Red Wine or White Wine?

Tituscrow · #1 09-09-2011, 01:47 PM

After hitting forty a while back, I finally accepted that my days of downing ale have gone. Too gassy, don't like the headaches and the taste just doesn't do it for me anymore.

I was always a bit of a wine drinker anyway, but in recent years have enjoyed tasting wines from all over the world. But white just doesn't seem to be as decadently enjoyable as red.

I particularly enjoy Chilean Shiraz (Casillero del Diablo).

Any wine drinkers out there got any recommendations?

Selta · #2 09-09-2011, 01:50 PM

Depends on what I'm having with my wine that guides me towards what wine to have. Overall though, I like Syrahs.

bassteban · #3 09-09-2011, 01:51 PM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search...archid=8678540
I like a cheap ass merlot/shiraz/whatever- just grabbed two bottles of Templestowe shiraz for DIRT at the local lowlife grocery outlet. Mind you it's for the Queen B- I'm in a beer phase ATM.

SoonerMatt · #4 09-09-2011, 01:52 PM

I picked up a bottle of 2009 Domaine de la Solitude Cotes-du-Rhone last week and have really enjoyed it. It's a very good French red that won't break your wallet.

I'm also fortunate that there's an amazing local vineyard that's only about 45 minutes away from me. If you find anything from Chaumette vineyards definitely give it a try. I have their 2009 dry Chardonel and it definitely deserves all the gold medals it's won in Missouri.

macaroni tony · #5 09-09-2011, 01:53 PM

Cabernet Sauvignon.

I've had two before that were just excellent, and I didn't write down the names of either. A really good Cabernet is hard to beat, IMO. That's my choice

pedroims · #6 09-09-2011, 01:55 PM

Both, depending on what you pairing them with, as advice, the tannin on red wine give me a really bad headache.

Red: Casillero del Diablo, Concha del Toro

White: Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita, Schiopetto Blanc des Rosis

Funky Ghost · #7 09-09-2011, 02:01 PM

A couple worth giving a try are the Canadian ice wines .. they are amazing. I really like the Vidal but I've had several that didn't disappoint. They can get pretty pricey but 30 ish is pretty average.

I'm with you on the whites but I've found a white I've grown very fond of. It's Beringers White Merlot.

MJ5150 · #8 09-09-2011, 02:02 PM

GREAT thread. I came to the same realization a few months ago. I'm still learning myself what is what, and tasting here and there along the way.

A good friend who seems very well versed in all things wine tells me the goal is to get excellent wines at affordable prices. He said anyone can spend $200 or more on a good bottle of wine, but the trick is to find that good bottle of wine for $20 or less. Any of you guys subscribe to that idea too?

So far, I seem to like white wine more. I tried something from a joint called Gnarly Head, it was really good. With a cool name like that, it is now my favorite.

-Mike

Selta · #9 09-09-2011, 02:04 PM

Mike - you should check out some of the local vineyards. Tenor is really good stuff ($60 a bottle, though), and there's a couple more as well. Next time we chat I'll get you some names and recommendations. I try to keep it as cheap as possible while still enjoying it... $20 a bottle is an ideal target.

SoonerMatt · #10 09-09-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

GREAT thread. I came to the same realization a few months ago. I'm still learning myself what is what, and tasting here and there along the way.

A good friend who seems very well versed in all things wine tells me the goal is to get excellent wines at affordable prices. He said anyone can spend $200 or more on a good bottle of wine, but the trick is to find that good box of wine for $20 or less. Any of you guys subscribe to that idea too?

So far, I seem to like white wine more. I tried something from a joint called Gnarly Head, it was really good. With a cool name like that, it is now my favorite.

-Mike

Fixed.

A specialty wine shop opened up in Cape about a year and a half ago and offers free wine tastings twice a week. I've been going to those and it has definitely helped me identifying good wines and what I personally like in them. I definitely recommend hopping on a tasting club if at all possible.

And definitely a +1 to the vineyard suggestion. West coast is seriously best coast for US wines. Lucky

Sam Hain · #11 09-09-2011, 02:05 PM

I prefer Reds... my choices on that same pricepoint are:

Alamos Malbec-Only 11.99 at my cork store.
Rodney Strong Estate "07-Dont confuse this for the $60 bottle of Rodney
Stags Leap Artemis Cab "07

MJ5150 · #12 09-09-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

Fixed.

