Your Favourite Wines...

[cotedupy]

Seems to be more talk here about beer and whisk(e)y, but what do people like to drink wine-wise?

Grape varieties*, producers, regions, countries, styles. Just whatever you like do drink...



* And, seeing as I have a soapbox, I am going to take the opportunity to be be a terrible pedant and remind our friends in Australia and the US that it is 'variety' not 'varietal'. Varietal is a word, but it's an adjective. Something can have 'varietal typicity' - it tastes of the grape variety/ies it's made from, or can be a 'varietal wine' - one made from a single variety. But Chardonnay is not a varietal.

 

[cotedupy]

I'll go first; Beaujolais, Barbaresco, Aligote, Sherry, Vermentino.

 

[KO88]

I'm lately into natural wines. Very different to standard wines but pleasant especially the second day

Dlúhé Grefty

 

[LostHighway]

I tend to prefer Old World wines to New World wines

Whites: Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), Verdicchio, Albarino, Riesling, Cortese (Gavi), and Sauvignon Blanc (but not so much the fruit bombs). If something rounder/less acidic is appropriate: Chardonnay (if not over oaked or otherwise over manipulated), the Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier blends, or Arneis
Reds: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir (but I can't afford to drink the Pinots I like on even a semi-regular basis), GSM blends, Nebbiolo, Aglianico, Barbera, and Dolchetto.

Really good examples of natural wines can be great but there is also quite a bit of rather questionable natural wine out there. I do appreciate that some of the natural producers are reviving very out of fashion and nearly forgotten grapes.

 

[sumis]

i'm certainly no expert on wines, but i do have a certain expertise when it comes to drinking. and in my thirst quenching endeavours i have passed through a vineyard or two. i'm very much a layman here, but extremely enthusiastic, so to speak

pinot noir – agree w/ @LostHighway about how pricey great old world pn is (as well as the more trendy US ones), so for a few years i've been drinking my fill on NZ pn. still drinking.

cannonau – spent a lot of time in sardinia and got to appreciate the wines. didn't take much persuasion …

vermentino – yup, sardinia again. and i think i like albarino for the same reasons i like veremtino di sardegna.

nebbiolo – the good stuff becomes pricey fast it seems; but sometimes i like it when a wine shows me the middle finger. i mean, its only fair that you gotta earn the grape's respect to devour them. seriously though, when nebbiolo is great its not at all just about macho tannins – in my humble enthusistic laymans opinion.

i'm new to this forum, and lurking hard. looking forward to be schooled on grapes as well.

.

 

[cotedupy]

I tend to prefer Old World wines to New World wines

Whites: Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), Verdicchio, Albarino, Riesling, Cortese (Gavi), and Sauvignon Blanc (but not so much the fruit bombs). If something rounder/less acidic is appropriate: Chardonnay (if not over oaked or otherwise over manipulated), the Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier blends, or Arneis
Reds: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir (but I can't afford to drink the Pinots I like on even a semi-regular basis), GSM blends, Nebbiolo, Aglianico, Barbera, and Dolchetto.

Really good examples of natural wines can be great but there is also quite a bit of rather questionable natural wine out there. I do appreciate that some of the natural producers are reviving very out of fashion and nearly forgotten grapes.

Well knock me down with a feather... I wouldn't have put much money on Melon being the first grape mentioned on this thread! How could I forget Muscadet?! Ages like a dream too .

I shall have to make some additions to my list; Muscadet, Nerello Mascalese, and of course, Bandol. God I love Bandol. And speaking of nearly forgotten grapes - Romorantin.

 

[damiano]

I tend to prefer Old World wines to New World wines

Whites: Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), Verdicchio, Albarino, Riesling, Cortese (Gavi), and Sauvignon Blanc (but not so much the fruit bombs). If something rounder/less acidic is appropriate: Chardonnay (if not over oaked or otherwise over manipulated), the Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier blends, or Arneis
Reds: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir (but I can't afford to drink the Pinots I like on even a semi-regular basis), GSM blends, Nebbiolo, Aglianico, Barbera, and Dolchetto.

Really good examples of natural wines can be great but there is also quite a bit of rather questionable natural wine out there. I do appreciate that some of the natural producers are reviving very out of fashion and nearly forgotten grapes.

