The Wine Bar - Place to Meet & Greet

Hi - I'm also new in these parts. I think I'll have a lot to learn from this team! Azure, I agree with your comment about the vacuum cork. I have also found it helpful to keep a couple of empty half bottles on hand, so I'll decant half of a new bottle and seal it up for another day... when I can resist the temptation to just have one more glass.

I do the Trivia Questions sometimes and was shocked to learn that alcohol is metabolized differently than other food. It was sadly sobering. I agree, it's tough. Thank goodness wine is the most diet-friendly form of alcohol!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutr
ition_articles.asp?id=563

Edited by: FIT4GOOD3 at: 3/17/2010 (01:03)

Hi Anamia8!

Its tough - I have the same problem. I think its healthy to drink a small amount each evening. I try to keep it to one or two MOST days, and as long as you track the calories and stick to healthy eating and exercising the rest of the time, you should be able to still lose.

One thing I've done is get a vacuum "cork" that sucks the air out so I don't feel like I have to finish the bottle. So I try to have my 1-2 glasses and then seal it up for the next day.

Best,
-Azure14

Hi all!

My name is Marie and I'm new to the Wine Lovers group! I'm also newly 21 (just turned last July) and I get my love of wine from my mother.

My favorites: Charles Shaw Merlot (we call it 2-buck chuck from Trader Joes. Its only 3 dollars a bottle but its delicious!) I also like Sutter Home Merlot and Luna di Luna Pinot Grigio.

So clearly, those are not fancy and expensive wines (what can i say? i'm a college student!)

The only problem I am running into is that I love wine so much, it's hard not to drink it every night or slow it down during the weekends when im out with my friends...

Does anyone have any tips for enjoying my favorite alcoholic beverage without it turning into a caloric disaster?

Thanks!

I went to my first "Monday Night Wine School" class on the 1st (missed the first class on soft whites because I was traveling, but my husband caught me up).

We were reviewing dry whites, and they had some great wines, including a couple of Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, and a couple different Chardonays. It was great, but I don't have my notes with me right now. I'll try to post tomorrow with which wines they were and how much I'd recommend them.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Hey, the wine tasting was well done. Mostly value wines, but very well done. There was a nice assortment of hot and cold appetizers, plenty of cheese and crackers, a trubador for entertainment and about 8 tables, each offering about a dozen different wines. I sampled 24 different wines during the evening, the first six or seven where whites, then I sampled wine varietels (grapes) that I had never tasted before ((Negro Amaro, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Sinfonia Rosso, Soave, Vitiano, Nero d'Avola, Moscato, Trevviano and Giuggiolo) then on to some Cabernets. My favorites of the night where a 2007 Bogle Petite Sirah (I have this a home as a favorite also) at $11.99 per bottle and the Farnese Montepulciano d"Abruzzo from Italy at $9.99 per bottle. My wife liked the Round Barn Cranberry Wine and her sister prefered the Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt "RK" Riesliing at $13.99 per bottle.
I was able to sip and spit thru the first 18 or so tastings, then I sipped and drank the rest.
dennyb

Hey Denny! How was the wine tasting? It sounds like it was a great price for the variety!

I am attending a wine tasting fund raiser for the local Kiwanis Club tonight. $30 entry per person entitles one to taste about 100 different wines. WOW!
They say you lose the ability to distinguish much after the first 10 tastings. We will see!
dennyb

Thanks for the welcome! I'll definitely share what I learn. Unfortunately I have to miss the first class which is Monday (2/22) because I'll be out of town, but my husband promises to bring back all the info. So the first class I'll actually be attending is March 1st. Should be fun!

Welcome Azure! I agree with Denny. The wine school sounds intriguing. Please share what you can. Good luck reaching your goals!

Hi Azure and welcome to SP and Wine Lovers!
That wine course sounds great. Please share some of your notes with us - there are many here that would appreciate a little more basic wine knowledge.
dennyb

Hi,

I've been on spark people about a week now. My goal is to get to my goal weight by my birthday in November and to meet a sub-goal by my son's wedding celebration in September.

I am marriend, work full time, and I'm working on an Executive MBA. I have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons. My second grandson was born this past Christmas Eve and I'm planning a visit later this month for my oldest grandson's 3rd birthday.

I love wine but I'm quite a novice. My husband and I are signed up for "Monday night wine school" through the local University. The class begins later this month. I'm really looking forward to learning more about wines.

Shark. WOW!! a Silver Oak, I like your tastes! But boy what a price to pay... good thing it was Dutch!
I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Chateau St. Michelle Cab 06 for dinner tonight at Bonefish Grille here in Independence, Ohio, a SE suburb of Cleveland. I am here on some business with the Cleveland Clinic and decided to spend the night at my inlaws home in Parma.

I am also picking up some wine shipped to me c/o my inlaws because winelibrary.com will not ship direct to Michigan. I am picking up a six pack of an Italian Red blend: AGRICOLA PUNICA Isola dei Nuraghi Barrua 2004 Wine Spectator Score: 92
Release Price: $55 (my on-line price was $36.00)
Region: Sardinia
Tasting Notes by Wine Spectator Mag.:
Impressive aromas of ripe fruit and grilled meat follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Juicy and concentrated, yet balanced.
I am splitting the order with a golfing, wine-drinking friend back in Michigan.
Will let you know how it tastes to me a little later this year.
dennyb

The Lan reserve wine is one of the best bang for your buck Rioja's that you can get in the States. I live in Spain and despite having access to other great Rioja reserves at European prices (aka a lot less tax) Lan is persistently one of my faves.

Denny,

Fresh back from the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama -- had a chance to play there - Ross Bridge is a beauty.

Since this is the Wine Lovers team I will add that I tried a couple of marginal petite sirahs but my brother threw in a 2004 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet that was outstanding.

Shark

Well, the Spanish make great Rioja's - and they are probably the most approachable for many Americans, so here is a great Rioja at a great price....

BODEGAS LAN
Rioja Reserva 2004

Score: 90
Release Price: $15
Region: Spain
Wine Spectator's Top 100 for 2008, Rank: 52

A silky texture carries expressive flavors of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused, balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. Drink now through 2012. 50,000 cases made.

This should be available at most wine shops or grocery stores, - I last saw it at COSTCO!

Good hunting,
dennyb


Edited by: DENNISBISHOP at: 9/30/2009 (10:24)

dennyb-
My knowledge of Spanish wines is a weakness...most of what I have purchased was low end to go into Sangria!

I'm sure you can name a couple spicy reds that I will enjoy.

Thanks.
Dooze

DOOZE, What, no spicy reds from Spain?
dennyb

Porgy...what a great boss you have! A very nice bottle of wine to celebrate your birthday!

I too make my own wine. I stick to grapes though...mostly reds from CA, and usually a small batch or two of white for the hot summer days. I like to make what I drink, which is a eclectic variety of reds.

I like big Zins, like Norman Vineyards "The Monster" or "Mephistopheles". Besides the obvious Napa or Sonoma reds, I enjoy most reds from Paso Robles; Washington cabs and merlots; malbecs from Argentina; peppery syrahs (as opposed to jammy Aussie style shiraz); medium bodied Pinot Noir from Oregon or Washington.

Welcome to the group.

