In addition, aging wine in oak barrels actually adds "tannins" to the wine, making it feel thicker & heavier in your mouth. An expensive California Chardonnay (same grape as the Macon Villages) aged in oak has the consistency of a loogi (when you cough up phlegm). Pretty gross, huh?

You've been PWN3D!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593919)

you madame, have been pwned.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2594036)

The biggest divide in flavor that you'll find is between the "Old" and "New" World wines. The "Old" World wines are from Europe and tend to be a little more complex and severe, and the "New" World wines are from America and Australia and tend to be somewhat richer and simpler.

I would probably buy something like "Red Bicyclette" if they have that - it's cheap but not bad. Wines from South America also tend to be good value for under $10.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593830)

God I really want a glass on wine btween this thread, that dinner thread and the fact I haven't had one since that last Hemingway tasting.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593828)

A good Prosecco is "Zardetto", maybe $10.

Another fun wine is "Moscato d'Asti" which is sparkly and kinda sweet. It only has 5% alcohol. Sure, maybe not for every day (unless you drive a pink Beetle or something), but it's fun stuff. Good with a hangover, for instance.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593847)

Cheers.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593885)

It was developed especially to grow in South Africa's climate. It's a cross of Pinot Noir & Syrah/Shiraz. Back when the plant breeders or whoever did the crossbreeding, Syrah was called "Hermitage" because it's grown on this famous hill called Hermitage in the Rhone valley (S. France). So Pinot+Hermitage = Pinot-age.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2593941)

But I'm not really an expert anyway, just a harvard douchebag.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2594023)

I'm somewhat poor myself right now, since I'll be starting law school - with the attendant loans - in the fall. Still, I try to have a couple of decent wines like the ones you mention every month. My most recent "quality" wines have been Rieussec (thankfully, 1/2 bottles are 1/2 the price! and Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone.

If you're just douching around, you might enjoy this site: http://www.thewinedoctor.com/ which consists of a doctor's personal musings on wine. The notes and explanations are pretty extensive. It's one of the best on the web and is recommended by Parker, etc.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2595151)

and, yes, I had to look that up before I spelled it out.

Edit: more to the point, it's France's system of classifying certain wine regions (or I guess the highest level of the classification) - they impose restrictions on yield, viticulture methods, grapes planted, etc. I was just saying that Hermitage is actually an AOC wine-producing region, not just a hill.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2594032)

HTH.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2594042)

PS if anyone knows of something that will get maple syrup off of drapes that would be helpful

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2595264)

For anyone interested in getting a glimpse into the actual effects of the pornography business on peoples' lives, I highly recommend the Swedish film "ETT HÅL I MITT HJÄRTA" (A HOLE IN MY HEART), directed by Lukas Moodysson, who also did another great film about the industry, "Lilya 4 Ever".

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2597018)

Israel

Russia

Mexico

England

Denmark

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2597047)

For a wine comparable to a top French wine, try the Yarden Katzrin. There are also a few very good small producers in the Judean Hills region. Check out the Domaine du Castel Grand Vin.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2597379)

Russia - you would need a more "expert" person to tell you this. There are supposed to be some great sweet wines made in the Ukraine, but in general the quality of Russian & Soviet successor-state winemaking is TTT and aims for massive production of insipid stuff. However, this is beginning to improve as outside investment enters, and local winemakers travel abroad to study the latest techniques.

Mexico - again, I don't know. They're growing some good Petit Sirah, but the general verdict that I've heard is that it's simply too hot to produce "truly great" wines. Still, they should make some good $10-20 wines.

England - the best is Nyetimber, a sparkling wine. It has won some rave reviews in blind tastings, and the Brits are going to be serving it *instead* of "real" French Champagne when they hold the EU presidency this year. We'll see what happens.

Denmark - I don't know either. I did read that global warming should, if it progresses as expected, turn DK into a sWeeT winegrowing spot. But as far as I know, not yet.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2599609)

-What's the best red wine from Oregon? Seems like Oregon growers have been getting better at their craft, and prices are going up.

-What's the best wine you know of from a non-traditional state for wine production? Or from a very non-traditional country?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2600211)

Best Wine from a Non-traditional State: Honestly, I've had some wines from VA. and MD. and they were almost TTT. Not quite, but close. For this category, I'd have to go back to the "Chateau Musar" from Lebanon which I mentioned a little earlier in this thread. A predominantly Muslim country in the middle of Syrian-Israeli conflict, and there's this winery right there. Pretty wacky.