Could have been written by me for the most part.. Some notable additions: Bandol yes indeed, even a red Bandol. Mourvedre. Lugana (Italy, near Veneto). Northern Spain has some nice modern wines, including the local Txakoli from the area around San Sebastian.

I have been drinking natural wine for over 15 years now.. It’s getting increasingly hard to justify continuing buying it because prices have skyrocketed.

 

[MarcelNL]

little to add, other than some typical whines from the Cote du Rhone; Vacqueyras to name just one.
Organic wine is becoming popular and hence expensive, I still enjoy the cheaper ones from La Vialla in Tuscany regularly (Torbelone -blend- and Sangiovese).

 

[Eziemniak]

Don Simón
Or Don Simón mixed with coca cola
When not available i will settle for Fino or Manzanilla
Malbec when grilling doh

1€ of pure power

 

[MarcelNL]

@KO88 I assume that pallet full of wine was your pick up order during Covid ?

 

[lumo]

Vermentino for sure, and it's wilder, freckled twin, Pigato. I've been into exploring Ligurian Pigato vs Vermentio lately as the weather warms up and vegetables and seafood are more on my mind. Sardinia was my origin of choice for Vermentino but Corsica and Liguria have some good examples as well.

Whites, mentioned above but Albarino and Txakoli generally hold a spot in my fridge, Arneis, St. Aubin, Cote d'Or, Etna Bianco, Greco di Tufo, Alto Adige, Veneto, Vernaccia di San Gimignano...

Red, Nerello Mascalese (Passopisciaro), Nero d'Avola, Cannonau, Taurasi, Ripasso, Brunello di Montalcino, Rhone (Cote Brune & Cote Blonde)....

...mmm, volcanic soil

 

[Carl Kotte]

Beige wines!

 

[big_adventure]

I'm on the side of the classics with finesse. Pinot noir and chardonnay is where the winning is.

And yes, the prices can be insane. It helps to have family members with multi thousand bottle cellars of old bourgognes and learning enough over the years to hunt down value buys at auctions. Ironically, or perhaps just unexpectedly, this is US family. Go figure.

 

[coxhaus]

I tend to look for Napa wines out of California. But really, I have not met a wine I don't like.

I am thinking we should buy some Australia wines to help them out. Let's all buy a bottle.

 

[Lars]

Saint-Emilion.

 

[KO88]

@KO88 I assume that pallet full of wine was your pick up order during Covid ?

yeah who with family did not become an alcoholic during the covid?

(it should go to Canada or New York, he s now famous around histas :-D )

 

[big_adventure]

Saint-Emilion.

Bizarrely, the name of the apellation is actualy Saint Emillion Grand Cru - the changed it as a marketing strategy quite some time ago. Grand cru generally means something, but not in the specific case of Saint Emillion Grand Cru.

 

[rmrf]

Pinot noir is my favorite but I agree with everyone above that its hard to find good ones at reasonable prices. I also find it hard to pair a good pinot with food because I end up drinking the wine and not eating anything but bread... For those special occasions, I reach for gevrey-chambertin and chambolle-musigny.

I like overbearing, fruity pinots from california (sta. rita hills, russian river when restrained, sonoma coast, montery). They are usually a good pairing with most of what I cook and some regions still have good value.

My friend lives near a wine shop that does amazing at bordeaux between 20-30 usd. Unfortunately, my local wine stores don't do as well. As it is, I only open a bordeaux for beef stew.

For steak or roasted beef, nothing compares to a youthful napa cab. I have a soft spot for the few remaining little wineries. When you find one you like, it feels like striking gold.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Savagnin from Jura. It took a little while to get used to it, but I love it now. It's what I always wished sherry tasted like.

Riesling is great with asian food. I had years of bad new world riesling until someone forced me to try german ones. I have trouble keeping them stocked.

Finally, I'm going to cheat a little and say bas armagnac. My favorite after dinner drink.

 

[coxhaus]

I like California Saintsbury it is a nice Pinot noir. Oregon is supposed to be very good but I have not had an opportunity to discovery them. It is on my list next time I go out that way. It has doubled in price since I have been buying it over the last 20 years.

I like German white Reslings. I prefer Kabinett over Auslese or Spatlese.

I had some nice ice wines up in Vancouver.

I like California Napa Quintessa wine very much but it is a little out of my price line. I have drunk several bottles and wish I could drink a lot more.

