| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 4/20/2007 2:30:02 PM | Ok Maria, here are what my contacts came up with. If you can't find exactly what they suggested, see if where you shop can offer something similar. Again, you need to go to a place which deals in different wines on a regular basis. If you're near the border with PA, stop in a state store (Wine & Spirits shop).
This is just cut-and-paste from what they sent me. The selections are from about 6 different countries.
Whites
YALUMBA VIOGNIER"Y" 05 $10.99 750ML
CAYMUS CONUNDRUM 05 $23.99 750ML
SEPP MOSER GRUNER VELTLINER 'GEBLING' 04 $14.99 750ML
Germans: Anything from JJ Prum in 2005, anything from JJ Christoffel in 2005 with Riesling being the classic grape choice.
Personally, I enjoy anything from Schwarze Katz. Here are my two suggestions:
KREUSCH ZELLER SCHWARZE KATZ IMP. MOSEL VI 750ml
VALCKENBERG ZELLER SCHWARZE KATZ IMP. MOSEL VI 750ml
You'll recognize the bottles because one has the picture of a black cat's face on it and the other has the profile of a black cat with it's back arched, like you would see at Halloween. The neat thing about these types of wines is there is just a hint of bubbles in them, unlike other wines other than champagne.
Reds
SCALA DEI CARTOIXA RS 00 $26.99 750ML
SCALA DEI NEGRE 03 $14.99 750ML
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ 05 $25.99
INNOCENT BYSTANDER SHIRAZ VIOGNIER 04 $15.99 750ML
CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS SHIRAZ 05 $14.99 750ML
TRENTADUE OLD PATCH RED 04 $10.49 750ML
CHATTER CREEK BLEND 105 04 $15.99 750ML
The Chatter Creek Blend is a new one to the market so if you can find it that will be a nice surprise for the snobs.
Blush (make sure you get fresh no older than 2006)
JABOULET PARALLEL 45 ROSE 06 $11.99 750ML
CAMPILLO ROSE 06 $10.99 750ML
TORRES DE CASTA ROSE 06 $10.49 750ML
So there ya go. Go forth and seek. If you decide to use any of my suggestions, please let me know how they were received so my folks can get some feedback. Regardless, please let us all know how things went.
Good luck. | |
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Mia828
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Joined: 1/26/2007
Msg: 27 | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 4/21/2007 12:16:18 PM | Opinions about wine are as pervasive as ... insert your anatomical allegory here ... everyone has one. Chaque a son gout ... tastes differ.
Me, I like Chablis, or a nice Alligoté, Pouille Fuissé, occasionally a chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, an Alsace; for red, a Pinot Noir, Chateau Neuf, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, chianti. Not much for rosé although there are some nice blush Zinfandels I've tried. Okay, so does that make me a wino? Or is it the brown paper bag and the park bench?
In the absence of your own experiential confidence to choose, I can recommend the following website for some helpful hints of recent releases (bearing in mind it's a Canadian website):
http://www.vintages.com/
I wouldn't try to compete with the (presumed) knowledge and expertise of these people. Make the effort, do your best, learn what you can and wish to learn, ignore the snobbish, and have a good time. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 4/21/2007 1:35:23 PM | Hi Maria
I recommend French Wine, you don't go wrong AT ALL, Red Wine in Particular "it's my favourite" from "Bordeaux Region" South of France, the secret is in the vine itself and ofcourse climate and soil of the Mediterranean. That was my favorite when I studied in Paris and still till today, available in more than one brand in LCBO stores, the bigger the store the more the selection ; look for french wines section, depends on the selection you might find some bit aged bottles for a few more $$ but still in your budget, I do buy it always and it's under $30.00. Show your guests that you're a connaisseur "Smile', it's easy on the palat, smooth, and gives excellent pleasant results, you can go "Bordeaux Region Wines" for the whole evening; which means for White & Rose' too and it depends on what you're serving your guests; but as a rule in general Red & Rose' wines goes with red meats like beef, while White & Rose' goes with meat like fish/lobsters and chicken especially if it's prepared with Sauce Blanche , Saute' "vegetables" and or rice, in all cases don't forget your ASSORTED CHEESES a selection of French and Swiss Cheese, of course Baguettes.... Digestive I would recommend Napoleon Cognac after dessert and or coffee.... Hope these tips will be some help for you, ask me if you need more tips... Take care | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/6/2007 7:04:07 AM | Ok Maria, it's the day after. Inquiring minds want to know. How did you make out? Was whatever wine you selected ok? What wines did you go with?
Come on woman, we want details!!!  | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/6/2007 7:25:00 AM | Smoking Lune........cabernet or 'St Michelle' inexpencive but good in taste.
Luies Jadot...........white (all good!)
blush I can't help you with.....sorry. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/6/2007 7:53:24 AM | | altho i no longer use alcohol in any way, shape, or form...i hafta say that the finest wine i have ever tasted came from a friends dads basement...it was your typical "dago red"...made with zinfandella grapes...the secret to its goodness was the length of time it was aged...this particular batch was aged...in bottles...for 9 years...it had taken on a pleasing amberish color and lacked the "new" taste that some wines have...the fist sip warmed me from my toes up...it was so easy to drink that...well...i made a piggie of myself | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/6/2007 9:16:53 AM | Balgorion:
I have to disagree Australia had world award winning wines and we have some of the finest vineyards in the world, one of which won the most prestigious wine competition world wide so there ya go.
