What kinds of wines do you enjoy? [Archive]

thrak76

10-28-2009, 9:56 AM

Hi people!

I'm a fairly new wine drinker. Me and my wife have picked up the addiction for trying new wines. We also just received a wine refrigerator as a gift. We're looking to stock it with lots of different varieties, so that we can develop our palate. I have no idea what i like yet... but i know that i do like Red wine more than White wine.

My question to you is: Do you have a favorite style, or variety, or grape, or perhaps a favorite winery? Do you have a "go to" wine that you get over and over?

Now, keep in mind, i don't really want to be paying more than $12-ish per bottle, yet. But if there's a wine that has really knocked your socks off, and is a bit more pricey, i'd consider it.

Thank you from a wine newbie! :thumbsup:

Scott

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 10:05 AM

I don't do a whole lot of domestic wines, mostly imports. This comes from living in Europe for 12 years and getting spoiled. There may be equivalents here in the states for the imports I have listed and maybe someone else will chime in, for reds I like dry and bitter: Ecco Domani Merlot, Banfi Chianti, & Demestica Red. I like some white as well, but again imports: Franz Re & Son Spetlese (if buying in the states look for labels that say Qualtisat mit predicat), any Mosel or Rhinehessen region spetlese or auslese (auslese is sweeter than spetlese but both are on the sweeter side), for a dry white, I like Demestica White.

coach_z

10-28-2009, 10:12 AM

Firstly, do you like white or red? i really really do not like white wines....i will drink them if offered to me but i truly do not enjoy them.

For reds, start out with Merlots...and then try a chianti and a sheraz and a pino noir...then realize how much merlots suck....i find them to be flat and lack a robust flavor smell and texture.

My favorite wine (also my dads favorite wine, and grandpas favorite wine) is the Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Gold....(aka Ruffino Gold Label) it is kind of mass distributed BUT very very good. unfortunately you might spend 30/bottle. the 'non-gold label' might run you 11-16 but is a very nice wine as well.

besides those i generally buy cheaper chianti and sheraz and pino noir generally based upon price....nothing has been amazing and nothing is terrible, generally all good wines. If i am looking for a crowd pleaser (my parents, grandparents, girlfriends parents) i'll generally pick up a bottle of robert mondavi pino noir, blackstone pino noir, or any other 'name brand' wine.

If i am entertaining friends ill go pot luck (walk into store, grab soem stuff, pay for it and then finally look at the bottle when i get home) based on price and hope for a good review or two....

gotglock

10-28-2009, 10:24 AM

Whatevers cheapest. I enjoy Redtail and Arbor Mist LOL

Sploke

10-28-2009, 10:27 AM

If you like robust red wine, try a Zinfandel. The Ravenswood selections are very good.

thrak76

10-28-2009, 10:29 AM

I'm in a fairly robust wine-producing region (Southwest Michigan). My house is practically surrounded by vineyards, and there are fields of them all over the area. We've been mostly trying the local fare first, and have found some nice ones, but i definitely want to branch out. Some of the local wineries in the area are: Round Barn, Tabor Hill, Lemon Creek, Domaine Berrien, plus many others....

Snoopy65: You mentioned some German wines? I've tried Gerwurstraminer, and enjoyed it a lot. Any of those you mentioned similar? I've tried a Ecco Domani Pinot Noir and liked it. Probably will try more of that brand.

Coach_Z: I'm definitely a red wine guy, and my wife's a white, sweet wine girl. I'm venturing into the pinot noir and shiraz varieties now. I've yet to try a Chianti, but i'll be on the lookout for your recommendation, albeit the "cheaper" offering.

Keep it coming guys!

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 10:35 AM

Yes, they are similar. Your wife will be pretty safe with any of the whites from the regions of Mosel and Rheinhessin. Those areas are known for high quality, not necessarily expensive whites.

Sploke, I like the regular Zinfendels as well.....much better than white Zins!

thrak76

10-28-2009, 10:40 AM

Sploke, I like the regular Zinfendels as well.....much better than white Zins!

The regular Zins are red then? Are they a California wine? I've not liked any white zins yet.

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 10:41 AM

Yep, you can get California Zinfendels and yes they are red.

PuppyFluffer

10-28-2009, 10:48 AM

My wine tastes definitely differ from yours. I'm more in line with your wife. I like sweeter whites or white zinfandel. Fetzer makes a nice organic white zin that I've not been able to find for a while.

There is a wine from Sakonnet Vineyard in Rhode Island called Eye of the Storm that I just LOVE. I can't get it where I live but I drank it when I lived in RI.

