Your Favorite Wine

[popltree2]

A lot of us enjoy a nice glass of vino, whether it be for the taste, the sophistication, or because you are a wine-o. But tell me, what is your favorite of these nectars of the Gods? If you have a few, list them and what you drink them with.

[masherscf]

A lot of us enjoy a nice glass of vino, whether it be for the taste, the sophistication, or because you are a wine-o. But tell me, what is your favorite of these nectars of the Gods? If you have a few, list them and what you drink them with.

Barley Wine!

[tokenuser]

Barley Wine!Spot the beer ***** in the group :)

I have an Australian bias - because we produce damn good, affordable wine.

Favourite red: Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (http://www.wynns.com.au/wines/cab-sauv.asp). Make sure it is 5 years old at least before opening. I have a couple of bottles of '98 left, and a solitary '97 ... You can find this in specialty wine importers in the US, and will cost you $20-30 (depending on Vintage and supply).
Favourite white: Rosemont Chardonnay (http://www.rosemountestate.com/wine_list/diamond_label/chardonnay/index.htm). I get this from the supermarket as needed. It is cheap (< $10), and readily available.
Favourite fortified: Penfolds Grandfather Port (http://www.winestar.com.au/prod882.htm) (but at $70/bottle ... it is rare I get to taste this one ... the Great Grandfather Port is even better - but is in the $500/bottle range)

Drinking for a BBQ? Chateau Cardboard - Banrock Station Shiraz or Merlot. Don't knock it until you have tried it. I have had the same wine from bottles, but the cask wine actually ages better.

People say to dring red wine at room temp. Thats a myth. It should be at cellar temp, which is 16C/64F (the approximate temp of a subterranean cave in France) ... so throw your red in the fridge for 30 min before cracking it open.

BTW - As much as I am biased to Aussie wines, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa also have excellant wines. I am not a huge fan of US wines, finding them sold too "young" (and never EVER serve me a Zinfandel ... bleah). An exception to my general dislike of US wine are the Wild Horse Wines (http://www.wildhorsewinery.com/) and other boutique estates out of the California Central coast. MUCH better than Napa or Sonoma (IMHO).

Oh yeah - if you ever get the chance to try a Penfold Grange Hermitage ... this is the most highly rated wine in the world, and is a pure joy to drink ... if you can find it.

[popltree2]

I have recently discovered the Yellow Tail Shiraz/Cab. I like the initial sweetness and then kinda kicks in with a little bit of a bite. I also like the Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio. It all depends on the occasion. I would have to agree with Token, not a big fan of the Zins much at all.

[tokenuser]

I have recently discovered the Yellow Tail Shiraz/Cab. I like the initial sweetness and then kinda kicks in with a little bit of a bite. I also like the Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio. It all depends on the occasion. I would have to agree with Token, not a big fan of the Zins much at all.You're in the Santa Barbara area right? Its a short drive to some great cellar door vineyards in the SLO area there. Even Masher would be happy in SLO - they have a kick ass microbrewery there :) ... can't remember if they do barely wine, but they did a great red and a nice heff.

[lsman11]

i actually did some wine tasting, and spicy red wine gave this nice kick... so i would say i like Malbec and RED Zinfandel (not the white ones, or even the blushes.. RED)

[popltree2]

You're in the Santa Barbara area right? Its a short drive to some great cellar door vineyards in the SLO area there. Even Masher would be happy in SLO - they have a kick ass microbrewery there :) ... can't remember if they do barely wine, but they did a great red and a nice heff.

Indeed I am. The Santa Ynez valley has some great vineyards. There is a little town called Los Olivos that has pretty much nothing but tasting rooms and a little general store that makes a kick ass tri-tip sandwich.

[xibalba]

I like Black Opal wines. They are Australian aren't they?

[ariastar]

Chiraz is good. But I favor anything brut.