I would say Aussie wine is among your best and I had never been a big fan of wine however a lot of the local vineyards are excellent and down south in place called Margaret river now you should try them pity time has past for the gathering. and yes it is always good to match the wine to your food my brother-in-law taught me that years ago. and since where I live I have Italians on all sides yes they would slap your hands, very passionate about that kind of thing wines and pasta.
anyway the bottonline is its all up to individual taste , adn serious consumers of wine know their stuff. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/6/2007 2:50:20 PM |
Any ideas?
Santa Margaretta Pino Grigio
Ecco Domani Pino Grigio and also Merlot
Culpeo Chardonnay
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
Woodbridge Chard....
Buena Vista Sav Blanc | |
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Mia828
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Joined: 1/26/2007
Msg: 35 | |
| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 5/9/2007 3:36:03 PM | I should had post this sooner. But been going alittle crazy with life. But in a good way.
I bought
Big House"2001 red wine from California
Red Guitar 2005 from California [red wine]
Kappa Nappa Chardonnay 2004 [white]
Scala Dei Negre 2003
and Yalumba Viognier "Y" 2005
Happy all were a hit and even bought a few extra bottles for myself.
Thank you for you help and advice!   | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 6/29/2007 1:24:10 PM |
Bring a bottle of Mezcal, a surly attitude, and backhand anyone who looks at you funny
LMAO....I think I met my match. | |
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Jemue
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Joined: 1/26/2005
Msg: 37 | |
| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 6/29/2007 1:42:08 PM | Whites, go for a Chardonnay, reds just about any Rijoa is going to be good.
The ones with the corks are going to be better.
Not true at all.
Yes I know Box wine is a big No no
I've had some good wine from boxes, and I'm a trained sommelier. Though the sigma remains from people who don't know better remains.
I was told by my uncle to get wines from spain.
That would be the Rijoa.
I like the idea of buy wines from different countries or states.
I would certainly hope so, most of the old world wines are the benchmark for the rest of the world.
Bring a bottle of Mezcal, a surly attitude, and backhand anyone who looks at you funny
Either that or cheap and nasty gin, like Beefeater etc. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 7:22:04 AM | | Corks? What year are some of you living in? Corks do not make the wine, never have, never will. There are some amazing wines that score over 97 points per parker and wine spec. that have screw tops. Wolf Blass Platinum is one of those very wines. Its around 113 a bottle and does have a screw top. Molly Dookers Carnival of Love which is around 80 a bottle also has a screw top. Most of the middle to high end Australian wines are going to screw tops. I have to admit there is nothing like pulling a cork on a bottle of vino, how ever dont be afraid of screw tops. Also wine snobs are just that snobs. They think they know more, and also think the more it costs the better it is. Nothing could be further from the truth. THere was a wine last year called Foris Klipsun very low production run, around 900 cases. Was only 13 dollars a bottle and its one of my favorite wines. I am picky about my wines, Corner Stone the Howell Mountain version, Wolf Blass Black Label, Penfolds 707, Turn Bull, Brochelle, etc etc are my usual wines. I do love finding that one hidden treasure that doesnt break the bank and taste like heaven. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 7:59:20 AM | rsx11s
nothing like stating the obvious there! How many Ontario wines have you actually tasted? And just so you know there are many many other places with better reps for their wine then California! Chilean wines are great and should be tried.. Actually most south American wines are pretty good. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 8:15:08 AM | ...Boy..I hate to tell you...but anyone that expects a guest..to supply about a 100 dollars worth of wine at a party is really going a bit too far...
...and anyone who tells you ..that a screw off cap on a wine bottle means it's a "lousy" wine....hasn't seen the results of a contest...where a bottle of "2 buck Chuck" white wine..kicked the asses of a bunch of snooty "handcrafted" wines. Sooooooooo'...I'd get myself some reading material (mostly off the 'net) ..buy the cheapest hooch that seemed to have good reviews...and never agree to supply the wine again..if anyone ****es.... | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 8:37:00 AM |
nothing like stating the obvious there! How many Ontario wines have you actually tasted?
Pretty much all of them. I just don't like them and can tell them a mile away. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 9:01:32 AM | Wine really is subjective even though we know there are awards given for certain wines. When you do a wine tasting, its interesting how some people won't even enjoy an award winning wine because its not "to their taste". Anyone saying that all Ontario wines taste like soot because they are all grown near highways have never done a tour of the Niagara peninsula. There are a lot of wineries off the beaten track.
Personally I would never take a white zinfandel to a dinner party where there would be some wine connoisseurs.....but thats just me I guess LOL. Some Californian wines are good just like some Ontario wines are ....they are both fairly young industries. Californian entered the international stage in the 70's while the Ontarians were in the 80's. There's good and bad in both. I wouldnt rate one higher but thats my personal taste.