I am looking forward to trying Napa Round Pond Estate wine in the future.

 

[cotedupy]

Vermentino for sure, and it's wilder, freckled twin, Pigato. I've been into exploring Ligurian Pigato vs Vermentio lately as the weather warms up and vegetables and seafood are more on my mind. Sardinia was my origin of choice for Vermentino but Corsica and Liguria have some good examples as well.

Whites, mentioned above but Albarino and Txakoli generally hold a spot in my fridge, Arneis, St. Aubin, Cote d'Or, Etna Bianco, Greco di Tufo, Alto Adige, Veneto, Vernaccia di San Gimigiano...

Red, Nerello Mascalese (Passopisciaro), Nero d'Avola, Cannonau, Taurasi, Ripasso, Brunello di Montalcino, Rhone (Cote Brune & Cote Blonde)....

...mmm, volcanic soil

Funnily enough the company I worked for for the last five-ish years started out as a (/the only) UK Ligurian wine specialist importer. It's very interesting when you have producers, Bruna for instance, who produce a Vermentino cuvee and a Pigato cuvee vinified in the same way. Their 'Vermentino' and their 'Russeghine' Pigato are identical except for the biotype I believe.

I assume you know of Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon)? He's doing some interesting things with both Pigato and Rossese / Tibouren in the US atm. I don't think any commercial wine has been produced yet, but I imagine there will be in the future.

And yes - Vernaccia... Elisabetta Fagiouli of Montenidoli is just one of my favourite producers in the world! I adore both her, and her wines.

 

[lumo]

Bruna for instance, who produce a Vermentino cuvee and a Pigato cuvee vinified in the same way. Their 'Vermentino' and their 'Russeghine' Pigato are identical except for the biotype I believe.

I assume you know of Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon)?

And yes - Vernaccia... Elisabetta Fagiouli of Montenidoli is just one of my favourite producers in the world! I adore both her, and her wines.

I haven't had wines from Bruna. I've tried Punta Crena's Vermentino and Pigato side by side, now looking for Bisson's sampling of the two. My girlfriend digs the Massaretti pigato and it's sold up the street from me so it's usually in house.

Bonny Doon sounds familiar but I'm still new to the West Coast. I grew up on the East Coast and travelled and worked in Europe, still haven't explored American wines.

Just read a little about Elisabetta Fagiouli, amazing, she sounds brilliant...will be looking for her wine. I got lost in San Gimignano once, found an unmarked taverna and walked in. Like a movie, record scratch, music stops and everyone looks at me like who the heck is this tourist and how did he find us. I sat myself, ordered the house wine and proceeded to have the best wild boar of my life.

In a different way, I've had a serious wine maker crush on Arianna Occhipinti for years, and her wines not bad

 

[coxhaus]

Here is my drinking wine rack. I probably have 5 cases of wine in another closet. If I find a bottle that I like cheap I usually buy a case. Costco gets in some nice wines sometimes.

 

[big_adventure]

Pinot noir is my favorite but I agree with everyone above that its hard to find good ones at reasonable prices. I also find it hard to pair a good pinot with food because I end up drinking the wine and not eating anything but bread... For those special occasions, I reach for gevrey-chambertin and chambolle-musigny.

I like overbearing, fruity pinots from california (sta. rita hills, russian river when restrained, sonoma coast, montery). They are usually a good pairing with most of what I cook and some regions still have good value.

My friend lives near a wine shop that does amazing at bordeaux between 20-30 usd. Unfortunately, my local wine stores don't do as well. As it is, I only open a bordeaux for beef stew.

For steak or roasted beef, nothing compares to a youthful napa cab. I have a soft spot for the few remaining little wineries. When you find one you like, it feels like striking gold.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Savagnin from Jura. It took a little while to get used to it, but I love it now. It's what I always wished sherry tasted like.

Riesling is great with asian food. I had years of bad new world riesling until someone forced me to try german ones. I have trouble keeping them stocked.

Finally, I'm going to cheat a little and say bas armagnac. My favorite after dinner drink.

For a better deal on some great french pinots look for Meursault reds. Meursault is known for chardonnay, but they make some sneaky great reds. Another is Mercurey, which isn't Côte d'Or so you're not paying the premium that entails.