I'm a pretty new wine drinker myself so I'm learning new things from this discussion.

coach_z

10-28-2009, 10:52 AM

For your wife: pick up a McManis Viognier

White Zinfandel (pink wine) only comes from northern California.

Oh, also go find a local winery...there has got to be one, take a tour and do a tasting...

Somervell

10-28-2009, 11:10 AM

Fetzer makes a really nice Gerwurstraminer if you haven't tried it. Very reasonably priced with a nice apricot flavor.

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 11:13 AM

For your wife: pick up a McManis Viognier

White Zinfandel (pink wine) only comes from northern California.

Regular Red Zinfandel as well

Oh, also go find a local winery...there has got to be one, take a tour and do a tasting...

Excellent advise, even here in rural NW PA we have a local winery and many of their wines are very comparable to much more expensive wines. You also can taste the different wines and decide before you buy which ones you like best.

beeZer350

10-28-2009, 11:15 AM

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent wine for the price. Should be able to get it for ~$10.

Bottles of it don't last very long when I'm around :Angel:

coach_z

10-28-2009, 11:41 AM

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent wine for the price. Should be able to get it for ~$10.

Bottles of it don't last very long when I'm around :Angel:
had that before, it is ok though i dont like cabs.

how long do you last when there are bottles of it around ;)

Wycco

10-28-2009, 11:48 AM

I'm far from a wine snob- but I do know what I like... I too buy on a budget- so it's not the expensive wines that I go for (can't afford them).

Chianti is my current favourite- Ruffino is the brand I buy too... glad someone mentioned it in a thread- I was trying to think of the name- I can picture the label and remember the "Ruff" part. There are several other good cheap Chiantis- but Ruffino is the best I've tried.

I also like Pinot Noir. Never seen why Merlot and Shiraz (the two taste very similar to me) are so popular- I drink 'em both and like 'em- I find them less forgiving though- unlike Chianti, where, even cheap Chianti is normally good- a cheap Merlot often tastes cheap. I hate a vinegary tasting red wine.

Another great wine- Beaujolais. Louis Jadot is the brand I normally get because it is usually inexpensive yet very good.

White wines I like- but I'm much more a red person- I liked white when I was younger- but I've move away from it with the years. I'm much more picky about white wines... don't like Pinot Grigio. I'll drink Chardonney but really am not a big fan.

As far as inexpensive German wines go- Liebsfraumilch is fairly good (believe it's a riesling), Gewurztraminer is the best German white IMO. Rieslings can be good or bad. Some are way too sweet.

Funny, Riesling once upon a time used to be my favourite wine but gradually over time I like it less and less- now only a good riesling works... Schmidt Sonne (sp?) I used to like but now find disgusting... I think my tastes are just maturing somewhat.

For sparkling wines- I prefer an Italian Asti to Champagne.

Oh... and I really don't like white zin. ;)

captaincaveman9

10-28-2009, 12:30 PM

http://www.peju.com/
http://www.oliverwinery.com/

on one of my business trips i had the chance to do tastings at most of the winery's in the Nappa Valley and in the Salinas Valley (work can be rough) My favorites in California were from Peju winery. They have some nice Cabernet, Merlot, and their "experimental" wines like their carnival are nice too. Their "desert" wine (a Port of course) is fairly new to them and is really good, but does not age well.
Oliver Winery is in Indiana and they make a good Merlot and a very nice blush. Their sweet wines are good to have around for a party as (according to them) women seem to prefer.

From what I hear there are some very good Michigan wines, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Australian wines. If you get a chance find a local winery an go to a few tastings, well worth the trip and you get to experiment with new wines :)

A wine fridge is nice, however some wines should not be chilled to far and are actually better tasting at room temperature.

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 12:41 PM

A wine fridge is nice, however some wines should not be chilled to far and are actually better tasting at room temperature.

Most reds are better at room temp. Open the bottle a good 15 - 30 minutes before you are ready to drink and let it breathe. There are different glasses for reds and whites as well. That is, if you are going to "get" into wine - you might as well do it right.

