Kitchen

[sunshine45]

On 7/21/2014 winamac1 said:

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

i really like screw caps also.

[AngelPuppy1]

On 7/20/2014 winamac1 said:

On 7/20/2014 AngelPuppy1 said:

I like rieslings! I always preferred red wines but then began getting severe headaches and have had to unfortunately stop drinking them.

I used to drink white zinfandel but it began giving me horrible acid reflux. So, there went that one.

I love wine but can't drink it very much.

I do not like dry wines nor overly sweet ones. Can someone make some recommendations for me? I guess middle of the road or in between.

Thanks!

You may like a pinot grigio.

Thanks, winamac1! I never tried this wine. I appreciate your suggestion!

[winamac1]

On 7/21/2014 ennui1 said:

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.

Ennui--you, imo, spend too much time defending your inexpensive wine. You don't have to defend your choices. Stop harassing me about my choices. I have done taste tests, and I know which wine I prefer. It's as simple as that. Why do you keep telling me that is not the case and that I'd like cheap wine???? It's just bizarre.

Why do you continue to debate the fact that I prefer certain wines???? I am not debating your preferences.

[ennui1]

Ran across another wine club -- http://www2.vinesse.com/juiceconf1112b/?src=juiceconf1112b

I am not a member, so I have no idea if it's good or not. Shipping for a penny is nice, but I wonder how much shipping is for the subsequent deliveries.

[terrier3]

On 7/21/2014 winamac1 said:

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

I had a party with about 30 people in May. Many people brought wine.

A guest and I couldn't get the cork off a bottle...we couldn't even figure out how to get the wrapper off, so we asked a guy who bartends at a very upscale hotel. He UNSCREWED it!!!

We were shocked - we didn't know a lot of wine comes with screw caps now. He had to educate us!

[Foggy morning]

I bought a Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc, for about $10, that had a screw top. It's A nice wine and you wouldn't know it didn't have a cork. Puts less of a burden on cork oak trees too.

[winamac1]

On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:

On 7/21/2014 winamac1 said:

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

I had a party with about 30 people in May. Many people brought wine.

A guest and I couldn't get the cork off a bottle...we couldn't even figure out how to get the wrapper off, so we asked a guy who bartends at a very upscale hotel. He UNSCREWED it!!!

We were shocked - we didn't know a lot of wine comes with screw caps now. He had to educate us!

I like screw caps. It's easier. I wish more mid-priced wines in the range I buy had screw tops

[SaggingGal]

Excellent wines at decent prices if you live near Costco.

Cambria Pinot Noir, called the Lifesavers of Pinots, fruity, balanced, not actually all that sweet, excellent with everything and by itself. About $20 and worth it. A favorite.

Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma, not Chateau St. Michelle, which can happen easily, wine merchants tend to stock lots of Michelle which is cheaper. St. Jean is soft and buttery, no extensive finish, wonderful mouth feel and mildly oaked. Perfect for pairing with fish or chicken but even better for sipping. About $25 in the 2010 Reserve version. Worth it.

Not a Costco wine but a cheap, reliable standby Pinot is Block 9, we purchase 1-2 cases at a time. About $11-$12 per bottle. Used to be a firm $10 purchase but it got discovered and now it is higher in price. Go to Binny's or a bulk merchant for 10% off case price. Also available at a lot of smaller wine merchants now because it garners heavy repeat sales. A very light, easy going Pinot. Can drink with basically anything at all. Great for casual brunch or buffet dinners.

[HonnyBrown]

Sagging, great recommendations! Thank you!

[ennui_too]

Harvest time!

San Rafael, Calif.—An early vintage is getting started in the North Coast, where a few vintners are picking grapes this week for their sparkling and rosé wine programs.

While the 2013 vintage arrived earlier than normal, some growers see signs that 2014 will be even earlier. They’re happy to report though that grape quality is comparable to 2012 and 2013, and yields are expected to be slightly above average if not as big as in 2013.

Harvest has already begun in the Temecula Valley AVA as well as other areas of Southern California and the Central Valley.

Anthony Weytjens, the Northern California regional manager and winemaker for Atlas Vineyard Management, said picking will start this week but the big start will come next week.

Read more at: http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=136464
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