Kitchen

[HonnyBrown]

On 7/18/2014 winamac1 said:

On 7/18/2014 ennui1 said:

Did you know that in blind taste tests, people generally prefer inexpensive wines? Maybe you just need to stop looking at the price tag and worrying about whether it's 'high end.'

oh puhhhhleeeze ennui. I simply can't drink "cheap wine". I don't think $22 a bottle is "high-end" anyway. To me, "high end" is more like $80 on up which I won't do. The "higher-end" KJ simply tastes better to me, and my taste test is the only one that matters.

Who stated they "simply look at the price tag" anyway???

This!!!! Yes!

[IamMrsG]

My DH and I are decades-long-time oenophiles who have taken classes for, vacationed for, and volunteered for many years to work with an internationally award winning vintner-friend in the production and bottling of fine wines, still and sparkling. So I hope you will pardon my saying that I have found this thread to be filled with silly reference to price.

Price should be the absolute last concern when choosing wine. In most cases, the only difference between one vintner’s price and another’s is their overhead, i.e., staff, rent, losses, etc. and is in no way indicative of the quality of their product. To dismiss a wine because of its low price is to miss a possible enjoyable opportunity. And, if you don’t like it, what have you lost? We know of several highly acceptable wines that sell for less than $10 and, with proper handling, would be comfortable serving them to anyone. Conversely, I could also name a line of $100+ wines we won’t give cellar space.

Please, if you are new to wine, do not let this thread dissuade you from trying a 'cheap' wine. Anyone who truly knows and loves wine will tell you there are very many perfectly good inexpensive wines available.

The only wine I have found that I cannot swallow--at any price--is retsina. (Sorry, AdoreQVC. )

Edited to correct a grammatical error, because it matters to me.

[HonnyBrown]

MrsG, outstanding points!

What are your thoughts on screw caps?

[IamMrsG]

On 7/20/2014 HonnyBrown said:

MrsG, outstanding points!

What are your thoughts on screw caps?

In general, screw caps are better than either cork or synthetic materials, especially for wines that are not meant for cellaring. Quite some time ago a fungus hit the cork business, and wine producers began searching for other ways to seal their bottles. Very few of today's producers are using 100% cork as bottle closure, using instead a less expensive synthetic or synthetic-blend cork. Screw caps are even less expensive and have been found more efficient than even synthetic corks at preventing oxidation or TCA. If you have ever had a 'corked' wine, you understand why, as the masses become more accustomed and accepting of them, screw caps will become more widely used. That said, there are few sounds quite as pleasing (to me) as that "pop!" from releasing a cork from its bottle.

BTW, besides alternative sealants, wine producers are presently looking for material other than glass for packaging.

[winamac1]

On 7/20/2014 IamMrsG said:

My DH and I are decades-long-time oenophiles who have taken classes for, vacationed for, and volunteered for many years to work with an internationally award winning vintner-friend in the production and bottling of fine wines, still and sparkling. So I hope you will pardon my saying that I have found this thread to be filled with silly reference to price.

Price should be the absolute last concern when choosing wine. In most cases, the only difference between one vintner’s price and another’s is their overhead, i.e., staff, rent, losses, etc. and is in no way indicative of the quality of their product. To dismiss a wine because of its low price is to miss a possible enjoyable opportunity. And, if you don’t like it, what have you lost? We know of several highly acceptable wines that sell for less than $10 and, with proper handling, would be comfortable serving them to anyone. Conversely, I could also name a line of $100+ wines we won’t give cellar space.

Please, if you are new to wine, do not let this thread dissuade you from trying a 'cheap' wine. Anyone who truly knows and loves wine will tell you there are very many perfectly good inexpensive wines available.

The only wine I have found that I cannot swallow--at any price--is retsina. (Sorry, AdoreQVC. )

Edited to correct a grammatical error, because it matters to me.

