A brief course in oenology, anyone?

[BurtWorm]

I cannot offer one; I am asking for one, so I can make a more intelligent choice when going into the wine store, rather than randomly selecting a bottle based on how purdy the label is (relative to its price).

What are the differences among the reds, for example? Why is Paul Giamatti's character in Sideways such a snob against Merlot? What makes Merlot different from a Cabernet, or a Zinfandel or a Pinto Noir? Are they different grapes? Are some blends and others not? Is French really better than any other generally? Would you trust a wine from South Africa or Peru? Or Virginia, for that matter, or Rhode Island?

What are you looking for in a wine? What wines in the $8 to $20 range can you recommend. I'm mainly interested in reds, but feel free to educate me on any aspect at all of oenology that you feel expert in. Thanks!

[Droopy]

1. I'm an expert at drinking wine

However, that is where my expertise on the matter ends. :)

[northzax]

2. your best bet

go find a book called the Wine Bible. It's about twenty bucks and is a great reference.

And giamatti's character is just a snob, that's all.

[rug]

3. Any subject that requires a dipthong is effete.

[BurtWorm]

4. And use of the word "dipthong" is not effete?

:crazy:

[crispini]

5. A good wine is the one you like.

And that goes with what you're eating.

This link:
http://wine.about.com/od/redwines/a/redwinebasics.htm

might give you some ideas about the various kinds of reds. Me, I am a fan of the big fat red, so I like Zin and Cab. But if pairing with food, I might go for something lighter, depending on what it is.

I would spend some time just chatting with the guy in the wine store, since they know what you have available. Try something, and if you like it, write it down and remember it. Or go to a sponsored tasting, or some such.

Wine is fun! Just spend some time trying different wines and you'll get to know them like you might get to know your neighbors. :D

[BurtWorm]

6. Ones that were recently recommended to me that actually were good:

Francis Coppola Claret

Avalon Cabernet

Cannonball Cabernet



:thumbsup:

Thanks for the link!

[Fleshdancer]

7. Here's a good place to start:

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Wine_Basics/Wine_Basics_Template/0,,1004,00.html

Varietal Characteristics
By James Laube, with James Molesworth

In order to appreciate wine, it's essential to understand the characteristics different grapes offer and how those characteristics should be expressed in wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel are all red grapes, but as wines their personalities are quite different. Even when grown in different appellations and vinified using different techniques, a varietal wine always displays certain qualities, which are inherent in the grape's personality. Muscat should always be spicy, Sauvignon Blanc a touch herbal. Zinfandel is zesty, with pepper and wild berry flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon is marked by plum, currant and black cherry flavors and firm tannins. Understanding what a grape should be as a wine is fundamental, and knowing what a grape can achieve at its greatest is the essence of fine-wine appreciation.

In Europe, the finest wines are known primarily by geographic appellation (although this is changing; witness the occasional French and Italian varietals). Elsewhere, however—as in America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand—most wines are labeled by their varietal names; even, sometimes, by grape combinations (Cabernet-Shiraz, for example). To a large extent, this is because in the United States, the process of sorting out which grapes grow best in which appellations is ongoing and Americans were first introduced to fine wine by varietal name. In Europe, with a longer history for matching grape types to soil and climate, the research is more conclusive: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, for instance, are the major grapes of Burgundy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot are the red grapes of Bordeaux. Syrah dominates northern Rhône reds. Barolo and Barbaresco are both made of Nebbiolo, but the different appellations produce different styles of wine. In Tuscany, Sangiovese provides the backbone of Chianti. A different clone of Sangiovese is used for Brunello di Montalcino.

[BurtWorm]

8. Thank you.

That's just the kind of info I was looking for.

:toast: <== imagine wineglasses

[Fleshdancer]

9. lol, we do need a wine toast emoticon n/t

[Auggie]

10. I suggest a book called "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course"

by Kevin Zraly. VERY user friendly and easy-to-read.

Yes, all those varieties of wine you mention are made from different grapes. All those varieties of wine can have small percentages of other grapes in them to impart a rounder or deeper flavor. Vineyard location and viticultural practices play a major part in determining wine quality, but so does the skill of the winemaker and their approach/philosophy towards making wine. Some make wines to go with food. Others make wines as simple quaffs. Still others approach it like an art form, pushing the envelope by producing wines with higher levels of alcohol, oak, and fruit in hopes of achieving high wine scores (and supporting a high price point).

For wines in the $8 to $20 price range, location is not as much an issue for you. All the regions you mention are capable of producing good wine.

Giamatti's character in Sideways makes that statement because he considers Merlot to be a commodity-type wine favored by novices who drink it for the fashion. Merlot and Chardonnay are the two highest selling varieties in the U.S.

Take it from a Winebrat.

[yewberry]

11. First: wine is a beverage and not a religion.

Don't bother with the hype and hoopla, because unless you're trying to impress someone, you'll drink what you enjoy.

Yup, you're right, different wines come from different grapes. Merlot, Cab, Zin, Pinot Noir are all varietals made from specific grapes. Some grapes grow really well in particular regions and that's why some areas are famous for a type of wine, like Cab from California or nebbiolos from Piedmont. Soil, climate, sun exposure, and methods of wine-making affect the flavor of the grapes and that's part of the reason some years (vintages) are better or worse than others.

Some wines are made from blends of grapes. Sometimes these are lower-priced table wines, sometimes they are high-quality (and high-priced) wines, like Supertuscans. The reason (I think) that wine becomes very confusing for people is that different regions have different standards for wines. For instance, here in WA, wines named after a particular grape (like a merlot) must be a minimum of 75% of that grape; in OR it's 90%, and in Alsace, it's 100%. To make matters stranger, Italy has a completely different system.

I'd absolutely trust wines from less-famous regions; that's where some of the best buys are. Some French wines are great, some not so much. It's the same everywhere.

[NV Whino]

12. Go to Trader Joes and ask for some advice

They have great wines from $3.00 to $10.00. Don't hesitate to try Chilean, Autralian or Argentine wines, especially reds. South Africa is better for whites, particularly Sauvignon Blanc.

Cabernet: big, full-bodied wine
Merlot: lighter wine similar to cab, sometimes known as the poor man's cab
Zinfandel: lighter yet
Pinot Noir: light, fruity and sometimes has an "old socks" smell to it (not my cup of tea... or wine)
Syrah (Shiraz in Aussie talk): deep red, complex, take the enamel off your teeth sort of wine. (love it. my current favorite)
Petite Syrah: similar to above

In the US, the best wine areas are Napa Valley, Sonoma, Mendocino, Washington State and Oregon. The eastern states (such as VA or NY) don't have a long enough growing season to do the grapes justice. Same with Colorado. Southern or South-western states get too hot. So Cal is generally too hot. Central Coast of CA is producing good wine (Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande).