WINES

[Epigonos]

Rather than hijack the thread on Sunday dinner I thought I might start a thread regarding wine choices. Since I was serving shrimp on Sunday and my guest is a white wine fan I served a Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. I on the other hand am NOT a white wine fan. I am a big fan of Pinot Noir and Syrah. I also enjoy some Spanish Riojas.

Ok guys lets hear from you regarding recommendations of affordable wines.

[Mo Mason]

A six-dollar bottle of pink moscato will do me fine.

 

I'm a cheap drunk.

[+ deej]

Rather than hijack the thread on Sunday dinner I thought I might start a thread regarding wine choices. Since I was serving shrimp on Sunday and my guest is a white wine fan I served a Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. I on the other hand am NOT a white wine fan. A am a big fan of Pinot Noir and Syrah. I also enjoy some Spanish Riojas.

Ok guys lets hear from you regarding recommendations of affordable wines.

 

If you like a good Pinot Noir, also look at Zinfandel. (It pairs particularly well with a good steak.)

 

I have not sampled all of the California vintners by any means, but when purpose-shopping for a special meal the Kendall-Jackson label always gets my attention. I've yet to be disappointed by their offerings.

 

When I'm just getting together with neighbors for our weekly game of dominos? Kirkland's Argentinian Malbec is a favorite around the table. (They also sometimes have an old vine Zinfandel by a winery named Bogle that's pretty good.)

[bigvalboy]

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut.

I drank this for years. It's a nice sparkling wine, pretty clean, and quite festive. I got this last year during the holidays and I think I paid somewhere around 8 bucks for it. I don't drink wine nearly as much as I used to, so much of this has been replaced with Gin or Scotch.(but that's another show)

 

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

For a nice red wine, this is an old old favorite. A little sweet but a wonderful rich flavor, pairs great with steak.

Trader Joe's has it for around 10 bucks. I think that's a damn good price for the quality.

 

Most on here will recall that I'm a Bombay tonic girl now, or a nice glass of B&B, neat in a snifter.(An old friend that I've renewed an acquaintance with )

[rvwnsd]

I am a red fan, but given freinds like whites I always have a Bogle Chardonnay in the fridge. I happen to be a huge Zin and Malbec fan. Bogle's regular and old vine Zins are both delicious. Gnarly Head is also good. In the $15 - $20 range, Tobin James Zinfandel and red blend are both good choices. They sometimes have the Zin at Costco. Baron's Market, which is local to San Diego, carries it. They have a Temecula store if you do not feel like trekking to SD County. FYI - Baron's itself is worth a trip. Think Whole Foods quality with Sprouts prices. But I digress...

 

A Malbec that I really like is called Tamari. So far, I have only found it by the glass at a local cafe and at the Water Grill restaurants, but I bet they sell it at BevMo (CA-based wine and liquor chain) and I would be surprised if Total Wines and Spirits (for those living elsewhere) and Binny's (for our Chicago area winos) didn't carry it.

[whipped guy]

I drink White Zin, the wine for those who know nothing about wine and don't care to know anything about wine. For a sparking wine a good cheap bottle of J. Rogét Spumante works just fine. A certain escort usually has a sparkling wine that's even less expensive on hand. Of course he buys it by the case.

 

Sorry to disappoint, but I'm more turned on by a fine extra virgin olive oil than wine, not to mention the different variations of leather used to fabricate a flogger.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

my wine of choice the last couple of years is a Malbec. An Argentinian red wine, I have yet to have a bottle I did not throughly enjoy.

[Epigonos]

Bigvalboy I totally agree I am a real fan of Louis Jadot wines particularly the Beaujolais.

 

 

[+ deej]

my wine of choice the last couple of years is a Malbec. An Argentinian red wine, I have yet to have a bottle I did not throughly enjoy.

 

Most wine snobs who swear by a good Bordeaux don't realize that a Bordeaux is actually a blend and one of the wines used in that blend is usually a Malbec. It happens that the grapes for Malbec grow well in Argentina so it has become a matter of national pride.

 

A well-done blend (like the occasional Rioja -- which means RED) can be a good thing.

[+ dutchmuch]

[instudiocity]

I like my Cabs Big, Bold, Old and right off the Rutherford Bench. 10 years old or more.

 

My Zins come off mountains: Howell, Atlas Peak, Diamond, Amador.

From hot valleys: Lodi and maybe a Sonoma, or Paso Robles (Dante Dusi Zin) 4-6 years old

 

My Pinot Noirs are from Santa Barbara County. 4 years old

 

I like Santa Barbara Chardonnays, Carneros Chardonnays, Sonoma Chardonnays as wells as Gewürztraminers, and Sauvignon Blancs. Last year's vintages.

