TB'er in Wine Enthusiast?

Eric Rene Roy · #1 12-01-2008, 07:46 AM

Just going through old issues before I recycle them, and this caught my eye. From one of those "society" pages. February 2005 issue.

Anyone here?

EggyToast · #2 12-01-2008, 06:48 PM

Not me, but I too play double bass and would call myself a wine enthusiast ;D

Eric Rene Roy · #3 12-01-2008, 07:13 PM

Cool, what have you been into lately?

For me I have been exploring Portuguese wines. VERY good value. I like finding wines under $20 that really deliver...and lately that has been some great Duro's.

Although thumbing through these old wine magazines I read some Rancho Zabaco reviews that were decent enough...and looking for a white tonight I strayed from my normal Sancerre hunt and grabbed a 2005 Dancing Bull Chardonnay. OK for $10, but I shoulda bought the Sancerre for $15.

EggyToast · #4 12-02-2008, 07:30 AM

My wife and I are generally into varietals that are pretty fruit-forward, low-tanin, and pair well with most foods or cheeses, such as grenaches/granacha. There's a couple good ones from spain, although we discovered that 2006 was a bad year overall for grenache -- every wine that we tried from that year just tasted cheap (acidic in all aspects, low flavor). 2005 was great and we were happy to discover that 2007 was much better.

Beyond the standby grenache, we've been exploring some wines of south africa, and found some very good Pinotage wines as well as an occasional pinot noir. 2006 vintages are much better in the southern hemisphere, apparently, as we've only had a few duds.

We try to balance our enthusiasm by not straying much above the $15 mark, and have found some excellent bottles at the $9 and $10 area (which is good for Maryland, as wine is a few bucks more expensive here than some other states (but cheaper than others, like CA)). We recently found that a south american vineyard by the name of Cono Sur had a really good 2007, as their Pinot Noir and Carmenere have been very good as an everyday wine.

And speaking of south america, we've recently gotten back into Malbec, since the weather's gotten colder. We had gotten sick of it about a year ago, after having a couple crappy bottles, but we've been exploring new bottlers/vineyards and have had some good luck with what we've found on the shelves.

larry · #5 12-02-2008, 08:39 AM

Not me, but I did once play a gig at a wine shop where I bartered for a bunch of wine instead of cash.

EggyToast · #6 12-02-2008, 11:24 AM

Hey, with the recession we're in now, that sounds like a good way to get paid! ;D

wineaux · #7 12-06-2008, 04:32 PM

I've been focusing my purchases lately on Malbec from Argentina, Carmenere from Chile and just about any red from Spain. But just as often, these days, I reach for something I've made. I've been making wine for almost 10 years and I'm starting to get the hang of it. I've won medals in Maryland over the last two years for Cabernet Sauvignon (including a best of show), a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Grigio. My current favorite is a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes from the Russian River Valley in California, but as soon as I bottle my 2007 Napa Cab I think I'll have a new favorite.

Eric Rene Roy · #8 12-06-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wineaux

...as soon as I bottle my 2007 Napa Cab I think I'll have a new favorite.

Do you have a mailing list?

Paul Warburton · #9 12-06-2008, 05:52 PM

Up until about five months ago, I was heavy into Mad Dog 20/20. Once in a while, when I was in the mood for something a bit lighter, I would settle for some Thunderbird.
Both enjoyed, of course, right from the bottle.

Eric Rene Roy · #10 12-06-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wineaux

...and just about any red from Spain.

Just bought a2005 Vinos de Arganza Mencía Bierzo Flavium Crianza. About to pop and pour...

milomo · #11 12-06-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eroy

Just going through old issues before I recycle them, and this caught my eye. From one of those "society" pages. February 2005 issue.

Anyone here?

The bass player is Dave Richards, and the guy with half his head missing is pianist Matt King, I actually have a gig with him Wednesday. The tenor player, she I don't know.

wineaux · #12 12-10-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eroy

Do you have a mailing list?

Well, that would be illegal for a poor little "ammacher" like me. But one of these days I do want to visit your shop so maybe I ca bring along some "samples."

Meanwhile, since Eggy is close by and seems to have fun taste in wine, we might have to get together for little tasting.

And maybe I'll learn a thing or two about bass playing as well!