THE wine thread

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Tarks

Your wife sounds like a very smart woman. I am in love with Italian wine. My collection consists of many Italian bottles including my favs Brunello Di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Pricey but great wines to age for many years in the cellar!

Man I can't wait to go back to Italy. It's one of those great countries that you never get tired of.

You got that right, Jeff. The wife had me go on this tour while we stayed in Rome for 4 days before joining our Transatlantic Cruise. I thought it was going to be one of those "boring" tours and it actually was one of the highlights of going to Rome. We can't wait to go back as well as we only scratched the surface of Italy just being in Rome. Will do some research of the wines you listed. Another great port we went to was Madeira Portugal and tried the port wines,,,,wow!!

You might want to coach me on how you won so much in the casino.

[ncstogie]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

NCStogie,

On the coolers, they are rear vent. Here is what I did.

There is 6" behind them, so lot's of air there. If you look close, you will see there is about 1/8 of an inch on all sides of the front so they can draw air in. It just happened we had the nook in the kitchen that was perfect for 3 coolers. I have had them in now for 4 years without a hitch.

They don't seem to over heat and the only thing I don't like about the units is that they have a 5 to 8 degree swing in temp. Not a big deal, but if I had mega dollar wine, I wouldn't want it swinging that much. My average price per bottle in my coolers is probably $40 so not real high end. Now if I win the lotto!

Vinnie

I shoud have looked more carefully, what a perfect setup. mine also varies a bit but I havn't had any problems yet either and well I have cheapies in there anyhow. 40 is a pretty nice bottle

[Rmac58]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

Awesome! That means I do have some wine in my wine cooler. Does this mean it gets better with age?

Some wines do get better with age, Dom Perignon has spent at least five years sur lie, or on/with yeast, meaning as the dead yeast cells liquify into the wine/Champagne it adds complexity and flavor. So you can add to that a bit, age in bottle for another year from purchase.
Many wine produced today are "designed" to be consumed young, around a couple of years at most. The days of folks buying a bottle and sitting on it for years has pretty much passed. Short attention span and all that. Yet, big reds with much tannin will take years to mellow out.

[fiddlegrin]

[QUOTE=mrreindeer;2620279]Okay..................



And I've heard if you find these wines, get 'em while you can. QUOTE]


WINE Not?!!!!



"Ask me if I drink wine."

Ok-.... "Do you drink wine?"

"Wine-NO!"

[mrreindeer]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

My coolers hold 100 bottles and I keep another 100 under the stair case and another 50 to 100 in boxes with foam to keep them cool.

Having a lot (which I don't) only helps age them.

Uh... I'd say that's a lot!

Originally Posted by fiddlegrin

WINE Not?!!!!



"Ask me if I drink wine."

Ok-.... "Do you drink wine?"

"Wine-NO!"

Hahahaha....

[DoctaJ]

I was wondering if anyone here has some recommendations for a Sauvignon Blanc? I used to be more of a Pinot Grigio person but I am starting to love this type of wine

[Rmac58]

I haven't had a Sav Blanc, but it sounds like something I might enjoy. Along those lines, I'll recommend a wine using the melon, or Muscadet grape usually aged a bit on yeast, or sur-Lie.

[dj1340]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

Okay, so I'll go first.

A couple weeks ago, I took out a client & he introduced me to the world of Orin Swift wines.

Orin Swift Cellars Home

He suggested we order the 2005 Papillon. It's a Bordeaux-style blend, very full & jammy with a pretty nifty and unusual label. Also look for the butterfly ("papillon" means butterfly in French) at the bottom of the bottle in the dimple at the bottom of a wine bottle that is called the 'punt'.

The wine was absolutely delicious.



They also make "The Prisoner", also a blend, which I've since had and enjoyed but Papillon is definitely the better of the two, and more costly.



Orin Swift wines are pretty hard to find but I picked up a few bottles at Whole Foods in Redondo Beach. $50/each if you buy 6 total bottles for the '06 Papillon (the '05 we had in the restaurant is sold out) & $30 for The Prisoner. Considerably more than I normally spend on wine but definitely worth the occasional splurge.