Whoa now. This buddy of mine said to never drink wine from a box. Or do you mean a box of four bottles?

-Mike

Pauler1976 · #13 09-09-2011, 02:14 PM

Since different regions (Canada vs USA, State vs State, etc) can have drastic variations in terms of available growers, brand name, price and whathaveyou, I recommend buying on the grape instead.

Check the classic grapes and their characteristics at the Wine Doctor link below.

Red Wine Grapes: wine advice from The Winedoctor

Love me some red..

Phalex · #14 09-09-2011, 02:18 PM

I'm a fan of Shiraz (Or any red really) myself, though being over 40, I find that the acidity messes with me, and I tend to drink more beer.....

I really like Australian Shiraz wine. Penfolds Koonunga Hill, is a favorite of mine. A big plus is that it's $10.00 or $12.00 a bottle. I think the Aussies made a big effort to increase their wine production a few years back and way over shot the mark. The result is tasty wine on the cheap!

I'm also a big fan of Chianti.

A bottle of Late Vintage Port and a block of moldy smelling cheese is My idea of a good way to spend a winter's evening in front of the fire place.

Duke21 · #15 09-09-2011, 02:18 PM

Wine from south America contains more sulfides which is more the reason for headaches than the tannins.
Btw the Casilero Del Diablo is not a Shiraz, but Cabernet Sauvignon.
If it was me turning 40 I'll go for a Italian wine as the Amarone which for me is the king of wines.
Other superb wines from italy are the Barolo and Barbaresco from Piemonte, the Brunello and the Chianti from Tuscany, the Nero D'avola from Sicilia and the Primitivo Di Manduria from Puglia.
Otherwise there are some very nice Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from Napa Vally, USA.
Otherwise a fine Australian Shiraz is always a killer, and there are lots of them.

EricF · #16 09-09-2011, 02:19 PM

Red: The bigger and bolder the better. I got burned out on Cabs and tend towards Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir, or Zin. For $10 or less, I find Bogle Zin to be a very acceptable everyday red when I'm on a budget. I also have a huge fondness for Central Coast (Calif) Syrahs and Pinots. There's some really outstanding stuff being produced these days.

White: I have yet to be dissapointed by any Sauv Blanc from New Zealand. They tend to be citrusy and maybe slightly grassy, but always very enjoyable. My consistant favorite year after year is Kim Crawford ($15-ish), but anything from the Marlborough region is a decent choice. I will drink a Chard, if there aren't a lot of other choices, but the over-oaked buttery flavors that typically dominate the style have turned me off. Once in a while I have found some very enjoyable un-oaked Chards where the flavors of the fruit shine through nicely.

Phendyr_Loon · #17 09-09-2011, 02:25 PM

Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Im definately a fan of red wine. And if over consumed it will give me a headache, when will I ever learn.

BTW, Casillero del Diablo translates to "Locker of the Devil". If that name doesn't imply a beverage inducing headache, I don't know what does.

aborgman · #18 09-09-2011, 02:26 PM

I'm the opposite on the headcahes - I can drink beer with no issue, but too much wine kills my brain.

That being said - I generally prefer bold reds (Syrah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir) but I'm generally a fan of all the Oregon/Washingon Pinot products - both red and white.

Skitch it! · #19 09-09-2011, 02:29 PM

Cold white wine in summertime, reds in autumn/winter. Usually something from the Gallo Family Turning Leaf selections and a couple of bottles of a friends own home made elderberry/elder-flower which is v.good.

Tituscrow · #20 09-09-2011, 02:36 PM

Some great suggestions here. Thanks.

Penfolds do a killer Koonunga Hill red too, but I dont see it around so much.

Two further things...

1) how important is the glass? Pretentious as it sounds, and I'm sure it's purely psychological, but good wine seems wasted in cheap glasses or tumblers. Any science behind the difference in taste?

2) I'm glad many others share my new found interest. Thought I was going to have to hand in my man-card. Or does that come when you start drinking rosé?