Read a funny article about wine snobs....here's a part :
What distinguishes the true snob from the wafflers who call themselves connoisseurs is attitude.
Connoisseurs will try new wines from new regions; snobs are convinced that only traditional châteaux can make fine wine.
Connoisseurs dare not opine on areas outside their expertise, snobs know that intense conviction is sufficient, and factual support merely incidental.
Connoisseurs may open a bottle of wine in the kitchen; but snobs never miss the spectacle of decanting in front of guests.
Connoisseurs judge wine based on what's in the glass; snobs go by what's on the label.
Most of us are just wafflers, me thinks. LOL | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 9:14:25 AM | You need a variety of wines that'll cover all possibilities.
If you'll be having red meat, you'll want any wine that is produced by the following grapes:
Cabernet Sauvigon or Merlot.
A wine from the Bordeaux region of France offers a great mix of the two. If the label says:
"Grand Bordeaux Superieur", then it will be outstanding.
Another red, but for a less heavy meal, and one which you can have as an appetizer, is a Pinot Noir. Kim Crawford Marlborough Pinot Noir (I think it's from New Zealand... not sure) offers a less aggressive taste but is a favorite for a lot of people.
My personal favorite, mainly because it is subtle and not aggressive, is a Merlot called "Montesquieu (Grand Vin de Bordeaux), Reserve du Baron, 2003.
Freakin' delicious. It has an orange label. That wine alone will earn you the respect of your peers. And it's affordable. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 9:41:24 AM | | If your social life is involving people who are so screwed up as to be wine snobs and you worrying about what wine to bring to impress these people id say you need a better circle of friends. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 1:51:13 PM | A good wine contains a balance of elements: sugar, tannin, alcohol, and more complex highlights that make it fruity (from the grape variety), oaky (from its time in the barrel), floral (a combination of both), and so on. The complexities are more like aromas than flavors, so a lot of times you'll hear them referred to as the boquet or "nose."
The sugar to alcohol ratio determines whether a wine is sweet or dry.
The alcohol-to-water ratio determines whether or not the wine has "legs," thatAn adequate proportion of alcohol causes a drip pattern down the side of the glass after you swirl the wine around. That vertical run-off pattern is called the "legs."
The sugar to tannin ratio determines whether it is balanced, "too young" (e.g., tart or "acidic"), or bland (some acid is necessary to activate the aromas). The tannin breaks down over time as the wine ages in the bottle; full-flavored reds that are sold too soon can be down-right unpleasant if opened right away, but wonderful if opened a year or two later. Check to be sure that what they're selling you is ready to be served or meant to be stored.
California wines have an aftertaste, sometimes referred to as a "long finish." I used to think it was a sign of poor quality but have recently learned that it's intentional. Lots of subtle flavors supposedly emerge while it lingers. French wines tend to have a clean finish with no aftertaste. When you swallow a good French wine, it's as though you just drank water. That's still my preference, though now that I know how to appreciate a California wine, it might eventually change.
I was taught not to spit when tasting, but instead to take tiny slurps, almost like inhaling through the mouth. That mixes oxygen with the wine and brings the aromas into the nose while taking in very little liquid (and hence alcohol). But if it's a social thing, I'd serve the best wine first and not worry about it! | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 2:32:28 PM | Hi Marie, as far as wines go, you could try the following:
Reds:
2 bottles of Shiraz
2 bottles of Merlot
White:
Any dry Australian is good
Blush:
Just ask a clerk where the Rose wines are.
Hope this helps. My personal preference is Shiraz, I think it's
the best but like I said, my preference only.
 Fern | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 3:52:36 PM |
Wow impressive that you have tasted over 70 wineries wines!
What I said I'd done was try the wines, not tour the wineries.
Why do you care what flavour I prefer? When they make an Ontario wine that doesn't taste (in a blind test) like it was made in Ontario I'd consider serving it. Or I could get stuff Europe or California that's cheaper and better. Tough call.
Nationallism: the infantile belief that where you were born is the best country - Al. Einstein. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 7:45:23 PM | Yeah and you haven't tried all the wines unless you think we make just a few. And how can you call them flavours. You can't say you've tried all the varietals that we grow here unless you want to name them all for us.
You can't even begin to tell me that a Hillebrand Lakeshore Chardonnay, a Hillebrand Queenston Chardonnay, a Hillebrand Beamsville Bench and a Hillebrand Creek Road Chardonnay taste alike. The soils and locations are completely different.
Most everyone is going to disagree with you on the Ontario wines and that's fine. I would never purchase a Californian wine. | |
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| Dealing with wine snobs...Help.
Posted: 12/15/2007 7:45:52 PM | Yeah and you haven't tried all the wines unless you think we make just a few. And how can you call them flavours. You can't say you've tried all the varietals that we grow here unless you want to name them all for us.
You can't even begin to tell me that a Hillebrand Lakeshore Chardonnay, a Hillebrand Queenston Chardonnay, a Hillebrand Beamsville Bench and a Hillebrand Creek Road Chardonnay taste alike. The soils and locations are completely different.
Most everyone is going to disagree with you on the Ontario wines and that's fine. I would never purchase a Californian wine. | |
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