Another wine from a somewhat obscure country is Tokaji, or Tokay. It's not well-known nowadays, but it was the coolest stuff available in the 1600's, when aristocrats like the king of Sweden would drink NOTHING ELSE! It's produced in Hungary and is expensive ($25-500, depending on quality level)and sweet.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2603300)

If you're simply interested in an inexpensive wine, I think that the Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon (aka "2 Buck Chuck") which Trader Joe's sells for $2.99 is a good bet. It is made from excess grapes that couldn't be used by other wineries in CA. and compares favorably to $6-10 Cabs like "Clos du Bois" and "Lindeman's". Certainly not brilliant, but it tastes like it cost $10. Not bad for $3.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2599636)

Name 1 wine for under $30 that is nearly yummy as Ch. Latour

Name Best bordeaux for under $50 that does not taste hell a young oh and if you could name one for under $30 that would be cool. I guess nearly the same question as #2

(

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2600130)

I have never had Latour. (What kind of an expert am I?!) But seriously, I decided at some point to set $50/btl. as a kind of price limit until I was finished with school. Really good wine is fairly addictive. Since I'm an 0L right now, I probably will stick to this until graduation. Of course, I pop over $50 now and then, but not up to $130 or so that you'd have to spend for a bargain Latour.

Best Bordeaux under $50 that doesn't taste too young:

You can avoid the "too young" harshness (and save some serious $$$) by buying Bordeaux from *good* but not *GREAT* vintages to drink right away. So skip the 2000's and go for 1998's, 1999's, 2001 & 2002's. There are many wines like this. Some of my favorites:

Poujeaux (Moulis-en-Medoc cru bourgeois) $18-24/btl

Vieille Cure (Fronsac) $20-25/btl

Gloria (St. Julien cru bourgeois) $24-28/btl

Branaire-Ducru (St. Julien 4th growth) $27-33/btl

Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien 2nd growth) $28-33/btl

Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac 5th growth) $28-35/btl

Sociando Mallet (Haut Medoc cru bourgeois) $27-35/btl

Malescot St. Exupery (Margaux 3rd growth) $30-40/btl

Pichon Baron (Pauillac 2nd growth) $35-45/btl

Among these, if your taste leans to the supple richness of the Super Tuscans, I would especially recommend Leoville Poyferre, Sociando Mallet and Pichon Baron.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2600682)

Again, if you're aiming for convenience, I'd go for a Port, since they're usually the highest in alcohol - 19-20%.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2603334)

FYI, in Germany they tend to be sweeter; in Alsace drier.

Anyway, a couple of recommendations:

Alsatians - Barmes-Buecher "Hengst", Domaine Weinbach "Schlossberg" and "Theo". If you want to blow some money, Weinbach's "Cuvee Ste. Catherine L'Inedit!" is harvested late in November and is amazing. Since its picked so late, the wine is sweetish but very agile - more like a German Riesling.

Germans - Pauly Bergweiler (all the wines have a recognizable yellow label) "Wehlener Sonnenuhr", J.J. Prum "Wehlener Sonnenuhr", Dr. Thanisch "Bernkasteler Lay", Geheimrat Basserman-Jordan ""Deidesheimer Kieselberg".

The main thing with the Germans is to buy wine made by a good producer. As you can see, some of the vineyards are repeated, like "Wehlener Sonnenuhr". This is b/c it's one of the finest in Germany, and several producers own a part of it.

In addition to the vineyard, the Germans designate the ripeness of the grapes on their labels (they're organizationally obsessed). So if you see two wines that look the same - same producer, same vineyard, same year - then the more expensive one will inevitably be made from riper, better grapes. It will also be sweeter.

Sweetness:

Kabinett<Spätlese<Auslese<Beerenauslese<Trockenbeerenauslese

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2603538)

Also, do you know anything about Paso Robles wines?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2604406)

The "Clone 6" refers to the fact that the wine is made from grapes grown from a single clone of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine grapevines are always clones - that is, they're reproduced by taking cuttings and grafting them on to the roots of a hardier plant of the same family. This is the standard way of multiplying most fruit plants, though there are others. So they are all clones.

Now, how we get to clone "#6" is a little more interesting. As plants grow, sometimes they naturally mutate, for better or worse. In fruit plants, these mutations often occur only on a single branch. For instance, red Anjou pears come from such a mutation. For hundreds of years we had the standard green Anjou pear, and then there was a mutation - a branch appeared on one of the Anjou trees with red pears on it, while the rest of the tree kept merrily cranking out green ones. Since a red Anjou pear was a pretty novel thing, someone took a cutting from the "special" branch, and grafted it to another tree or rootstock. And after that was done many times, large-scale production of the red Anjou pears got under way. So likewise, the "Clone #6" is a unique mutation of Cabernet Sauvignon with characteristics that the winemaker must find particularly attractive. Maybe it has a thicker skin, which will produce a denser, longer-aging wine. Or maybe it ripens faster, or is less suceptible to drought, or maybe all of these things.

Paso Robles - I do know a guy who owns a vineyard there (I don't know him well), but that's about it.

Enjoy your wine!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=168309&forum_id=2#2607628)