How is this thread dissuading others from trying a "cheap" wine? These threads are for opinions. It's all about what YOU like. Many like cheap wines. My dh could not care less and likes a $3 to $5 per bottle wine. I don't. It is as simple as that. I actually like most mid-priced wines more than high-priced wines, and I stated that above. I have had $20 wine which I like a great deal and $80 wine which I don't. I typically don't spend more than $20 or so on a bottle of wine, and usually it's about $12 to $13. That's what I prefer. I don't find $12 per bottle of wine "expensive". It's considered mid priced and imo..it's very drinkable.

I think if some like $5 per bottle of wine, and they have found a few they love...go for it. If you like it...that truly is all that matters.

[HonnyBrown]

On 7/20/2014 IamMrsG said:

On 7/20/2014 HonnyBrown said:

MrsG, outstanding points!

What are your thoughts on screw caps?

In general, screw caps are better than either cork or synthetic materials, especially for wines that are not meant for cellaring. Quite some time ago a fungus hit the cork business, and wine producers began searching for other ways to seal their bottles. Very few of today's producers are using 100% cork as bottle closure, using instead a less expensive synthetic or synthetic-blend cork. Screw caps are even less expensive and have been found more efficient than even synthetic corks at preventing oxidation or TCA. If you have ever had a 'corked' wine, you understand why, as the masses become more accustomed and accepting of them, screw caps will become more widely used. That said, there are few sounds quite as pleasing (to me) as that "pop!" from releasing a cork from its bottle.

BTW, besides alternative sealants, wine producers are presently looking for material other than glass for packaging.

It makes sense, but if I'm going to buy a wine with a screw cap, it's going to be a cheap wine. I like Sutter Home Chenin Blanc at $4.99 a bottle.

When I look for a new chenin blanc at Total Wines, they try to push a $20 bottle with a screw cap. I decline and tell them why.

I won't even think about boxed wines!

[winamac1]

They are starting to put screw caps on a lot of mid-priced wines of $13 to $15. I like screw caps.

[IamMrsG]

As I type this, I am enjoying a glass of Dornfelder, a beautiful dark red German wine that references cherries and blackberries. We did not decant this bottle, and I wish we had, as I am sure it would have bloomed (opened up) nicely. Even so, the tannins are soft and smooth. I would prefer a longer finish, but that is my own quirk.

This estate bottled wine (our preference) was a young vintage when we first tried it, and, not knowing what to expect from cellaring, we only purchased a half case. Lesson learned, we will be returning to the winery before long for more.

If you like red wines, I encourage you to look for a Dornfelder.

[ennui1]

On 7/20/2014 IamMrsG said:

On 7/20/2014 HonnyBrown said:

MrsG, outstanding points!

What are your thoughts on screw caps?

In general, screw caps are better than either cork or synthetic materials, especially for wines that are not meant for cellaring. Quite some time ago a fungus hit the cork business, and wine producers began searching for other ways to seal their bottles. Very few of today's producers are using 100% cork as bottle closure,

Oh! I recently read that there's a huge return to cork.

winamac, imho, you spend too much time talking about price tags. Unless you show the receipts to your guests, or leave the price sticker on the bottle, no one will know the difference. And I hear you screaming "But I'll know the difference!", and that's why I advise to quit looking at the tags.

Sigh.

Beringer makes a very nice inexpensive chardonnay. Their "cheap" cabernet is nice, too.

[IamMrsG]

On 7/21/2014 ennui1 said: Oh! I recently read that there's a huge return to cork.

winamac, imho, you spend too much time talking about price tags. Unless you show the receipts to your guests, or leave the price sticker on the bottle, no one will know the difference. And I hear you screaming "But I'll know the difference!", and that's why I advise to quit looking at the tags.

Sigh.

Beringer makes a very nice inexpensive chardonnay. Their "cheap" cabernet is nice, too.

Ennui, that is interesting information that I have not heard. Did your reading material expound why?

I wholeheartedly agree with your comment to Winamac, but will not debate it. I do think, though, that if she--and just about anyone else--were served a glass from a properly stored, chilled and/or decanted bottle she'd not be able to discern the price.