The Official Wine Thread

[NJE66]

What are y'all's thoughts on white wine? I don't normally drink white wine, but every now and then the audience requires it.

You could try out a rich oaked Chardonnay from California or similar with some aged Pata Negra/Jamon Iberico.

Riesling from Alsace or Mosel. White Bourgogne (Chablis etc.). Sauvignon blanc from New Zealand or Sancerre.

Champagne.

Sauternes, Ice wine from Germany (really recommended) and Tokaji for deserts.

 

[dwlbu]

What are y'all's thoughts on white wine? I don't normally drink white wine, but every now and then the audience requires it.

Unless you eat a diet consisting of only beef, I think learning the world of whites is crucial... certainly at least try enough whites to have some go tos for chicken, seafood, and summer drinking w/o food.

I wouldn't advise cutting your teeth on white burgs, while they are probably the best white wines i've ever had, they can be expensive and difficult to purchase given the producers are small and selecting by french named geographies/vineyards is crucial.

Also, i think Rieslings can be a little difficult for starting out too. While its much easier to find inexpensive options, there are plenty of rieslings that are off dry and could immediately turn a typical red drinker off when you taste the sweetness. I'd ask an expert at a wine store if you're inclined to go the riesling route. (don't get me wrong, they are great wines, just may be a bit cumbersome for a beginner)

To ease into whites, i'd actually recommend dry roses from provence or languedoc france (Oregon and washington are also making some good roses with rhone varietals)... i wouldn't pay much more than $18/bottle. Typically they're great to drink alone or with food - i usually day drink with rose and also serve as an aperitif. provencal roses are typically made with grenache, which is a red grape. Serve chilled and the mouthfeel and flavor profile will lean much more toward that of a white wine than a red.

After rose, i think napa sauv blancs, Sancerre (french sauv blanc region) and italian pinot grigios are a next stepping stone. These tend to have good quality to price ratios and are great enjoyed alone but pair very well with lighter dishes like seafood and cheeses. Cliff Lede and stags leap sauv blancs (both ~$19) are great entry level napa options. For pinot grigio, we plow through the costco Kirkland friuli pinot grigio at $5.99/bottle... probably one of the best steals in the wine world . There are so many other good italian whites but i'm trying to keep this fairly entry level.

For heavier dishes like chicken or buttery seafood, a chardonnay is definitely the way to go. Unfortunately the prices for chard are more expensive, so i'd recommend trying some Chablis, macon villages, or pouilly fuisse on the less expensive french end. then napa chards on the american side of things... just know that american chards have a reputation of being huge oak bombs.

After you've got a good feel for those wines and want to get more exploratory at that point you probably want to creep into the hardcore white burgs and Alsatian & German rieslings.

P.S. Don't sleep on Prosecco, and Champagnes

 

[RedLantern]

Vouvray and reisling are my go-to whites, but pretty much any med+ to high acid white is good for me.

 

[countdemoney]

Walla Walla Valley

It’s been nearly ten years since my last visit and there are a lot of new wineries.

Other than the wonderful regulars like Abeja and l’Ecole (sadly no visits at Cayuse and Leonetti), do you have any suggestions? I don’t care about the ‘winery experience’, just want to taste great wine.

Many thx for suggestions

I'm assuming you are looking for reds?

Rasa. You'll need to make an appointment. Small, highly acclaimed.
https://www.rasavineyards.com/

Kiona. They mainly grow grapes, that the top producers use (Betz, Au Clair, others) but they also do some of their own wine. Great opportunity to see one of the state's top Red Mountain vineyards. Anything from their Heart of the Hill vineyard is almost always spectacular. Their own label tends to be excellent juice with great QPR.
https://www.kionawine.com/
https://www.kionawine.com/buy-our-fruit

Fidelitas - one of the current critics darlings. While they do have a Woodinville tasting room, but the winery is in Walla walla and you can get a tour of the winery if the dates work out.
http://www.fidelitaswines.com/Visit/Red-Mountain

Maison Bleue. We went through 4 cases of their Metis last year. Our go to with visiting friends when you just want a glass and a chat. Non-wine and wine people both remarked on it. They've just bought a new estate and released their first wine from it. Haven't had it yet, but looking forward to it.
https://www.maisonbleuewinery.com/

If you are looking for something in particular, I can try to come up with a few more.

 

[audiophilia]

Reds, yes. Many thanks for the great suggestions.

 

[RedLantern]

I'm assuming you are looking for reds?

Rasa. You'll need to make an appointment. Small, highly acclaimed.
https://www.rasavineyards.com/

Kiona. They mainly grow grapes, that the top producers use (Betz, Au Clair, others) but they also do some of their own wine. Great opportunity to see one of the state's top Red Mountain vineyards. Anything from their Heart of the Hill vineyard is almost always spectacular. Their own label tends to be excellent juice with great QPR.
https://www.kionawine.com/
https://www.kionawine.com/buy-our-fruit

Fidelitas - one of the current critics darlings. While they do have a Woodinville tasting room, but the winery is in Walla walla and you can get a tour of the winery if the dates work out.
http://www.fidelitaswines.com/Visit/Red-Mountain

Maison Bleue. We went through 4 cases of their Metis last year. Our go to with visiting friends when you just want a glass and a chat. Non-wine and wine people both remarked on it. They've just bought a new estate and released their first wine from it. Haven't had it yet, but looking forward to it.
https://www.maisonbleuewinery.com/

If you are looking for something in particular, I can try to come up with a few more.

Kiona and Fidelitas are defnitely worth a visit, but Red Mountain is a little ways from Walla Walla. Still, definitely day trip-able if you are staying in Walla Walla.

Another couple places I really like in that are near walla walla are Beresan and Buty

https://www.butywinery.com/Contact-Us
http://www.balboawinery.com/winery/

 

[Newcomer]

This afternoon, the ole lady and I drank a bottle of Ameztoi Txakolina Rubentis. Holy hell, is it ever delicious. Not exactly a wine worth studying, but absolutely scrumptious.

 

[concealed]

My favorite whites are Muscadet, particularly Domaine de la Pepiere - the Clos des Briords single vineyard stuff is a mind meltingly good deal if you can find it lying around! Great with oysters.

 

[djblisk]

I just had this at Spinasse in Seattle. Run do not walk. I can't find any back here in California but this is a tremendous deal for a great wine. If anyone finds it for shipping, let me know.

2006 Malvira Langhe San Guglielmo

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2657430

 

[djblisk]

I just had this at Spinasse in Seattle. Run do not walk. I can't find any back here in California but this is a tremendous deal for a great wine. If anyone finds it for shipping, let me know.

2006 Malvira Langhe San Guglielmo

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2657430

If someone could be a proxy in Illinois, I would appreciate it.

 

[venividivicibj]

‘15 Darnaud crozes today.

Surprisingly easy to drink, especially for the 15 vintage

 

[jcman311]

If someone could be a proxy in Illinois, I would appreciate it.

Only guy I know is @otc Not sure if he is a drinker though. I would drive down if family life wasn't so hectic. I even have a Binny's card.

 

[djblisk]

Only guy I know is @otc Not sure if he is a drinker though. I would drive down if family life wasn't so hectic. I even have a Binny's card.

Darnit!

 

[Principle]

Price was too good to pass up seven mags of 2004 Rioja Alta

 

[dwlbu]

Since I know a few of you are on the Full Pull list and have bought or tasted La Rata, I just tried my first bottle (2012, which was the first vintage) and figured I'd copy my CT tasting note over here. I rated it a 93

Took to Avec in Chicago. Had many strong cocktails at Aviary beforehand so my palate wasn't extremely discerning at this point. Splash decanted and immediately the rocks funk was in your face (in a good way). Nice wine with a wonderful flavor profile, but I thought the body and depth was a touch too thin to rate it any higher. Haven't had any Cayuse to compare it to, but I'd say Result of a Crush is a inexpensive way to get quality Rocks access without having to shell out $70+. That being said, i'm not removing my name from the Cayuse wait list.