Wine drinkers - what are you having today/tonight?
Dec 6, 2012, 1:26 am
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
To help me learn about French wine, I read Andrew Jeffords "The New France".
http://www.amazon.com/The-New-France.../dp/184000410X
It's an absolutely exhaustive, but very readable guide to every major wine growing region in France. He painstakingly describes virtually every terroir and how it affects the wine. I'll read a section, make some notes, then look for his recommendations the next time I go shopping.
For Burgundies I like to read "The Great Domaines of Burgundy", but it's a little above me in terms of what I can afford to buy as it focuses on the best of the best. Lots of useful information though about the differences between the different villages.
In terms of your price range you could certainly get good French wine here from any region, and we do, but not sure what sorts of prices you have to pay in NYC. I did make a trip to Philadelphia during the year and in one store was surprised at how extensive a selection of French wines they had on hand. The prices didn't really seem that bad to me either.
I would like to do the opposite as you - I'm still thinking about some of the better American wines I've had and if I had local choices that's probably what I would buy for the next year.
Dec 6, 2012, 7:10 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
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.
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.
this is shea http://www.sheawinecellars.com/vineyard/ he started as a grower. couple years later, he started vinifing.
he did not sell under the shea name, but sold naked bottles. we were able to procure his wine in an unlabeled format.
each year he would set out a few bottles of each plot, in a huge semicircle, and taste and blend . (30 or so blocks). this was referred to as shea stadium .
a number of very famous pinots are not listed as shea lot owners. the one that comes to mind is patrica green.
Dec 6, 2012, 8:52 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,079
Dec 8, 2012, 9:00 am
#67
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: AGP
Programs: UA *G 1MM, DL GM, HH Diamond, PC Gold
Posts: 255
Dec 8, 2012, 9:43 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
Dec 12, 2012, 11:58 am
#70
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Just brought home some small allotments of: 2009 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2009 Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the 2010 Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Now I am resisting the temptation to open tonight. These all need a few years although the '09 Beaucastel could be fine with a bit of decanting.
Now I am resisting the temptation to open tonight. These all need a few years although the '09 Beaucastel could be fine with a bit of decanting.
Dec 13, 2012, 1:12 am
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
I've had a couple of very nice bottles this week
Nuit St. George Gastron Andre
Hermitage Les Chamblards
A couple of decent bottles
Pouilly Fuisse Domaine des Rochers
Haut Medoc Chateau du Moulin Rouge
And some dreck that isn't worth mentioning.
Nuit St. George Gastron Andre
Hermitage Les Chamblards
A couple of decent bottles
Pouilly Fuisse Domaine des Rochers
Haut Medoc Chateau du Moulin Rouge
And some dreck that isn't worth mentioning.
Dec 13, 2012, 5:35 pm
#73
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
Just brought home some small allotments of: 2009 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2009 Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the 2010 Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Now I am resisting the temptation to open tonight. These all need a few years although the '09 Beaucastel could be fine with a bit of decanting.
Now I am resisting the temptation to open tonight. These all need a few years although the '09 Beaucastel could be fine with a bit of decanting.
They are resting in the dark until then.
Dec 14, 2012, 10:46 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,629
Tonight was a bargain bottle of Safe Widows cava and a nice bottle of Donkey and Goat Stonecrusher Rousanne (a nice cold weather white).
Tomorrow, with a special Thai birthday dinner (off menu special cookins for us), I'm bringing:
NV Moutard Champagne Brut Grand Cuvee (we may have this at home before we go)
2011 Gilles Lesimple Sancerre
2009 Frick Viognier
2008 Frick Cinsault
Tomorrow, with a special Thai birthday dinner (off menu special cookins for us), I'm bringing:
NV Moutard Champagne Brut Grand Cuvee (we may have this at home before we go)
2011 Gilles Lesimple Sancerre
2009 Frick Viognier
2008 Frick Cinsault
Dec 15, 2012, 5:03 am
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
http://www.sfgate.com/recipes/articl...HT-2556894.php
Good article on the challenges of trying to pair wine with Indian food. Sounds like beer is a safer bet
Good article on the challenges of trying to pair wine with Indian food. Sounds like beer is a safer bet