Wine

[Tamthewasp]

My australian Rose went down rather nice.

But what is a nice red 2 have with a roast. ( Potatoes, beef, veg, yorkshire puddings.)

I'm new 2 this wine game. 6 months or so.

An yes Avanish Buckfast tonic wine, I've been drinking that for 10 years. I have nothing bad 2 say about it regardless of all the crap it gets.

[Cro Morgan]

People who pair certain types of wine with certain types of food aren't thinking enough for themselves, mostly, yep, brainwashed by advertising/marketers.

Like most things in life, wine isn't as complicated as one leads you to believe.

[Tamthewasp]

People who pair certain types of wine with certain types of food aren't thinking enough for themselves, mostly, yep, brainwashed by advertising/marketers.

Like most things in life, wine isn't as complicated as one leads you to believe.

Yh I think this aswell but on the flipside. Food and wine do go together. Just like roses and chocolates.

[Cro Morgan]

on the flipside. Food and wine do go together. Just like roses and chocolates.

Not true. Marketing, again.

[Tamthewasp]

Marketing is a good thing. Like roses on there own or chocolates on there own do not work as good as a combo. Roses plus chocolates garuantees a good night.

Mayne i'm biased working in marketting.

[edlglide]

Red wine for sure.

At the moment malbecs are my favorites -- used to be pinot noirs, but I had an amazing malbec on New Year's Eve and been loving them since. Also like cabs and chiantis.

[L Sanchez MD]

Red wine for sure.

At the moment malbecs are my favorites -- used to be pinot noirs, but I had an amazing malbec on New Year's Eve and been loving them since. Also like cabs and chiantis.

A nice one?

[VillaJ100]

In vegas on NYE 2009-10 we bought 6 bottles of Bollinger. However i cannot remember this, and the only reason we knew was due to finding the said bottles the next morning with empty champagne glasses...

[djarvik]

People who pair certain types of wine with certain types of food aren't thinking enough for themselves, mostly, yep, brainwashed by advertising/marketers.

Like most things in life, wine isn't as complicated as one leads you to believe.

Hmm....not even close. You are talking about your average snob that thinks he "knows".


I have been tasting wines and paring them with food for some time now. No one tells me anything, no one markets to me. I usually go to winery directly and taste the wine there, then buy if I like. When forced to go to the store (quite often lately) I certainly don't pick my wines via Beautiful Labels or prices. I look at region first, verity second, alcohol content, who made the wine (if it was made by the same winery that tries to sell it).

It is rather easy to spot when buying wine, look on the back for the following:

- Bottled by "Blah, Blah Winery"
Usually this winery buys the wine ready from either local small wineries or wholesale from a reputable winery that didn't get desired results that year. I suggest to stay away from such wine, unless you tried it and it is good, even then make sure to keep your vintage the same. Next year the wine might change as they may get a deal elsewhere.

- Aged/Cellared by "Blah, Blah Winery"
Means almost the same as "Bottled", but in this case they actually bought young wine and aged it for some time. These wines tend to be better then above. Certain wines simply don't benefit from aging, so the selection process here is a bit better.

- Made by/Produced by "Blah, Blah Winery"
This is what you looking for. This means that the winery bottling and selling you the wine actually made it. The wine still can be bad, sometimes awful, but at least you know that the winery either grew the grapes themselves or purchased the right for them grapes, rather then buy a lot of ready wine. Then they (winemakers) actually applied their in house wine making skills creating a product. Wineries work on reputation. So chances are they will put their best foot forward on this one.

- Estate Bottled by "Blah, Blah Winery"
This means that the winery grew grapes local, made the wine and bottled it themselves. Grapes must be within a certain proximity to the actually wine making winery. Depending on the regions - rules may vary, but these are usually grown really close near by to the winery and represent the top line of the wine maker. This category can be both, a wallet buster and a great find. The smaller wineries and less known will be rather inexpensive, while the more reputable ones will capitalize on their name. The middle ground is the sweet spot.

- Estate bottled, "Name of the vineyard" by "Blah, Blah Winery"
These are wineries best efforts from proven vineyards (usually mature vineyards, 20+ years). Expensive wines, over the top. But these will be the best ones. Same principle, you want to go with a less known winery as the the bigger names tend to overcharge grossly. Yes, it is excellent wine, but not worth the money, that is for sure. But again, you can find some great ones that are not that expensive and come from the new wineries or winemakers. These best purchased at the winery. If it made it to the store - it is big and will be expensive.


Here is an example of a few bottles of the last category from my cellar. I bought the 2002 for $28 and the 2005 for $31. 2002 was this wineries first effort. Now the bottle easily goes for over $60 for current vintage. My bottles are worth about tipple now.





As for pairing with food, well, if you like to cook, you then understand the pairings and why they work. And they do work. There is nothing better in the world then a good meal with a good wine that you prepared yourself.

[Tamthewasp]

Thats an excellent review and sonething I will consider when buying my next few bottles.

Although tomorroe I am going out for a typical brittish roast and would like a recommendation for a red that would br suited for this meal.

[djarvik]

Thats an excellent review and sonething I will consider when buying my next few bottles.

Although tomorroe I am going out for a typical brittish roast and would like a recommendation for a red that would br suited for this meal.

I dont know what is "a typical brittish roast" Tell me the ingredients and I will recommend at least the grape variety.

[Tamthewasp]

Potatoes, gammon/beef, yorkshire pudding variety of veg some stuffing plus a mint suace.

[djarvik]

chateau du pape should do well if there is not much fat in the meat. If it is dripping with fat go with Shiraz from Australia, but stay away from the fruit bombs, anything over 14.5% alcohol will be too big and sweet.

[Tamthewasp]

chateau du pape should do well if there is not much fat in the meat. If it is dripping with fat go with Shiraz from Australia, but stay away from the fruit bombs, anything over 14.5% alcohol will be too big and sweet.

Think I will probably go with the chaeau du pape( the wine I have spent the most on previously). Although won't know how fatty the meat is till it on my plate.

Had my first australian bottle of wine tonight, it was a rose. It was nice but still not as nice as a white zinfandel.

Cneers Al the wine connisuer.

[edlglide]

One thing about wines is the price will vary dramatically depending on where you are getting it. A lot of the time a bottle of wine that costs you $45 at a restaurant can be purchased for $25 or so at a grocery store/wine store/etc. and might only be 10-15$ if you can get it wholesale.

For example, I had a $50 bottle of Argentinian reserve malbec at a nice restaurant and later saw the same vintage at a wine retailer for $30, and then found a place to buy it online for $16.