Porgy
I like your tastes in wine! Opus and Duckhorn are fantastic wineries...... alas, both are undergoing ownership changes and have recently slipped in the ratings wars. My first "great" bottle, the one that opened my eyes to the world of what wine could taste like, was a 96 Duckhorn Merlot served to me and my wife at Morton's in Orlando. WOW! We will always remember THAT bottle! The Coach Insignia Cab - do you mean the Fisher Coach Insignia? Yes that is a great wine. Or do you mean the Joseph Phelps Insignia? (Mostly cab, but a true Brodeaux style blend from Napa) The 2002 JPI was Wine Spectator's #1 wine of the year in 2005 - I was lucky enough to score two bottles at a $99 per bottle steal. Currently, the 06 vintage is selling for $169 at Costco. The twin 02's are still in my cellar, waiting for the right event. I have tasted the 02 a couple of times at restaurants and it is a dynamite wine - the only one of two that I have given ratings above 95 pts. The other? - an 02 Buccella Cab. You will never see Buccella in a wine shop or restaurant, all of the small winery's 400 to 600 case yearly production sells out on line through their wine club. You have to order a min. 3 bottles, for around $450 total... wine, custom wood box, shipping, tax. These are far too expensive for me to consider them as my "favorites" though. My top two are Caymus Cab and Reguscci Cab. - both Napa stars! A little pricey, but they will not break the bank at $65 and $45 respectively. Our "everyday" best wine includes Columbia Crest Grand Estates (Cab or Merlot)($8.99) and Boggle Vineyards Petite Sirah ($7.99). Both I look for at Costco!

I have several favorites.

Duckhorn Estate (Cab is first choice, but they have a great Merlot as well); Opus ... my boss gives me a bottle for my birthday (and my birthday is Saturday
); I recently tried Coach Insignia Cab which was wonderful.

I also like to try the organic and sulphide-free wines.

We have been making wines on a whim whenever we get a good batch of fruit for about 15 years. The last batch we named, "Jim's Boneyard Wine" made from blackberries picked in the family's graveyard. It turned out wonderful.

I am looking at making a white our of the bosc pears on one of our trees this fall.

Welcome Porgy.
What are some of your favorite wines? What are you drinking now?
dennyb

Hi Porgy,
welcome!

I, too, have made my own wine though it was years ago and I was not brave enough to try making red. Might have to get back into it at one point, it was fun.

Thanks Char ... I am looking forward to conversing with people who are not afraid to try something new or look down on me for enjoying something old.

Shoot, I even make my own when I have the time and right ingredients.

Welcome, Porgy! You've come to the right place! This team offers up some great suggestions!

Hey all ... I just joined you and am looking for some recommendations from those who love to imbibe the wonderful nectors this world has to offer. I have traveled the world and have found that we don't always have to leave home to find something special.

Backed off wines for the most part this past week.
However, enjoyed an 05 Regusci Cab and an 04 Dariquish Cab last Friday with some friends out on the deck with steak and sea bass.
Take care,
dennyb

Thanks for the notes on that Dennyb. I have to admit, I am quite ignorant when it comes to the ratings and things. I have never paid much attention to them and don't really know what they mean. I also suck at picking out the underlying flavours, but I have fun trying. :)

The Antinori sold for about $48 in the liquor store here (Alberta, Canada) and was just as nice the second time around. I had opened it and then went away for a few days so I put one of those sealy top thingies on it and just finished it this past weekend. Leaving it to sit left it with almost a port taste...still very nice but I would have rather had the 'fresh' flavour, so to speak.

I buy in bulk a fair bit as well - most of the stores here will offer a discount on 6 or more bottles of the same. I just like what I like...if its an $8 bottle of Barefoot or an $80 bottle of something else...if it tastes good and I enjoy it, I'll buy it again!

Started our weekend last night....with the best BBQ I've ever had! The boss hosted a bash at his house. Stuck to 3 (smoked all day) ribs & small piece of brisket (w/the most amazing homemade spicy BBQ sauce ever), small corn cob, salad, watermelon/cantelope, and one little chocolate chip cookie (skipped the yummy fruit pies...not my thing really). Kept the drinks to two and actually remained somewhat within my caloric range for the day. Started with a T&T, and guess what "Black Box Cab" with dinner. And that being served by a boss who is quite learned in wines, and loves sharing his better selections with friends on a smaller scale.

Off to get ready for a walk.....to keep last night's ribs from sticking on mine!

