Ping: Any of you who know Wine

Coffee Warlord · 01-14-2006, 09:17 AM

Friend of mine's housewarming/birthday party tonight. Said friend is a big wine guy, so I was gonna pick him up a bottle.

Now. I know my beer. I don't know shit about wine. So...suggestions of a good bottle of red? Prolly looking in the $20-40 range on price.

cartman · 01-14-2006, 09:21 AM

In that price range, if you want to get something that is really good, that probably no one else will get him, look for a bottle of Amarone. It is an Italian red. One of the wineries to look for is Masi.

WSUCougar · 01-14-2006, 09:40 AM

That's out of my typical price range so I'm not a good source, but my suggestion would be to go to a wine store and tell the guy exactly what you posted. People that run wine stores love to help people in your circumstance - they are passionate about wine and will surely have some goodies to offer you.

JeeberD · 01-14-2006, 09:45 AM

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico is one of my absolute favorites and should run in the $25-30 range. cartman's choice of an Amarone is good, but those are usually on the pricier side...

MrBigglesworth · 01-14-2006, 09:55 AM

I like giving Fat Bastard (hxxp://www.fatbastardwine.com) as gifts, because it makes me giggle when I say it. You're probably looking for something more refined though...

terpkristin · 01-14-2006, 09:59 AM

Actually, Fat Bastard wines are pretty darn good for their relatively inexpensive price.

My mom and I agree that they're pretty good, and she's a bona fide connesseuir of wine.

CW, do you know what TYPES of wine your friend prefers?

/tk

st.cronin · 01-14-2006, 10:02 AM

No matter what you pick out, somebody will think it a gauche choice.

MrBigglesworth · 01-14-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Actually, Fat Bastard wines are pretty darn good for their relatively inexpensive price.

My mom and I agree that they're pretty good, and she's a bona fide connesseuir of wine.

Agreed, you can get a big bottle around here for $20, and shiraz especially is great. It hits the trifecta of good gift qualities: funny, cheap, and tasty!

If the guy is really into wine, he may have a favorite type, so that should influence your decision. For instance I love shiraz and chianti, but don't care much for most merlots.

MacroGuru · 01-14-2006, 10:09 AM

I have actually just found a very cost effective Reisling that is probably the best wine I have ever had. It is from Columbia Winery, and is the Cellarmasters Reisling. It is one of wine Spectators top wines. It has a 98 rating, and very fruity, you can definately taste the pear, and a little of the apricot in the wine.

As for Red, bordering close to the $20 range around here is Torres - Sangre de Torro. I just bought about 5 of them as they went on sale below the $13 mark here, and then another one of my favorites is Marques de Caceres 2000, it is a Rioja, and is one of the smoother reds I have drank in a long time.

Edit: BTW....my prices might be off a little on the reds, it's been awhile other than the Toro....

MacroGuru · 01-14-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

Agreed, you can get a big bottle around here for $20, and shiraz especially is great. It hits the trifecta of good gift qualities: funny, cheap, and tasty!

If the guy is really into wine, he may have a favorite type, so that should influence your decision. For instance I love shiraz and chianti, but don't care much for most merlots.

Shiraz are my all time favorites, followed by the Rioja's then the cabs, I am not much of a zin or merlot fan.

JeeberD · 01-14-2006, 10:17 AM

Shiraz and Chianti are my two favorites...

SirFozzie · 01-14-2006, 10:19 AM

Damn, I must be too geeky for words..

when I saw the topic, my first thought was "I didn't know Coffee Warlord ran Linux"

terpkristin · 01-14-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Damn, I must be too geeky for words..

when I saw the topic, my first thought was "I didn't know Coffee Warlord ran Linux"

Well, it makes you geekier than me, but I understood the reference, so I'm not far behind you.

On topic of wines, I've never had them, but I've heard OK things about the Yellow Tail wines (from Australia).

/tk

Raven Hawk · 01-14-2006, 10:30 AM

Find some help at http://www.wine.com

A decent resource for wine with some descriptions.

Grammaticus · 01-14-2006, 10:43 AM

Cardinal Zin is a good red. It's made by the Bonny Doone wine company and most wine clubs will recommend it.