SubRosa

10-28-2009, 12:41 PM

You can get a red wine or a white wine from any dark skinned grape, depending on how long you leave the skins in contact with the must(juice). The only whites I have a taste for are Ice Wines, available from northern vineyards such as in Canada or the Finger Lakes region. As far as reds the bigger and bolder the better. Shiraz, Barolo and Pinot Noir Varietals. My absolute fave would be a Chateuneuf du Pape. Don't always be swayed by price, or by region of production. One of the best bottles of red I ever had was a present from my brother in law. he was stationed in northern Italy in the army in the mid 80s and he and his buddies used to go to Yugoslavia on r&r. He gave me a bottle that was crown capped like a beer bottle and told me that at the exchange rate when he bought it the price was about .60 American! I thought it was a joke until I opened it. I remember saying that if I paid $25 for it I would have been happy, and at the time a bottle of Dom Perignon could be had for about $40.

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 12:43 PM

That is part of what I was talking about in being spoiled. I was a cheap wino when I lived in Germany.....my expensive wine was about $2 american. That same bottle here in the states ran about $30.

coach_z

10-28-2009, 12:58 PM

SubRosa - i believe that ice wines can be from any vineyard located within a frost zone (and it must actually frost in order to get an ice wine)...i also know next to nothing about ice wines

snoopy65

10-28-2009, 1:00 PM

You are right coach. There are some from Germany as well. To the OP, I think ice wine is the most absolutely SWEETEST wine you can buy- almost syrup!

lookit

10-28-2009, 1:19 PM

I'm with the boys on Ruffino Chianti -- a great wine. The more expensive the better, BUT the regular is relatively inexpensive and very, very good. It has a rich body, but no hard (sharp/acrid) bite. Delightfully drinkable.

Also, CaptainCaveMan is on the mark about Peju wines. Both my niece and her husband work for competing foreign vintners (which means they can have the very best of each winery's output for free); however, their favorite everyday (and casual entertaining) wines are from Peju. I had a Peju white (can't remember what) a couple of months ago when I was visiting, and it was very, very nice. And this from a girl who definitely prefers reds to whites!

SubRosa

10-28-2009, 1:39 PM

Here in PA Ice Wines aren't able to be made every year, but when conditions are right Mt Hope makes a great one. The further north you go the more often that conditions are right. Basically the grapes need to sustain a good freeze before harvest. I'm more into beer and mead but I've been known to crank out a batch of wine on occasion!

LeahK

10-28-2009, 2:55 PM

I used to love reds and avoid whites, until reds started giving me killer headaches a few years ago. As a result, I've been trying out some whites. The ones I've liked have been:

vinho verde from Portugal - I think the brand I had was Famega. It was crisp and clean without that weak tang that some whites have (and which I don't like). It was also just slightly fizzy. Nice on a hot day.

retsina from Greece - I've tried Boutari and Malamatina. I'm told that this is an acquired taste, and that some people hate it, but I absolutely love it. It has a distinct taste. It tastes like pine trees smell, if that makes sense.

Because white wines generally don't taste bold enough for me, I've also been exploring aromatized and/or fortified whites--otherwise known as vermouths, which some people think are gross. But a nice white one, like Vya or Dubonnet, on the rocks with a splash of soda and garnished with an orange--can't beat it :)

coach_z

10-28-2009, 3:08 PM

vermouth? as in the main ingredient in a martini?

bigwave

10-28-2009, 3:52 PM

I always like to have a bottle of this around: http://www.columbiawinery.com/2008-cellarmasters-riesling-columbia-valley

It is a sweeter wine, probably more one your wife would prefer, but is great as a dessert wine. I think this riesling stands out as far better than others I have had.

Also if you are in Washington state there is a Columbia winery Murder mystery dinner train / winery tour that I would recommend. It was a lot of fun.

And it is in the 10-12 dollar price range!!!

Wycco

10-28-2009, 4:06 PM

Oh... and not sure if it counts as a wine since it has been fortified with Brandy- but...

Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry.

I loooove sherry. Always have to drink some sherry when I have a sore throat- not sure why, but I've noticed my sore throats always go away the day after I've had a few drinks of sherry. (no not from getting drunk).

I almost look forwards to having sore throats now as an excuse to drink some sherry.

SubRosa

10-28-2009, 6:27 PM

Bubbles2112

10-28-2009, 6:43 PM

I am not a great wine drinker but I like the Italian table wines (no specific brand--just the regular old table wines they put out on the table) and for whites I like the sweets like icewine and riesling spatlese. Lots of time I mix wine with citrus soda.

thrak76

10-28-2009, 7:28 PM

Great posts everyone! I like reading folks' different opinions. There are definitely some wines i'm going to look up.
I know that there are some wineries around me producing Ice wines. The wine seems to be harder to find though. I may have to go to the winery's retail shops to locate some. Sounds like I, as well as my wife, would enjoy an Ice wine.

