Wine drinkers - what are you having today/tonight?
#46
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
It is our favorite. I get a nice allocation from Dumol, and have from their inception. Their wine maker is Andy Smith, formerly with Paul Hobbs. Send me a PM next time you are in Sonoma, and I will crack a bottle open for us to enjoy.
We are off to the Margaret River to sample some fine Shiraz in a a few weeks. If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears.
We are off to the Margaret River to sample some fine Shiraz in a a few weeks. If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears.
In addition to my addiction to anything from Sojourn, I have recently fallen deeply in lust with the Pinots being produced by Zepaltas.
As for Shiraz recs. in Margaret River, I would say if you are going for a more fruity, less restrained and less Rhone style you will enjoy most of the fiun producers down there. If you are looking for more strangulation and the associated spice and plum you may want to tack on a stop to the Barossa for a different spin on Australian Shiraz.
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,080
I've heard of Sojourn.
In June 2013, we're having WineDo 6 in New York City. Nothing like a bunch of Flyertalkers getting together to drink good wine and talk miles and points. The thread will appear in Community early next year. You're all invited.
By the way, there's a wine board some of you should check out. It's www.wineberserkers.com They talk wine the way we discuss miles and points. A few of those guys even post over here.
In June 2013, we're having WineDo 6 in New York City. Nothing like a bunch of Flyertalkers getting together to drink good wine and talk miles and points. The thread will appear in Community early next year. You're all invited.
By the way, there's a wine board some of you should check out. It's www.wineberserkers.com They talk wine the way we discuss miles and points. A few of those guys even post over here.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,633
By the way, there's a wine board some of you should check out. It's www.wineberserkers.com They talk wine the way we discuss miles and points. A few of those guys even post over here.
Back to the topic, my last wine was 2 winery stops - Broc Cellars and Donkey & Goat - took the dog for a walk to the wineries. Both had something in the SF Chron's Top 100 this week.
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
You know, I drank almost nothing before my early forties because I never splurged on a bottle. If I did buy a bottle of wine it was usually something cheap, leading me to believe that I didn't like wine. It was only after I bought one of those great, orgasmic Burgundies that I thought wow, this is just unbelievable..My wife professed the same thing until I would say, okay, try this and this and this, and then tell me you still don't like wine
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
You know, I drank almost nothing before my early forties because I never splurged on a bottle. If I did buy a bottle of wine it was usually something cheap, leading me to believe that I didn't like wine. It was only after I bought one of those great, orgasmic Burgundies that I thought wow, this is just unbelievable..My wife professed the same thing until I would say, okay, try this and this and this, and then tell me you still don't like wine
I would love to find some good-for-everyday-drinking French wines in the $20-50 range. I really like the old world winemaking style more than the new world one.
Where can I learn more about French wines? I am of course particular to pinot noir, but there are no varietals I dismiss out of hand.
Incidentally, if you're in the market for an American pinot noir, check out Freeman and Shea. Freeman is, according to the aforementioned wine friend, the best bang for your buck in US pinot noir. Shea is his favorite US pinot noir. I love them both. Freeman's Akiko's Cuvee and Keefer Ranch cuvee are great. Shea's Block 7 and Homer are outstanding.
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
This makes no sense. There's literally tons (or I should say millions of gallons) of wine to enjoy without ever coming close to splurging.
#56
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
That's the thing - my friend with the 4000 bottle wine cellar has poured Grand Cru Burgundies for me on multiple occasions (we had a 1997 Alain Hudelot-Noellat Richebourg for my birthday this year). He also pours old Bordeaux wines. I love them, but can't afford them...and I probably wouldn't spend the money even if I could afford it.
I would love to find some good-for-everyday-drinking French wines in the $20-50 range. I really like the old world winemaking style more than the new world one.
Where can I learn more about French wines? I am of course particular to pinot noir, but there are no varietals I dismiss out of hand.
Incidentally, if you're in the market for an American pinot noir, check out Freeman and Shea. Freeman is, according to the aforementioned wine friend, the best bang for your buck in US pinot noir. Shea is his favorite US pinot noir. I love them both. Freeman's Akiko's Cuvee and Keefer Ranch cuvee are great. Shea's Block 7 and Homer are outstanding.
I would love to find some good-for-everyday-drinking French wines in the $20-50 range. I really like the old world winemaking style more than the new world one.
Where can I learn more about French wines? I am of course particular to pinot noir, but there are no varietals I dismiss out of hand.
Incidentally, if you're in the market for an American pinot noir, check out Freeman and Shea. Freeman is, according to the aforementioned wine friend, the best bang for your buck in US pinot noir. Shea is his favorite US pinot noir. I love them both. Freeman's Akiko's Cuvee and Keefer Ranch cuvee are great. Shea's Block 7 and Homer are outstanding.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,080
Incidentally, if you're in the market for an American pinot noir, check out Freeman and Shea. Freeman is, according to the aforementioned wine friend, the best bang for your buck in US pinot noir. Shea is his favorite US pinot noir. I love them both. Freeman's Akiko's Cuvee and Keefer Ranch cuvee are great. Shea's Block 7 and Homer are outstanding.
Why don't you come to WineDo? The minimum buy in is $35.
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
So, my understanding is that Dick Shea doesn't do tours or appointments, but my aforementioned wine friend was persistent (and bought several cases) and got us an appointment when we went to the Willamette Valley a couple years ago. I got to taste Block 5 and Homer out of the tanks.
I'd love to come to the WineDo. The one in June?
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
I guess the point I was trying to make is that knowledge is key. You can certainly get good wine cheaply, provided you know what to buy. I know now that I don't need to spend much to get a nice Rioja, Minervois, or CDR, for example. When I first started buying wine (in the pre-internet days) I didn't know what I was buying, I was just trying to get something cheap, and more often than not I came home with crap. That created an impression that lasted a long time.