Fine wines-what is your favorite??

CAJUNLAWYER

CAJUNLAWYER

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The wine industry has really taken off and there really is no reason to hold out for imported varities as the stuff produced in America is pretty much second to none. I absolutely love sampling the various Cabernet Sauvignons, the Merlots and a good crisp Chardonnay.
But sometimes we must remember our roots and where it all began....Pretty much every craft beer drinker started with an .89 cents a six pak of Ballantines Ale (In New Orleans it was Jax, Dixie or Fallstaff-Ballantines came later around college) and lots of us old wine drinkers started off with lesser vintages....
MD 20/20: an adult wine made of Kool-Aid & soap — The Bowdoin Orient
Fun stuff :D
 
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I don't drink (anymore!) but my wife and her friends are wine aficionados, so I've been recruited more than once to shuttle them around Oregon's wine country, which is about ninety minutes from here. This vineyard (Sokol Blosser) isn't one of their favorites, but I like the photos I took here:
 

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Cheap favorite red......14 hands merlot. Great for around $10
More expensive favorite.....Meoimi pinot noir for around $20. Screw cap......YES I said screw cap. So goooooodOl
 
Never did the MD 20/20, but my wine journey started with Thunderbird and Boones Farm. I still like cheap wine, as in under $10 a bottle. Summertime favorite is Sauvignon Blanc from Cupcake Vineyards. From New Zealand and bottled in CA. In cooler weather I like smooth red blends or big bold Zinfandels.
IMO the best mass market value wine is Yellow Tail, an import from Australia. All varieties are good, nothing superior but nothing bad. It is $5-7 a bottle.
 
As long as it has a twist off cap (no corks!) I figure it must be just fine.

Of course, since I've been teetotaling for many years, I may be a bit out of date as a wine judge.
 
Chateau Lafitte Rothschild. Have a souvenir bottle I got when I worked for a beverage importer. I got it because it was ruined in the heat in a container on a ship that was held up over a month due to a dock workers strike in one of the hottest summers ever, it has stuff floating in it.
 
I used to be quite heavy into good wine, but it got way too expensive for almost anything drinkable.

That being said, French wines are way overrated and have long been surpassed by regional California wineries. The Russian River area, Sonoma, Napa, and almost anything just south of San Francisco are outstanding, and used to be at a very reasonable price. (I haven't bought wine is many years, so I can't speak of current costs.) The best from these regions, in my opinion, are Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir. Reisling and Chardonnays were always a disappointment, as they were stemmy tasting and had a poor mouth feel (lack of glycerine and fruitiness). One exception was Korbel sparkling wines (Champagne), especially their Brut Rose`. Things may have changed, but I just don't know, anymore.

As for German wines, I always preferred Mosel wines, especially the Spatlese, Auslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, which are pretty much a dessert wine. Mosel wines have a brighter taste with a touch of tingle on the palate, as opposed to Rhein wines, which are softer and a touch sweeter. Unfortunately, I never could justify the price of a Mosel Eiswein, which I imagined was pure wine Heaven!!!

Of regional wines throughout the other lower 48 states, I have never been overly impressed, as they pretty much match up to common boxed wines produced in California. It all comes down to climate, heat, soil, sun and, rainfall (and the finesse of the winery). The term for this is terroir. If you have it, you have it... if you don't, you're up the creek, and it makes all the difference.
 
I enjoy wine with dinner. But really have no favorite. Was at a business dinner once, years ago. These guys were buying $100 wine. Was good, but lost on me. Above $20 or so I can't tell much difference.
 
My wine education started in 1972 with Almedina Zinfandel, then progressed to Antinori Chianti Classico '67 and '69; Some Bardolino, and Valpolicella thrown in. Some Egre Bikaver Bull's Blood of hungary, The Best of those years long ago was Chateau Leoville Barton, and Chateau Langoa Barton, with some Chateau Haut Brion when it was only 30 or 40 $ a bottle.
 
When I get out of my $10 a bottle zone, I have a favorite winemaker.
Scott Harvey produces the best Amador County Zinfandels and Barberas. He sells from his own website.
I have had the privilege of meeting him several times at local winemaker dinners. My late hubby once traded some fancy bartender/corkscrew knives for some of his wine.
 
When in the mood for wines
and not wanting to experiment
with different labels, I've
just settled on Kendall-Jackson
vintages.

Prices go from a little below $20 to
slightly above $30.
 
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