Coffee Warlord · 01-14-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Damn, I must be too geeky for words..

when I saw the topic, my first thought was "I didn't know Coffee Warlord ran Linux"

Heh, I was actually thinking "I bet someone thinks this is about linux" when I posted that.

(Yes, I run a whole helluva lot of linux machines, have for years.)

Tasan · 01-14-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Damn, I must be too geeky for words..

when I saw the topic, my first thought was "I didn't know Coffee Warlord ran Linux"

I too came in here expecting a discussion on Windows emulation in a Linux environment. And all I got was a silly expensive drunk discussion.

Tasan · 01-14-2006, 11:46 AM

Dola

And as for wine, I've never been much of a fan, except for when I made a company trip to the Napa Valley area, and discovered this during a drunking wine tasting adventure

http://www.vsattui.com/show/xmlsite/...mhmhkpgjapgjak

This stuff is awesome desert wine, and the people that make it were the coolest of all the wineries in the area. Very laid back, and did try to force all the typical wine tasting rules down your throat. They just let you try whatever you wanted, however you wanted. And that listed above was my favorite by far. I love a good desert wine and I'm not sure you'll find better.

Desnudo · 01-14-2006, 11:47 AM

I can recommend some great Washington State red wines in that price range, although I don't know if you'll be able to find them in the Chicago area. They represent excellent value for the price: L'Ecole #41, McCrea, Yakima Cellars, and Andrew Will. My personal favorite Oregon Pinot Noir is WillaKenzie, although there are plenty other excellent ones as well.

The easiest way out is to find a decent wine shop, tell them your price range and let them take care of you.

Desnudo · 01-14-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

No matter what you pick out, somebody will think it a gauche choice.

How bourgeois

Airhog · 01-14-2006, 12:09 PM

I know that WINE can be tough to get running on a linux box, and quite a bit of stuff won't work on it

WrongWay · 01-14-2006, 12:15 PM

For a special celebration I reccomend a bottle of Chateau Latour 1997 from Bordeaux.

For a Family type of celebration try Braida Moscato d'Asti. Very fruity and low in Alcohol.

If this person is truly a wine whore go with the 1997 Chateau Latour.

Desnudo · 01-14-2006, 12:20 PM

Uh yeah, did you look at his price range?

WrongWay · 01-14-2006, 12:36 PM

Oops, forget the 1997 Latour.

The d'asti should run you under $20.00 though, but probably will not make a series wine drinker happy.

And, please for the love of god do not go with a local wine. There is nothing more that I hate than someone showing up with a local wine that is only a few years old that taste like total crap.

EDIT: Also, have you thought about a Port? (10+ yrs old, NO LESS)

astrosfan64 · 01-14-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Friend of mine's housewarming/birthday party tonight. Said friend is a big wine guy, so I was gonna pick him up a bottle.

Now. I know my beer. I don't know shit about wine. So...suggestions of a good bottle of red? Prolly looking in the $20-40 range on price.

LOL i'm such a dork, when you said WINE i thought you meant the emmulator.

flere-imsaho · 01-14-2006, 01:26 PM

The staff at Binny's are generally pretty good and can probably help you out as well. There should be one near you. Plus, their prices are good.

Coffee Warlord · 01-14-2006, 02:05 PM

There's actually a brand spanking new wine shop right across the road from me. Went there, dude was extremely nice and helpful.

Wound up getting an Acacia pinot. I seem to remember he's a fan of the pinots, so we'll see how this goes over.

ISiddiqui · 01-14-2006, 03:12 PM

You know I quite like Rex Goliath Pinot Noir... and it has a 47 lb rooster in front of it

.

Karlifornia · 01-14-2006, 11:48 PM

I like a good sangiovese with subtle oak and berry textures. Actually, I may not like that. I don't know.

Desnudo · 01-15-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

There's actually a brand spanking new wine shop right across the road from me. Went there, dude was extremely nice and helpful.

Wound up getting an Acacia pinot. I seem to remember he's a fan of the pinots, so we'll see how this goes over.

Not a bad choice, it's pretty good.

sterlingice · 01-15-2006, 04:19 AM

Cecil: I have the '82 Chateau Latour and a rather indifferent Rausan-Segle.
Bob: I've been in prison, Cecil. I'll be happy just as long it doesn't taste like orange drink fermented under a radiator.
Cecil: That would be the Latour, then.