And I've heard if you find these wines, get 'em while you can. They run in limited supplies and once they're out of any given vintage, they're out.

Absolutely love the Prisoner, I'll look for Papillon as well.

Reminds me of a wine from Australia called Innocent Bystander, can't think of the maker but will look it up. Worth a try if you can find it.

[havanajohn]

Originally Posted by Sweet_Cigars

I know it's not wine but I do have a bottle of Dom Pérignon sealed in the box. Got it has a wedding gift. I was saving it for a special occasion but now I just don't wanna open it. It's kinda like when I use to collect the football starting line up figures, NO DON'T OPEN THAT!!! It's just for looks.

Vincent, keep that baby on its side... you do not want the cork to dry out.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Originally Posted by havanajohn

Vincent, keep that baby on its side... you do not want the cork to dry out.

I have it on it's side in the wine cooler!

I want to open it so bad but the wife is not ready yet!

[havanajohn]

Does anyone here like 'Ice Wine"? My wife and I have been going to the Finger Lakes in NY state for the last 20 odd years to visit wineries, and buy wine. The wines range from Bully Hill Vineyards ( Walter S Taylors estate), to such wines as Château Frank, and Constantine Frank wines(the last two are world class). A particular favorite is 'Ice Wine' which is made from the Vidal Blanc grape(among others), and is usually around 25% residual sugar (sweet). The grapes must be harvested while frozen, and this concentrates the flavor. It runs about 40.00 for a split (350ml.), but it is worth every penny, with incredible flavors. Great with ice cream, or coffee.
P.S. here is where we always stay Blushing Rose  Bed and Breakfast Simple Elegance in a Casual Warm Atmosphere really nice!!

[Sweet_Cigars]

Originally Posted by havanajohn

Does anyone here like 'Ice Wine"? My wife and I have been going to the Finger Lakes in NY state for the last 20 odd years to visit wineries, and buy wine. The wines range from Bully Hill Vineyards ( Walter S Taylors estate), to such wines as Château Frank, and Constantine Frank wines(the last two are world class). A particular favorite is 'Ice Wine' which is made from the Vidal Blanc grape(among others), and is usually around 25% residual sugar (sweet). The grapes must be harvested while frozen, and this concentrates the flavor. It runs about 40.00 for a split (350ml.), but it is worth every penny, with incredible flavors. Great with ice cream, or coffee.
P.S. here is where we always stay Blushing Rose Bed and Breakfast Simple Elegance in a Casual Warm Atmosphere really nice!!

That sounds awesome! I really need to start getting into wine but the wife is already questioning me about all the packages that have been coming in the past few days!

All I need now is another addictive expensive hobby.

[dj1340]

Originally Posted by havanajohn

Does anyone here like 'Ice Wine"? My wife and I have been going to the Finger Lakes in NY state for the last 20 odd years to visit wineries, and buy wine. The wines range from Bully Hill Vineyards ( Walter S Taylors estate), to such wines as Château Frank, and Constantine Frank wines(the last two are world class). A particular favorite is 'Ice Wine' which is made from the Vidal Blanc grape(among others), and is usually around 25% residual sugar (sweet). The grapes must be harvested while frozen, and this concentrates the flavor. It runs about 40.00 for a split (350ml.), but it is worth every penny, with incredible flavors. Great with ice cream, or coffee.
P.S. here is where we always stay Blushing Rose Bed and Breakfast Simple Elegance in a Casual Warm Atmosphere really nice!!

Like an Ice wine every now and then, love the finger lake region. Wife and I were there a few years ago. Soooooo many wineries to visit.

[c4wu]

Like Vinnie, I collect pretty cheap wines and use a great Riedel decanter to help open their flavors. I got mine online at Custom Wine Cellars | Wine Storage | Wine Cellar Cabinets and they have free shipping too, so every once in a while I'll indulge and get one of those "O" glasses to make myself feel better for getting such cheap wines. For now, I'll blame it on the recession...

[cpk]

Always looking for a good Merlot.


Joe