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Pastimes : Wine You Can Enjoy @ Under $20 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SG who wrote (863)	11/12/2009 2:54:19 PM
From: MoneyPenny	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1277

swish and spit the next time. <G> It was interesting to me to see your lists. Usually you can tell who the dominant distributor is (there often is one in each state that sort of monopolizes the market, generally whoever reps the biggest houses) I don't know who is the big dog in your area, but in mine, it is Southern. They have every state rep and senator in their pocket and keep smaller distributors from getting as much play. They dominate the wine lists in Florida restaurants except for the very wine oriented ones. I digress... Looking at your list, I'd say Carolina and United were the big 'uns at your tasting last night and probably had the best placement in the room. I think Columbia Crest does a great job of having quality wines at a high QPR. It is a very commercial wine, or grocery store wine but it is reliable year after year. I have tried a number of the wines listed, maybe a 1/3 of them, and but have not drunk any of them lately other than the Torrontes by Crios. It is not my favorite Torrontes, though. I like one called Phebus. It has a viognier nose with a light and bright feel that is nice for hot florida weather. Penfold's is the best name in Australia wine, at least in my experience. I have a couple of bottles of their Grange (I don't remember the year or bin) here in my tiny little "cellar" does a styrofoam shipping container count?) Now that is a syrah (shiraz). MP

To: SG who wrote (863)	11/12/2009 3:05:10 PM
From: Peter Dierks	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1277

I would start with the whites and come back for the reds. Spitting is ok. Actually if you want to taste a bunch it is mandatory. There are lots of labels I am not familiar with. The ones I recognise are not giving away their expensive labels. Do a little research before you show up so you can choose the wines you want to try. After watching you choose a few the vender can suggest some others you might like. Don't try everything. Do take your time. Try and then buy a few bottles of the Lafite Special Reserve White. White Bordeaux is unique. It is not their grand cru offering so don't pay more that $16 or so. Try the Sancerre at the same table, the grape can produce very interesting wines. Notes of high quality names I recognise: Rodney Strong - good - decent value Stags Leap - great Bollinger - very good Frei Brothers - good Chateau St. Jean - Very good - generally a big wine Penfolds - outstanding name - could e a good value. Domaine St Michelle Brut - May be interesting Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling - ditto Columbia Crest Grand Estate Chardonnay - Gallo of the Northwest - can be a good value Columbia Crest Grand Estate Merlot - ditto Chateau Ste Michelle Cab Sauv Indian Well - see above Have fun. The bread or cheese is there to cleanse your pallet. You taste better if you don't eat first.

To: SG who wrote (863)	11/12/2009 5:21:24 PM
From: Mark Marcellus	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1277

Aussie Shiraz isn't really my thing, but I've had Nine Stones in the past and it's a decent wine at a good price. It's especially suited to those who don't like the "fruit bomb" style. You should definitely take the opportunity to taste the Stag's Leap, whether you want to pony up the bucks to buy it is another question. Don't be afraid to spit. Don't be shy about tossing out the remainder of wine you don't like. Make sure to position yourself strategically near the spit bucket before tasting. Save the swallows for the good stuff. Don't be too embarrassed about last year, though I imagine you won't want to repeat the experience. It is not unheard of for the customers to get drunk at wine tastings. IMO, the stores tend to encourage it because it leads to higher sales. The occasional mishap that results is simply part of the cost of business for them.