Have a great rest of the weekend. Cheers, T

My go-to wines are a spanish red (will remember the name later) and Root 1 Cab. They have never failed me. Always trying new selections, but if I want to serve something I know and like, those seem to be fairly stable and very drinkable for most pallets.

YAGU
I really do not have any solid "stand-bys" because the fact remains - what was an outstanding bottle from a winery one year turns out to be very weak the next. Wineries are at the mercy of too many variables that they can not control (weather), and, they are exposed to the "risk" of their harvest decisions. I rely upon various publications and local wine merchants to tell me what and when to buy. I have about 400 bottles of wine in my basement, stored in various methods (depending on value) so I do not have any urgency to go out and buy a bottle of wine - I wait for the right bottle at the right price, then buy in volume. Me and three of my friends have a little wine club that buys in volume, a case at a time at any one of three local wine shops - where we receive outstanding value. I rarely purchase a wine with a Wine Spectator rating of less then 88.
dennyb

ONA
Glad to see you are back, missed ya! Yep, this is THE place to get back in shape - I am on my third year of my one year plan! LOL!! Sure beats the alternative.

YAGU
I have not tired the Antinori you mentioned - but it is a great winery with outstanding products! Wine Spectator had these notes on your bottle:

2004 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Tenute Marchese (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico)

Score: 89

Release Price: $35

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Issue: Oct 15, 2008

Earthy aromas soon blow off to reveal a dense core of crushed black fruit, with hints of bitter herbs and clay. Full- to medium-bodied, with fine, fruit-coated tannins and a medium finish. Offers mature and fascinating Sangiovese character. Drink now. 30,000 cases made

The users at Cellar Tracker gave the bottle a community average rating of 91.2 with a tasting note by a user identified as "Yiannis" on 5/25/2009 & rated 89 points: Dark ruby-red. Sour cherry, black cherry, earth and sweet spices. Mid-full bodied, with very soft tannins, good fruit and balancing acidity. Velvety and elegant. Good finish. Nice to drink now. Perfectly paired with perche with tomato sauce, yellow peppers and mushrooms.

Looks like this bottle sells for about $30.00 in the store.

Well, the Bolla of course.

I also like Banrock Station Shiraz and usually pick up some Jackson Triggs either Merlot or Cab-Sav just to have on hand.

I usually only buy white when we are having company that I know prefer it, since I rarely drink it. When I do buy white its usually Peller Estates Sauvignon Blanc.

I was in LA for work in April and stopped by Il Sole (lovely little place, highly recommend it if anyone is going) for supper one night - had an AMAZING bottle of Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico 2004 there - well worth the money! As luck would have it, I was able to find a store here that carries it as well, so I picked up another bottle..loved it just as much the second time around
:)

What are your stand by's?

Hey all! Back in town to lose that which I have regained (since my success summer before last), and have found that the best place to do that....and still enjoy my wine....is right here at SP! Was reading your update DB...you're so inspirational, and wholly realistic at the same time.

Anyway, picked up a Castello Monaci Negroamaro 2006 from Salento on my way home from work (a major contributor to my gaining process since I started last Nov...and resultant lack of the former gym routine!). It is fairly tasty, though a little lighter than I prefer. Just trying something new.

Looking forward to chatting...hope you are well.

Cheers, T

So Yagu, what are the two to three that you normally have on hand as your "regulars"?
dennyb

I often get wonderful wine ideas from this thread. I have compiled a great list I carry with me on my trips to my favorite wine shop! Have a great day everyone!

Sounds like a lovely evening Dennis!

