Thursday Notes
on 04/26/2012 at 11:44 AM
$40 (retail) is about the top end for us. We’ll spend more on a special dinner out, with the understanding that restaurant prices include a big markup.
Haven’t tried Barolo/Nebbiolo wines, but you make it sound awfully good. I’ll keep my eye out for one locally.
We’re big fans of South American wines. We’re not experts, just enthusiastic amateurs, but really like wines from Chile and/or Argentina - great taste and great value.
I’m a Thunderbird and Ripple (vintage January) person myself.
Only kidding.
I enjoy simple, non-vintage California wines myself. Something fruity and inexpensive. Occasionally, in the summer, I like a German Riesling. Not ice cold, just cellar temperature.
Unfortunately, my wine guzzling days are slowly coming to an end. My 70 year old stomach is rebelling against being doused with alcohol.
CenTex - barolo is unlike anything you’ve ever had before. No other wine tastes even remotely like it. I found out that our bowling buddy isn’t rich. Nor well-cellared. He buys the cheap brands of semi-barolo, and drinks them (as Gollum would say) “raw and wriggling”. Which would be akin to covering a lit firecracker with chili peppers and putting it in your mouth. Tannins not just chewy but tougher than old shoe leather. To each his own!
I am actually quite afraid of expensive wines. Not because I’m intimidated by them (I am a little), nor because I doubt my ability to taste the difference, but because there is no control over the delivery process, and a day or two in a hot truck can kill a good vintage bottle, which you’ll still pay top dollar for, then cellar for a decade, only to find out it’s turned to cat wizz. I don’t have that kind of cash to gamble. Better off with a good gin & tonic with a slice of lime. Heck, sometimes even finding fresh beer that was shipped cold can be tough.
If you’ve got a recommendation for ones from Chile I’m open. I’m new to them all, but the Concha y Torro ones seem like they should be a fair go. I do like the idea of $9 wine that isn’t Two Buck (up)Chuck crap.
Drew -
Sorry for the delay in responing. Busy time of the year for me. Anyway…
We like the Concha y Toro label for reasonably priced wines that deliver a reliable taste. Generally speaking, their wines are not outstanding, but not terrible. Like I said, dependable.
Los Vascos is a little more hit or miss. We had a good experience with the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. It had the traditional SB citrusy taste - crisp and clean. Cost was around USD 15.
I was surprised to find that Chile, in general, is a good source for Sauvignon Blanc. We’ve always been big fans of the New Zealand SBs, but Chile isn’t far behind. Don’t know why, really, other than much of their grapes are grown in mountain valleys that cool off quite a bit at night.
I’m not a big fan of heavy, tanniny reds. I like my reds on the smooth, gentle side (seductive...). For Chilean wines, that generally means the little-known Carmeneres varietal. We’ve enjoyed these wines from Concho y Toro and Valdivieso (often in the form of a blended red containing carmeneres). Not always easy to find, but like I said, smooth and enjoyable, at least IMO.
I haven’t had any, but I’ve heard good things about the Cono Sur vineyard. Try the Merlot (I know, I know...), the Sauvignon Blanc, or the Carmenere (if you can find it).
04/27/2012 at 12:33 AM
