Favorite Wine

[Tina71]

Hi! We have been trying different wines. And we haven't found one that we really like. Was just wondering what your favorites are. :D

[pamelaw]

It's been a long time for me and tasting wine, but I fell in love with Fetzer's Gerwurtztraminer years ago as it was not sickly sweet.

It's been a long time, though, so sorry I cannot be more helpful. I miss going to winery's and seeing the whole process and tasting and I once was in a blind taste test and I got all 6 out of 6 right, so I do have a palate for it, but no practice.

[Tina71]

I think going to a winery is a great idea!!! Thanks!

[pamelaw]

They are so much fun and the people there have a passion for it, which is a wonderful way to learn about all of it. The tours are a blast and some are organized so you have a driver (who, of course, abstains) and you can just relax.

I'm a VERY cheap date so just a couple of tastes and I won't even consider driving. (Most women have some candida issues and it makes us tipsy fast). So it's a thought!

I want to go to the Tacoma WA area and tour the wineries there and those in Mendocino County CA are really nice, too. I hear Fetzer in Hopland shut down, so that's too bad.

[MargieK]

I drink red wine on an almost daily basis, but alas, I do not have a strong preference for a particular brand. I usually buy the Corbett Canyon "boxed" wines (shiraz, merlot, cab, pino noir... they're all sufficiently good to me!).

[OzFriend]

I'm a red wine drinker and Shiraz Viognier is my all time favourite. I do also like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot but it's hard to go past a good Shiraz.

[TaraC]

My favourite is a greek red, not sure if you can get it!

Boutari is the vineyard. Smooth and tasty! :D

[pamelaw]

I've had some good boxed wine and even have seen some self-proclaimed (their words) wine snobs drink it, not knowing it was from a box, and commenting on how GOOD it was to each other. So I know they can be very good.

I just don't like the headache I can get and DH cannot drink it or grape juice without getting a rash, so since I don't drink much at all, I hesitate to buy it at all and being a T3 who hates to waste money, I don't like paying so much for a small bottle. (I know, I know.....:D)

I like a good Merlot, don't care for any sauvignon as it dries out my sensitive tongue and makes me feel like I fell face first into mown grass. I do like a good chardonnay and burgundy, and I've had some nice reislings, too, a long time ago.

That's it; time to go on winery tours either in Tacoma or Walla-Walla or Pasco.

[pamelaw]

Oh, and if I take activated charcoal for any headache and figure out through Muscle testing what's bugging each of us, we should avoid the problem.

[Tina71]

Thanks for your help! I am going to try a few that you mentioned. I have tried many and haven't been crazy about any. Thanks!

[hjajck]

I am not a fan of red wine, although I wish I were. I like White Zinfandel. ;)

[pamelaw]

Yeah, what Holly said. I knew there was another wine I've liked, and that's what it's called; White Zinfandel. I like the one that Weibel put out a few years ago but there are some good wineries with good white zins.

Sorry to be so slow ---- fibromyalgia moments make for a feeling like I'm doing charades with a monkey in my head, only he won't answer me and keeps throwing banana peels at me.

[Lori French]

We started with reds, then discovered they didn't agree with either of us, then moved to White Zins. They are fruitier, not quite right for us then moved on to Pinot Grigios. They aren't as sweet as a Chardonnay (too sweet for me) and not as dry as a red. We will still do a red on occasion, I never turn down a nice wine, no matter the color, LOL! Lots of nice Pinot Grigios from Italy, Oregon, and even California. Often the Italians are a better price. Some of them are referred to as Pinot Gris.
Try a Cavit, Ecco Domani, Kris, Santa Margherita (pricier, but nice), Woodbridge (fruitier, but good, may be a nice into for a non wine drinker), Ruffino Lumina... I could go on and on, but I won't. Take a picture of the label, keep notes and cook with it, if it's not up your ally. Have fun and before you know it, you'll find a type you like, then you can experiment with different brands for different occasions!

[WendyD]

I tend to like reds and nothing very sweet. We get an inexpensive shiraz by Yellow Tail that we like.

[Casadolce]

I love reds, especially Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and really heavy Cabernet. That said, this time of year I like Vinho Verde, which is a younger, "green" wine grown in Portugal. (Vinho Verde translates to "Wine Green.") It is slightly effervescent and lower in alcohol, without being sweet. (I don't care for sweet wines.) Another refreshing white, though a bit pricier is Prosecco, an Italian sparkler. Australian and Chilean wines are surprisingly good and economical.

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, we've found it to be the best place for good wines at affordable prices. TJ's frequently have wine tastings so you can get an idea about what you might like before purchasing. They have a lovely white, organic table wine (3.99) called Green Fin, grown in California. It's fruity and citrusy, a bit sweeter than I usually like--similar to a Gewurzt, but a pleasant summer wine. Nice with pepper jack.

Cheers!

[MiPaloma]

Hi! We have been trying different wines. And we haven't found one that we really like. Was just wondering what your favorites are. :D

I have Never, Ever. had a bad Riesling. Ever.

Beyond that, I'm partial to Pinot Noir and Merlot. Brands tend to come and go in favoritism here, as we are adventurous in trying different wines/brands. :)

[Tina71]

Thanks so much!!! I Can't wait to try some of these. I don't like a dry wine. Guess I must like a more "fruity" one. Will give some of the ones you mentioned a try this weekend (bday weekend) :balloon:

[MiPaloma]

Thanks so much!!! I Can't wait to try some of these. I don't like a dry wine. Guess I must like a more "fruity" one. Will give some of the ones you mentioned a try this weekend (bday weekend) :balloon:

I suspect you'll not be unhappy with the Riesling, then. It is not overly sweet, like a port, but it is generally not dry either. A light, fruity taste. :)

[pamelaw]

Just tried Vella Burgundy and we all like it; yum.

[DasereT]

Ever try Ice Wine; or Eiswein? I believe it originated in Canada. That's where we tried it first. We were told that the grape is left on the vine longer and into the colder months. That causes the sugar content to be concentrated. The flavor reminds me of golden raisins with a hint of honey. It's not sickly sweet, though; delicious! If I can find it in the Midwest, you should be able to find it anywhere. I also like a Moscato that Sutter Home makes. It's similar to the Ice Wine. I'm with Pamela on the Gerwurtztraminer. Very good! If you like a drier white wine, Kendall Jackson's Chardonnay is my hubby's favorite; I like Pinot Gris, not quite as dry as Chardonnay. For red, I'm partial to Cabernet Sauvignon, though I can do Merlot if I'm eating a good steak. It's kinda hard for me to drink Merlot by itself, though. Just my two cents!

[goddess in training]

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay is my favorite. Yellow Tail offers a good selection of inexpensive wines, both red and white that aren't too bad. I also enjoy dry reds, but this time of year I prefer Chardonnay. The best wine by far I have ever had was a bottle of Opus (it was some kind of red - I forget exactly), but it was a gift and is unfortunately too expensive for routine wine drinking.

[goddess in training]

Also - Talbot is a boutique winery in California that has wonderful wines, but unfortunately, they cannot ship to Indiana. Not available in stores.

[goddess in training]

One more - the ice wine I have been lucky to sample has been wonderful - makes a very good desert wine. It is typically a bit pricey though, so we have only had it on special occasions.

[brngckn]

Any Zinfandel from Passalacqua vineyard in Healdsburg, CA.

[ram0029]

We love Merlot! Our favorites include Parcel 41, Greg Norman, J Lohr los pas robles and a affordable one is called OPEN. Our favorite Zinfandels are PEJU from the Napa Valley and Ravenswood Vinters blend. The Malbecs are also yummy and we recently tried Punto Finale, Reserve Malbec and it was great.

Saturday night is my night for a glass or 2 of wine.

[pamelaw]

We just tried Barefoot Merlot, which was their award winning batch, and wow was it delicious.

I don't like Cabernets very much (too grassy for me) but I do love a good Merlot.

[katiedinger]

Gruner Veltiner! Comes from lots of different wineries, usually not too expensive, great combo of crisp and kind of sweet (though not as sweet as some Rieslings). Refreshing. :-)

[ram0029]

Yes, the Barefoot Merlot is very yummy!

[Granny2]

The Velvet Devil's a really good wine, especially with beef! Other than that it's Franzia Merlot!

[pamelaw]

Okay, I'm officially a BIG fan of Yellow Tail's Shiraz. Wow, is that good wine! It was a 2009 vintage on the bottle and YUM.

[WendyD]

Pamela - I'm so with you there!:)

[ram0029]

We tried a new "to us" Zinfindel when we were out for lunch on the weekend and loved it. Now to find it in the wine store. It was a 2007 Windmill Zinfindel from California.

Very yummy!

[fitknees]

Bridlewood Estate Syrah = wonderful.

[pamelaw]

I just heard back from Yellow Tail (Casella Wines) when I mentioned I cannot recork their wines and they are SOOOOO good. They're mailing me a wine cover and are experimenting with screw on and off lids to see if the quality can be maintained.

They recommend recorking immediately after opening and pouring to get it in, but it's that snug fit that keeps it so good. And GOOOOOOD it is!

I love their Shiraz so much but need to try their Merlot and others, too.

What an awesome company. Reminds me of Ms. T..............:D

[serialspinner]

My favorite white comes from Trader Joes - Contadino Pinot Grigio. It's light, fruity and a little bubbly.

[pamelaw]

Sarah, I wish we had one close by, but we don't. *sigh* We do have a fairly good co-op though, so I'll look for it there as they might have it.

I hate to admit it, but this thread has got me back to being a regular winer. :D

[CozyTeapot]

My husband and I only buy the cheap Walmart brand wine - Oak Leaf. We regularly buy Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, and Sweet Red.

Concerning the cork, I don't know how the cork in Yellow Tail is, but the Oak Leaf corks are synthetic and we found that they are easier to re-inset if we put them in upside down.

[pamelaw]

My husband and I only buy the cheap Walmart brand wine - Oak Leaf. We regularly buy Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, and Sweet Red.

Concerning the cork, I don't know how the cork in Yellow Tail is, but the Oak Leaf corks are synthetic and we found that they are easier to re-inset if we put them in upside down.

These are synthetic, too, so especially rigid. Even immediately and upside down, it's a no go. My DH is very strong and he couldn't do it either. I'm looking forward to getting those bottle stoppers.

[Lori French]

We use the rubber edged, expandable, bottle stoppers. Cost just a couple of dollars a piece. They keep the wine fresh as long at it lasts! We do love the synthetic corks. That wine opens faster and we never get a corked (bad) bottle. Screw tops are turning up in all price ranges, the low end all the way to the really high end... I don't mind them, either. Fast is good, LOL!
Anybody, else, see this today?
http://bites.today.com/_news/2011/08/17/7396151-20-under-12-affordable-delicious-white-and-pink-wines

[CozyTeapot]

These are synthetic, too, so especially rigid. Even immediately and upside down, it's a no go. My DH is very strong and he couldn't do it either. I'm looking forward to getting those bottle stoppers.
The Oak Leaf "corks" are very flexible. I like them better than regular corks. The center seems to be a spongy material and the outer part is kinda rubbery.

[serialspinner]

Another really good Red (inexpensive, too) is Robella's Petite Syrah. Deep and rich :licklips: another from Trader Joes.