I'm going to have to start writing some of these names down and venture out a bit...I usually pick up the same 2 or 3 that I already know I love so it will be fun to try some new ones

Enjoyed a bottle of 2006 Numanthia Termes Toro Termes last night with grilled pork chops and sweet potatoes out n the deck. Wine Spectator had it rated at 93 pts and I was able to pick it up for a little over $25 at my favorite wine shop. I highly recommend it - very dark eggplant-blueberry color, lots of dark berries and cherry fruit flavor with well integrated tannins and spice notes. Very long finish.
dennyb

Very relaxed night on a friend's patio. I brought over some fresh salmon and veggies to grill and he brought out 3 wines to share:
2006 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Valdefinjas (Spanish Red)
05 Celani Family Cab - $50 Napa Red
02 Château Larruau - Bordeaux

Glad I did not have far to drive home!
dennyb

Edited by: DENNISBISHOP at: 7/15/2009 (14:36)

Here is a unique wine -
Jul 10, 2009 DOMINIO DEL PLATA Syrah-Bonarda Mendoza Crios de Susana Balbo 2007 (88 points, $15)
Ripe, juicy and forward, with delicious plum, licorice snap and spice cake notes that ripple through the medium-weight finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.

Jul 09, 2009 DOMAINE DE MOURCHON Côtes du Rhône 2008 (87 points, $10)
Fresh and juicy, with open-knit red cherry and currant fruit laced with hints of garrigue and tobacco. There's a nice chalky twinge on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

Here is a big tip
The 2006 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta has just been released to distributors here in the US - It is expected to sell our very quickly! Why? Because the 2005 Clos Apalta was Wine Spectator Magazine's "WINE OF THE YEAR" last year.

Here are WS's tasting comments on the 05 Clos Apalta:
Gorgeous aromas of warm ganache and mocha lead to a rich, velvety palate loaded with currant, fig paste, black licorice, cassis bush and bramble notes. The long, juicy finish has great grip and density, with echoes of graphite, dark fruit and mineral. Should greatly reward cellaring. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. 96 pts. - exceptional!
We expect the 06 to be very close in quality due to the fine growing and harvesting reports on 2006's crop.

Now the tough news - this wine is expected to sell for about $75.00 per bottle - less at case quanity purchases. But then, it is in a class all by itself! Try to find a bottle to buy - and enjoy a taste of the best in wine!

Good hunting!
dennyb

Edited by: DENNISBISHOP at: 7/7/2009 (11:53)

Wow, Denny, sounds like a great party! I spent the holiday in Chicago with a million other people! Always a good time in Chicago! Now it's back to the old grind...

Pretty fantastic weekend - rounds of golf on Friday and Sunday and a big party on our deck Saturday - wife's birthday! Nine bottles bit the dust:
Columbia Crest Cab Reserve 2005 (2 bottles)
Caymus 2006
Vice Versa - Napa Cab 2005
Duckhorn Decoy - Napa Red Blend - 2003
Duckhorn - Paraduxx - Napa Zin Blend - 2004
Duckhorn - Paraduxx - Napa Zin Blend - 2005
Tisdale - Cab 2002 - 1/2 for the pasta sauce!
St. Francis Petite Sirah Zichichi Vineyard 2003
Note: there were g6 people drinking wine, three drinking margaritas and three drinking beer beer. The party started at 3:00 pm and we said goodbye to our last guests at midnight.
dennyb

Edited by: DENNISBISHOP at: 7/6/2009 (08:36)

For me, the weekend starts at 5:00 pm this afternoon!
Wooohpeeeee!
dennyb

NOW YOUR TALKING MY LANGUAGE....
Em

couldn't get better

July 4th - Red & White wines with clear blue skies!
dennyb

Trying to see if my son has plans and if not we will go visit him and there will be wine.

Thanks Dennis
Hey, 4th of July would not be a holiday without good friends & good wine...I'm ready for it...
Em

Congrats GOR!k

Hey, anybody have plans for this nice July 4th weekend? Does it involve wine?

My wife's birthday is July 4th (every year) and we celebrate it with fun, food, friends and wine on our deck. The weather forecast is promising for this Saturday, so... grease up the corkscrew - here we come!

dennyb

THANKS..MNABOY
it feels so great to finally lose weight, i have been struggling for several years to shed this & it's HERE!!!!!!