Wine Thread

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If anyone was looking to buy a Vinturi, <a href="http://wine.woot.com/">wine.woot has them for sale for $22.99</a>, now through 11:59 pm (CST? CDT?) Sunday. I have discussed their awesomeness in the past, and they usually retail for $30.
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1255824969]If anyone was looking to buy a Vinturi, <a href="http://wine.woot.com/">wine.woot has them for sale for $22.99</a>, now through 11:59 pm (CST? CDT?) Sunday. I have discussed their awesomeness in the past, and they usually retail for $30.</blockquote>


Normally, I would just double thank you. So instead I have to say thanks for everyone to see how awesome I think that deal is. SOLD!
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1255079490]A Bordeaux tonight.



Chateau Briot

2007 Bordeaux

12.5% ALC

About $6 at Trader Joes



Six bucks? Are you joking? I mean, whatdya want for six bucks?



The color is dark crimson and almost glowing. Zero sedimentation. The nose is of light plums, but slightly spicy and a little peppery too. Light viscosity and mouth feel. Finishes a little heavy, but pleasant because of the low alcohol. Again, definitely a food wine. I retested it at 55 degrees and the aromas pipe up nicely (this is the third time I?ve drank one) and I?d suggest serving it warmer (my wine storage is preset at a compromise 50 degrees). On a scale of 1-10 I give it a solid 7 ? and maybe higher if I?d tasted it warmer to begin with.



C?s get degrees, but for six bucks? You can spend a lot more and do far worse. My wine aficionado friends won?t be impressed, but it certainly will get the job done with maximum flexibility and minimal impact to your wallet.</blockquote>
I had it this week. Unbelievable every day red. I'm reminded of a famous quote ' "when in doubt Red Bordeaux".
 
We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, and this is what I'm serving this Bordeaux and the house sparkling wine from The Hobbit - I think it's like $100 a case.
 
I broke my rules a little today.



J. Vidal Fleury

2006 Rhone

14% alcohol (there?s the rules infraction)

$7 a Trader Joes



Yeah, I know, I?m splurging at seven bucks. And, I?d decant this one first and wait about 30 minutes.



No sedimentation, but it?s H-O-T straight out of the bottle (cue my self-serving speech about breaking my alcohol content rule). Oddly feisty nose, it really has a lot of earthy overtones on the palate. I?m guessing that its mostly syrah. Finish is a little biting. Was much improved after the decanting.



It?s not horrible, but I really don?t like it enough to recommend it, although it might be awesome with pepper steaks. The label is awful sexy if you care about that sort of thing. 5 out of 10.



The Chateau Briot is $4.99 if you can find any. I bought a case, which is exactly what the TJ?s in Orange had left.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1255910976]We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, and this is what I'm serving this Bordeaux and the house sparkling wine from The Hobbit - I think it's like $100 a case.</blockquote>


We used the sparking for a party once. It was awesome - and a real deal. They also sell the french sandwich, liver mousse, and artichoke dip (yummy!).



If you don't want to buy the french sandwich, I can tell you how to make it. :)
 
For anyone who is a Randall Graham fan, and y'all should be, <a href="http://wine.woot.com/">Wine Woot</a> has his book for sale for $19.95, shipping included. That's lowest price I can find.
 
From the LA Times:



<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/11/why-wine-ratings-are-flawed-wine-spectator-announces-top-100-wines-of-2009.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+latimesdailydish+(Daily+Dish+Blog)">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/11/why-wine-ratings-are-flawed-wine-spectator-announces-top-100-wines-of-2009.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+latimesdailydish+(Daily+Dish+Blog)</a>



Wine Spectator reveals top 100 Wines, but are all wine rating systems flawed?



<blockquote>A few years ago, Hodgson joined the California State Fair wine competition advisory board, which allowed him to run a controlled scientific study of its tastings.



The results, published in the Journal of Wine Economics, showed that the judges' ratings varied by ?4 points on a standard 100-point rating scale. And "only about one in 10 [judges] regularly rated the same wine within a range of ?2 points."





In September in the private wine newsletter the California Grapevine, Hodgson discussed his analysis of the complete records of several wine competitions. "The distribution of medals," he wrote, "mirrors what might be expected should a gold medal be awarded by chance alone.'" Ouch. </blockquote>




My angle? Read the reviews, do your own tastings, see which reviewers you agree with - and use thier work to your advantage. I don't care how many points Spectator or Wong gave it, if you hate it - <em>it sucks.</em>
 
Wine is my drink of choice and I've decided that I'm going to "git edjucated" on the topic. Can anybody recommend any affordable local classes that they've taken? I'll also look into the book that Eva suggested.