[Samfoslom]

Being from Northern Calif, I am partial to wines from here. We are somewhat spoiled because it is relatively easy to find a very good bottle of wine under $20. For affordable wines from good wineries, you can look to Rodney Strong, and Kenwood from Sonoma, Rosenblum from Napa, Bogle from the Sacramento region, Runquist, Cooper, and Amador Cellars from Amador. Rodney Strong and Kenwood and Rosenblum are good for Zins, Cabs, and Pinot. Bogle also for Zin and Cab. Runquist, Cooper and Amador Cellars excel in Barbera, which is Amador County's specialty. So far these are all reds. For a different white, you may want to try Viogneir (pron vin nee), which is a Rhone varietal that is becoming popular here. It's something in between a sweet of a Sav Blanc and dry of a Chardonnay. The Argentine Malbec from Costco is also excellent, as are "7 Deadly Zins" and "Gnarly Head" local go to reds that Costco carries in this region. I have also tried a Hahn Pinot Noir from Monterrey County that is surprisingly good and affordable.

[Samfoslom]

 

Yes. Kendall Jackson is a good go-to choice. BTW, the man is a lawyer who is a transplant to the Sonoma Valley. When he first came in he sued Gallo Sonoma Vineyards over their use of the brand "Turning Leaf" and the picture of turning leaves on their labels. Rumor has it, he is widely dispised by the other vintners......

[swallows22]

A great Aussie cab sav. Cannot beat it!

[MikeBiDude]

I like my Cabs Big, Bold, Old and right off the Rutherford Bench. 10 years old or more.

 

My Zins come off mountains: Howell, Atlas Peak, Diamond, Amador.

From hot valleys: Lodi and maybe a Sonoma, or Paso Robles (Dante Dusi Zin) 4-6 years old

 

My Pinot Noirs are from Santa Barbara County. 4 years old

 

I like Santa Barbara Chardonnays, Carneros Chardonnays, Sonoma Chardonnays as wells as Gewürztraminers, and Sauvignon Blancs. Last year's vintages.

I no longer partake, but you and I could be oenophile twins back in my day

I spent some time on the picnic benches at Howell Mountain one beautiful afternoon...

[+ bashful]

I've only been actively drinking wine for the last couple of years, first whites, then have progressed to reds. Of the whites, a chardonnay that is not too oaky. Kendal Jackson Advant is usually on sale for just under $10. Have discovered "unoaked" such as Chamisal. When in a mood to splurge (so long as no more than $19.99 and that's usually at Costo), Sonoma Cutrer, or Ferrari Carano.

 

Pinot Gris/Grigios I like are J, and Ponzi from Oregon.

 

Pinot Noirs on my go to list are Rodney Strong Russian River Valley, Cline (slightly less cost), and Meiomi if on sale in the $15.00 range.

 

This has gotten me in the mood to pour a glass of something. Cheers.

[Mac64]

Pinot Noir almost exclusively. Like Bashful, I'm a fan of Meiomi if I can get it for a good price. I look for wines in the $13-$18 range for everyday drinking. Right now I'm drinking a Christopher Michael, Oregon Pinot Noir that I picked up this evening along with a couple bottles of another favorite, The Pinot Project.

[Epigonos]

Have found Meiomi Pinot Noir locally for $15.97. As I am not familiar with Meiomi, is that a decent price?

[+ bashful]

Have found Meiomi Pinot Noir locally for $15.97. As I am not familiar with Meiomi, so is that a decent price?

 

That's a great price. In my neighborhood, when not on sale, usually at 20 bucks ($19.99). Pick up a bottle and try it out.

[+ bashful]

Christopher Michael, Oregon Pinot Noir

 

I'm going to look for it and try it.

[Epigonos]

Thanks bashful. I take your word that it is good and probably buy a case.

[+ bashful]

The Pinot Project

 

Is that the name of the wine?

[+ bashful]

Thanks bashful. I take your word that it is good and probably buy a case.

 

I've learned, wine taste is subjective. While I buy a case if on sale, make sure you like it first.

[+ nycman]

Pinot is French for "piss water".

 

Call me a snob but.....

 

I only drink Cali Cabs...French Bordeaux....Italian Super Tuscans....and the occasional Châteauneuf-du-Pape...

all other reds should be used for cooking or getting pissed drunk at the local Ramada Inn when you're 20 years old.

 

I'm a little more open to exploration with whites....but again...Pinot anything = "I'm too poor to afford a real wine"

 

Rosés are crap on a good day....but what else does one drink on the beach in St. Barts?

 

Location is everything!

 

De gustibus non est disputandum!

[bigvalboy]

Pinot Noirs on my go to list are Rodney Strong Russian River Valley

 

This has gotten me in the mood to pour a glass of something. Cheers.

 

Thanks for reminding me of Rodney Strong. Their Reserve Cab is one of my favorites, and a nice wine for the hostess. Great 'bang for your buck'...