or, a little bit more expensive, a Kabinett from Selbach-Oster or perhaps from Darting.

Or, from Alsace in France, where many whites carry a bit of sweetness, try Trimbach's Pinot Gris Reserve -- there's some sweetness but it's very well balanced and super food-friendly. Wines from producers like Boxler and Leon Beyer are also great choices.

Heavy reds, on the other hand, do not go well with spicy food, as the spices tend to reinforce the astringency of tannins, making the wine taste more bitter. Go with something lighter and fresher, like a good cru beaujolais from the towns of Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-a-Vent, Brouilly, etc. Or a lighter red from the Loire that can be served with a slight chill.

If you have a good wine store near you, ask them for recommendations as well.

[LargoWinch]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Folks, although not a wine buff, I'm off to buy a good hundred bottles or so this week for my wedding. I'll be matching with quite spicy food. So I'm thinking off-dry or semi sweet white, maybe a new world chardonnay. Red perhaps medium to heavy. I know very little about wine and may not have much chance to taste beforehand. So, dear wine buffs, would you care to dispense any advice?

I do not know about the choices in the UK *T*, but let me say this: congrats on the wedding!

[Chomsky]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

BTW, this is a great wine web site in the UK:

http://www.everywine.co.uk

They have some of the wines I suggested. They may be able to help you.

[thunderdownunder]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Congratulations and long and good life to you and yours.

My suggestion is a wine that holds "tears of an angel"http://www.devils-lair.com/images/chardonnaylabel.gif

or the Fifth Leg which is what you will need to get home

[LargoWinch]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Image as per thunder above:

[*T*]

Re: Wine Amateurs Thread.

Thanks all.