Teach a fool all about wine

[DRoseDARs]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Another tip is stay away from expensive wines. That way you never know what you're missing.

You're never gonna' hear better advice than that...

[The Mad Monk]

Wines For Dummies

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/books/0764551140/customer-reviews/701-1907018-3101113

This is the book I meant. Check out the customer reviews.

[Saras]

Chateau d'Yquem & foie gras !!!

[Gangerolf]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
If it comes in a box INSTEAD of a bottle...avoid like the plague.

nonsense. boxed wine doesn't taste any worse. And it's so practical.

[Hurricane]

It is often a good idea for beginners to stay away from the expensive wines, since they require an aquired taste. It's like asking someone who has never tried coffee for what they think taste better: coffee with lots of milk and sugar or extra-strong espresso. Or why not compare it to the Civ3-like evolution of starting at Chieftain and slowly working your way up to deity.

So start with the cheap and "friendly" wines, and when you feel you like to try a more refined taste, buy something older and more expensive.

[Buck Birdseed]

Right, wine:

It's like grape juice that some ****er has left in a cupboard for too long, except industrially so. Tastes like crap- how can you drink something so clearly gone bad?

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Asher
Is Champagne actually a wine?

The Mad Monk should have an answer for this one.

[Saras]

Originally posted by Buck Birdseed
Right, wine:

It's like grape juice that some ****er has left in a cupboard for too long, except industrially so. Tastes like crap- how can you drink something so clearly gone bad?

Knowing your musical tastes, MeatLoaf, Jr., I'm not surprised

[MRT144]

meatloaf junior.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Sten Sture
Spencer - they have wine bars in B'ham???

(I actually might be moving your direction)

I havent seen one here but they may have one where Asher is.

Whereabouts?

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Tingkai


The Gewurztraminer from the Okanagan tends to be drier and spicier.

Asher: If you're in the Okanagan, head south of Penticton to Okanagan Falls and go to the Wild Goose winery. They make a fantastic Gewurztraminer. Nice and crisp, but like I said, very different from the European style (or at least I haven't found any European vintages that tasted like the Okanagan style).

Another tip is stay away from expensive wines. That way you never know what you're missing.

My favorite was Grey Monk Cellars, all the whites except the Riesling.

[Daz]

Another thing to avoid: cheap champagne.

It`s bad wine treated with a pinch of co2. Basically a fake, because it is impossible do make good, cheap champagne.

[lightblue]

If you are not used to wines I'd start with New World whites. Easier to drink and appreciate than a 1982 Chateauneuf du Pape. I was never into wine until I came to cambridge and discovered that at the dinners here you are supposed to bring a bottle of wine (yes each ) . Lighter red wines such as a Shiraz or Merlot are quite nice with red meats.

I generally go for Aussie of South African wines because I find they have a better price:quality ratio than the French.

[Sava]

boycott France!

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Daz
Another thing to avoid: cheap champagne.

It`s bad wine treated with a pinch of co2. Basically a fake, because it is impossible do make good, cheap champagne.

Absolutely. Cheap Sparkling wine is better avoided too. Its taste can be correct, especially for a beginner, but it very often gives head- and stomachache, and quench you thirst for alcohol for the rest of the evening (i.e you won't want to drink better wines after).