All of this talk about cheap(er) wine overseas... Just another reason i need to have an extended vacation in Europe!

coach_z

10-30-2009, 8:23 AM

LiveMermaid07

10-30-2009, 9:53 AM

Arbor Mist : Blackberry Merlot

I usually prefer reds.

Sploke

10-30-2009, 9:56 AM

I am not a huge fan of overly sweet things...candy, cake, fruity drinks...but I really enjoy a glass of port once in a while.

snoopy65

10-30-2009, 9:57 AM

in europe....wine is the equivalent of water. lol ;)

to the 'sweet wine' drinkers out there...is it an acquired taste? do you like sweeter things in general? i can generally find the good part of anything be it food or someones personality....but sweet wine i cannot stand but would like to understand them.

As far as sweeter wines for me, I don't like most of them, but the few I do are a higher priced wine, at least here in the states. The German middle-sweet wines do I enjoy though. With most sweet wines, I think it is something you either like or you don't. I don't think you can acquire a taste.

Bubbles2112

10-30-2009, 11:35 AM

I do like the sweet wines and cannot stand the dry wines--I don't even use the drys for cooking. I like chocolate but nothing overly sugary if this helps coach. IMO the Ice Wines are the BEST followed by Italian desert wines like Moscato. But both are $$$$ so I don't get them very often.

coach_z

11-02-2009, 10:18 AM

picked up an inexpensive bottle of 'little penguin' sheraz this weekend. i thought it was an okay, inexpensive, non-offensive, all around generic and relatively 'plain Jane' bottle of wine. i wouldn't run out to buy it again but i wouldn't not buy it.

my GF didn't like it. Unfortunately she only gives two reviews of wine:
"i like it"
why?
"it was good - i dont know anything about wine"
or
"i dont like it"
why?
"because i didnt like it - i dont know anything about wine"

we are working on her wine reviewing skills....she has amazing coffee reviewing skills and they are all the same thing.....

thrak76

11-02-2009, 10:37 AM

I drank a bottle of "PKNT" pinot noir last night with dinner. It's an argentinian wine.
Did not like it. It was fruity and dry, but i can't quite place what i don't like about it. I'm still working on descriptors for the wines i'm trying.
The local grocery store has a 15% off 6 bottle sale going on right now, so i picked up a rounded selection: Spetlase, Chianti, Cauvignon Blanc, Malbec, and 2 bottles of Witches Brew (this stuff is amazing heated up!).

pinkertd

11-02-2009, 10:55 AM

I don't like real dry wines at all. I do like pinot noir, pinot grigio, shiraz and zinfindels.

Wycco

11-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Regarding the question several posts higher about is "sweet wine" an acquired taste- I was the complete opposite- when I first started drinking wines I liked the sweet wines but I found the more wine I drank the less I liked sweet wines and the more I liked dry wines.

As I've got older I like sweet wines less and less. I think it might be in part because you can get nice dry wines inexpensively- but the quality sweet wines are more expensive- and I never spend more than $10 on a bottle.

BreezeRuehls

11-02-2009, 12:33 PM

The kind that comes in a box

bigwave

11-03-2009, 12:56 AM

The kind that comes in a box

That is the EXACT same kind of wine my wife likes. Whenever we go into the liquor store, that is what she points out.

That said I am always shocked when I travel out of state and find wine/beer in the grocery store. I live in Alaska, and there is a statewide drinking problem, so the alcoholic beverages are ALWAYS in their own store. I would probably drink more wine if I could just pick some up when I went in for cereal!

The Zigman

11-03-2009, 2:12 AM

I like the Amber wines that the Miller brewing company makes.
I forget the name but its initials are MGD..

coach_z

11-03-2009, 9:07 AM

That is the EXACT same kind of wine my wife likes. Whenever we go into the liquor store, that is what she points out.

That said I am always shocked when I travel out of state and find wine/beer in the grocery store. I live in Alaska, and there is a statewide drinking problem, so the alcoholic beverages are ALWAYS in their own store. I would probably drink more wine if I could just pick some up when I went in for cereal!
wine/beer in the grocery store depends on individual state laws that govern the distribution of booze in that state. NH for instance (i think) you can only buy it in state run stores, New York you can buy beer/wine at the food store/convenience store and hard liquor at the liquor store. NJ you have to go to a liquor store to buy anything that is alcoholic.

there are several reasons that i dont drink box wine....and they all stem from the people who i know who tap the box 24/7

Wycco

11-03-2009, 9:34 AM

snoopy65

11-03-2009, 9:36 AM

Call me picky....if it doesn't have a "cork" I am not drinking it.

coach_z

11-03-2009, 9:51 AM

Call me picky....if it doesn't have a "cork" I am not drinking it.
well the final advancement in wine technology has been the screw top....the 'cork' is going by the wayside and will soon probably be available on high end wines $25+/bottle.