I recently had a wine tasting party and the '08 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was a hit. I entered it in the tasting after opening a bottle before the party began. It was my wine of choice when I wasn't participating in the tasting. I'm curious if others have tasted Anakena wines before? This wine received only 87 points from Wong and I purchased it at BevMo during the $.05 sale.



EDIT: I'm going to Napa for the first time over the holidays and I'm very excited. Any suggestions? I'd prefer the off the beaten path wineries and I've also been told that Mondavi is worth it.. Thanks in advance.
 
[quote author="Sunshine" date=1258942912]Wine is my drink of choice and I've decided that I'm going to "git edjucated" on the topic. Can anybody recommend any affordable local classes that they've taken? I'll also look into the book that Eva suggested.



I recently had a wine tasting party and the '08 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was a hit. I entered it in the tasting after opening a bottle before the party began. It was my wine of choice when I wasn't participating in the tasting. I'm curious if others have tasted Anakena wines before? This wine received only 87 points from Wong and I purchased it at BevMo during the $.05 sale.</blockquote>


Don't go too much by points - wine judges are notorious for not having much reliability in their ratings. You may want to start by reading <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703683804574533840282653628.html">Why Wine Ratings are Badly Flawed (WSJ)</a>.
 
[quote author="Sunshine" date=1258942912]EDIT: I'm going to Napa for the first time over the holidays and I'm very excited. Any suggestions? I'd prefer the off the beaten path wineries and I've also been told that Mondavi is worth it.. Thanks in advance.</blockquote>


Reverie and Stony Hill. I also recommend Ad Hoc for dinner (come hungry).
 
[quote author="Sunshine" date=1258942912]Wine is my drink of choice and I've decided that I'm going to "git edjucated" on the topic. Can anybody recommend any affordable local classes that they've taken? I'll also look into the book that Eva suggested.



I recently had a wine tasting party and the '08 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was a hit. I entered it in the tasting after opening a bottle before the party began. It was my wine of choice when I wasn't participating in the tasting. I'm curious if others have tasted Anakena wines before? This wine received only 87 points from Wong and I purchased it at BevMo during the $.05 sale.



EDIT: I'm going to Napa for the first time over the holidays and I'm very excited. Any suggestions? I'd prefer the off the beaten path wineries and I've also been told that Mondavi is worth it.. Thanks in advance.</blockquote>


Reynolds Family, William Harrison, Frank Family, maybe Del Dotto (not the new, gaudy place, but their older property)...other than that get out of Napa and go to Sonoma. And Mondavi has nice scenery but I was disappointed with the wines.
 
[quote author="caycifish" date=1258957462][quote author="Sunshine" date=1258942912]Wine is my drink of choice and I've decided that I'm going to "git edjucated" on the topic. Can anybody recommend any affordable local classes that they've taken? I'll also look into the book that Eva suggested.



I recently had a wine tasting party and the '08 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was a hit. I entered it in the tasting after opening a bottle before the party began. It was my wine of choice when I wasn't participating in the tasting. I'm curious if others have tasted Anakena wines before? This wine received only 87 points from Wong and I purchased it at BevMo during the $.05 sale.



EDIT: I'm going to Napa for the first time over the holidays and I'm very excited. Any suggestions? I'd prefer the off the beaten path wineries and I've also been told that Mondavi is worth it.. Thanks in advance.</blockquote>


Reynolds Family, William Harrison, Frank Family, maybe Del Dotto (not the new, gaudy place, but their older property)...other than that get out of Napa and go to Sonoma. And Mondavi has nice scenery but I was disappointed with the wines.</blockquote>


I had a great time at Del Dotto (Napa location) - it must have been the funnest tasting and by far the least pretentious one (which was refreshing).
 
The main drag in Napa can get a bit crowded. Try the Sonoma side if you get a chance and

your spending a couple of days.



If your going to hit Mondavi. Then hit Coppola too. Great tour with his Oscars on display.

The wine is not bad either. And your right there.



My favorite is Domaine Carneros. Tattinger.

Been a memebr for over 10 years now. Nothing like La Reve Champagne and their Pinot. Great place for events.

<a href="http://www.domainecarneros.com//index.cfm">http://www.domainecarneros.com//index.cfm</a>



If its your first trip hit the CIA and Beringer too. They are next door to each other.



Here is the trip advisor for CIA.

<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32766-d518740-Reviews-Wine_Spectator_Greystone_Restaurant-Napa_Napa_Valley_California.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32766-d518740-Reviews-Wine_Spectator_Greystone_Restaurant-Napa_Napa_Valley_California.html</a>



Here are some great pictures. This place has some real history with California.



<img src="http://z.about.com/d/gocalifornia/1/0/0/I/3/20090715_0021-a.jpg" alt="" />



Beringer is next door.

<img src="http://i.pbase.com/g6/16/683516/2/77206704.MEIRdey4.jpg" alt="" />
 
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