For after dinner, or anytime really where fortified spirits are on the menu, I'm firmly a Calvados man. I'll take a great Calvados over a cognac, armagnac, whatever, and they are much less expensive.

 

[LostHighway]

For after dinner, or anytime really where fortified spirits are on the menu, I'm firmly a Calvados man. I'll take a great Calvados over a cognac, armagnac, whatever, and they are much less expensive.

A tour* of small producers in Calvados has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Finding anything other than Boulard or Dupont is not easy here. My understanding is that even in Paris it isn't easy to find in most shops.
*the original plan was bicycle touring but driving is looking increasing more likely should it ever happen

 

[Twotimehojo]

For Pinot, I like Rhys and Dumol. For Chardonnay, I like Dumol, Rhys, Ramey and Hudson. For Zin, I like Rafanelli and Turley.

For Bordeaux, the list is vast, but my fav is Angelus. I just cant afford it! Value Bordeaux I like Canon La Gafferiere, Grand Mayne, Malartic La Graviere and many others.

I like Cloudy Bay for sau blanc.

I had a nice 2012 Sojourn Cab the other night. It surprised me it was so good. About $70 retail I think.

 

[RockyBasel]

Here is my drinking wine rack. I probably have 5 cases of wine in another closet. If I find a bottle that I like cheap I usually buy a case. Costco gets in some nice wines sometimes.

View attachment 129606

I would love to show my wine rack, but the place is a mess from all these knife boxes and bubble wraps - from when I want to sell some blades to make room for more blades

I love northern Rhone valley wines, but they are now very expensive

I think Rosso Di montalcino or baby brunello you can find some good deals, but you have to searxh

of course, I love Bordeaux - as I am an old world kind of guy, wined from cooler climates.

and Since Beaune, Burgundy is a 2.5 hour drive from where I live, the Pinot “variety” is growing on me. It’s fun to visit that area every now and then. In terms of white, Alsasce and white burgundy - because both areas are 2-3 hour driving distance and we get lots of those wines here

I love Barolo - but one needs patience, as with Bordeaux as well

 

[RockyBasel]

For Pinot, I like Rhys and Dumol. For Chardonnay, I like Dumol, Rhys, Ramey and Hudson. For Zin, I like Rafanelli and Turley.

For Bordeaux, the list is vast, but my fav is Angelus. I just cant afford it! Value Bordeaux I like Canon La Gafferiere, Grand Mayne, Malartic La Graviere and many others.

I like Cloudy Bay for sau blanc.

I had a nice 2012 Sojourn Cab the other night. It surprised me it was so good. About $70 retail I think.

Malartic is delicious, and the the second wine of Leoville Las cases- can be a good deal, but still on the expensive side

Angelus - it can vary a lot from vintage to vintage, I have only had one bottle, all power but that vintage had less complexity. But expensive - very much a “Parker wine” in my view

Margaux, St. Emilion, St. Julien, Pomerol, etc. create some fabulous stuff, but so expensive and needs age

 

[cstrat]

Hi everyone. I fell down the black hole of wine buying before I got into Japanese knives. I find myself budgeting between knives, wine and audio equipment! There are wines I don’t mind drinking every day such as Chiantis, Cru Beaujolais, Loire Cab Francs, Rieslings which are typically low alcohol and go great with food. Then I have special wines: Brunello, Barolo, Bordeaux, Napa Cab(not too many of these), Burgundy and Champagne which enjoy infrequently. I tend to prefer European wines. I also look for biodynamic or natural wines as I think it really makes a difference.
Favorites right now are: Vajra Freisa 2016, San Felice Chianti Classico 2016, Elena Fucci “Titolo “, Chateau Yvonne Saumur Champigny “La Folie”
Btw, varietal is an adjective and a noun. Merriam-Webster says so...

 

[agp]

I used to be a big fan of right bank Bordeaux blends and big jammy cabs, but trying to diversify now. Recently came back from a trip to Napa/Sonoma - found this new small winery called Fulcrum. The best rose I have ever had, check these guys out!

https://www.fulcrumwines.com/

 

[kidsos]

I am really liking wines from the Jura lately. Had a great Chardonnay and Trousseau just the other day

https://chenin-chenin.nl/collections/jura/products/chantemerle-2016https://chenin-chenin.nl/collections/jura/products/exception-2018