SubRosa

11-04-2009, 7:22 AM

Call me picky....if it doesn't have a "cork" I am not drinking it.Bonny Doon Vineyards will change your mind if you let it!

snoopy65

11-04-2009, 7:38 AM

Well because of PA laws, I will never know. The vineyard is not allowed to ship to pa.

Wycco

11-04-2009, 7:54 AM

I'm amused by the wines that look like they have a cork- until you remove the wax, paper, and whatnot and discover a screw top underneath.

I've actually had wine many times that either had screw tops- or "rubber corks" that were perfectly fine.

snoopy65

11-04-2009, 8:00 AM

I guess it stems back to days gone long ago and visions of Boone's Farm and Mad Dog 20/20 (before I knew better!). I just can't bring myself to drink wine without a cork.

BigNorsk

11-04-2009, 8:20 AM

I don't have a problem with the concept of wine being sold in a box- cuts costs and may actually be a superior method of storing wine from all I've read.

However, that said, I have not yet had a good experience with a boxed wine- but I've only ever tried Franzia which isn't the highest quality wine to begin with- nothing to do with the packaging.

That would probably be because you aren't really drinking wine with boxed wines like Franzia, it's got some wine in it but they are allowed to do all sorts of things to it and add stuff. Artificial flavors and such.

For boxed wines try the true wines. The Black Box line is a good place to start. http://www.blackboxwines.com/wp-content/themes/k2/styles/blackbox/verify.php?set=yes&page_from=http://www.blackboxwines.com/

Lupin

11-04-2009, 9:33 AM

Nom nom nom...I love wine. Tried the white wine in peach flavor and Carlo Rossi red wine. Brandy is tasty too although I get drunk easily after one bottle.:thud:

Wycco

11-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Ooooh... and Japanese Plum wines... :)

theicequeen

11-04-2009, 1:44 PM

robert mondovi (SP?) white or merlot

NorthcoastGirl

11-04-2009, 2:30 PM

I love a good cab sauv- Berringer's Reserve is always a good choice. Not too fond of the beaujolais that comes around every November, though.

There are a ton of wineries a bit up north where I am (NE Ohio), and I can't say the wines are too much to my personal taste, even through a few have won awards. The local Catawba and Niagara grapes just impart a bit of bitterness to me.

Snoopy- I also couldn't help noticing your location, lol. I know exactly where that is, we've taken the kids up there a few time. =)

~ncg

SubRosa

11-05-2009, 5:30 AM

Well because of PA laws, I will never know. The vineyard is not allowed to ship to pa.I live in PA as well. Strictly speaking it is illegal for anyone to bring alcohol into the state of PA except the state of PA. Stupid laws like that are made to be broken. If you ever get to NJ it's available at any decent liquor store.

snoopy65

11-05-2009, 5:52 AM

Snoopy- I also couldn't help noticing your location, lol. I know exactly where that is, we've taken the kids up there a few time. =)

~ncg

Shoot me a pm the next time you are planning on coming here. It is always nice to meet other fish people!

NorthcoastGirl

11-05-2009, 7:31 AM

Will do, Snoopy. =) Same here, if you're ever in the Youngstown/Warren area =)

bazil323

11-05-2009, 10:22 AM

I don't know where you're from or if you can even get this winery's products where you are (might be able to order online, depending on your state's laws). The Von Stiehl winery in Algoma, WI makes pretty good products. My favorites are Naughty Girl and Framboise (pronounced fram-wah). The Naughty Girl is a nice red that isn't too dry but isn't too sweet. It has a little raspberry overtone to it (even I notice, and I'm no connoisseur). The Framboise is a mix of raspberry wine and grape wine and fortified with brandy. Packs a punch and tastes like a burst of raspberries. Yeah, I love raspberries; how could you tell? ;)

They also make a nice Gewurtztraminer (spelling?) and Riesling. The Crimson Royale tastes almost like grape juice and is a red. The Niagara is very similar with the grape juice taste but is a white. They make many others, but those pop into my head.

Other than that, I like to just buy whatever catches my fancy and try it out. I've found I'm pretty partial to pinot grigio.