SI

stevew · 01-15-2006, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

LOL i'm such a dork, when you said WINE i thought you meant the emmulator.

Wine Is Not an Emulator.

sterlingice · 01-15-2006, 04:38 AM

I hate those recursive Linux acronyms (WINE, PINE, GNU, etc) that have themselves in their name. It just seems silly to me.

SI

Icy · 01-15-2006, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indoorsoccersim

I have actually just found a very cost effective Reisling that is probably the best wine I have ever had. It is from Columbia Winery, and is the Cellarmasters Reisling. It is one of wine Spectators top wines. It has a 98 rating, and very fruity, you can definately taste the pear, and a little of the apricot in the wine.

As for Red, bordering close to the $20 range around here is Torres - Sangre de Torro. I just bought about 5 of them as they went on sale below the $13 mark here, and then another one of my favorites is Marques de Caceres 2000, it is a Rioja, and is one of the smoother reds I have drank in a long time.

Edit: BTW....my prices might be off a little on the reds, it's been awhile other than the Toro....

You have really good taste for wines. I love both Sangre de Toro (Rivera del Duero) and Marques de Caceres (Rioja). The funny thing is that even being expensive Spanish wines, the cost in a Spanish supermarket is around $7 per bottle. Wine is cheap in Spain but of course we are one of the main producers. For example i buy every week a few bottles of "Señorio de los llanos" that is an awesome wine from my region "La Mancha"). The price is $5 in the supermarket and it's one of the best wines in Spain.

If you want a Spanish wine, be sure that it is from these regions, Rivera del Duero, Rioja or La Mancha. The rest of the regions (even Italy) buy our wines to mix with theirs and rebrand them.

Buzzbee · 01-15-2006, 08:24 AM

I feel like I'm watching the movie "Sideways" again, except Thomas Hayden Church isn't banging Sandra Oh.

Anyone posting a recommendation in this thread who hasn't seen it should check it out. It is a pretty good movie.

01-14-2006, 09:21 AM	#2
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	In that price range, if you want to get something that is really good, that probably no one else will get him, look for a bottle of Amarone. It is an Italian red. One of the wineries to look for is Masi. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

01-14-2006, 09:40 AM	#3
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	That's out of my typical price range so I'm not a good source, but my suggestion would be to go to a wine store and tell the guy exactly what you posted. People that run wine stores love to help people in your circumstance - they are passionate about wine and will surely have some goodies to offer you. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

01-14-2006, 09:59 AM	#6
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Actually, Fat Bastard wines are pretty darn good for their relatively inexpensive price. My mom and I agree that they're pretty good, and she's a bona fide connesseuir of wine. CW, do you know what TYPES of wine your friend prefers? /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

01-14-2006, 10:02 AM	#7
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	No matter what you pick out, somebody will think it a gauche choice. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

01-14-2006, 10:09 AM	#9
MacroGuru Coordinator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Utah	I have actually just found a very cost effective Reisling that is probably the best wine I have ever had. It is from Columbia Winery, and is the Cellarmasters Reisling. It is one of wine Spectators top wines. It has a 98 rating, and very fruity, you can definately taste the pear, and a little of the apricot in the wine. As for Red, bordering close to the $20 range around here is Torres - Sangre de Torro. I just bought about 5 of them as they went on sale below the $13 mark here, and then another one of my favorites is Marques de Caceres 2000, it is a Rioja, and is one of the smoother reds I have drank in a long time. Edit: BTW....my prices might be off a little on the reds, it's been awhile other than the Toro.... __________________ "forgetting what is in the past, I strive for the future" Last edited by MacroGuru : 01-14-2006 at 10:12 AM.

01-14-2006, 09:45 AM	#4
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico is one of my absolute favorites and should run in the $25-30 range. cartman's choice of an Amarone is good, but those are usually on the pricier side... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO Last edited by JeeberD : 01-14-2006 at 09:45 AM.

01-14-2006, 09:55 AM	#5
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	I like giving Fat Bastard (hxxp://www.fatbastardwine.com) as gifts, because it makes me giggle when I say it. You're probably looking for something more refined though...

01-14-2006, 10:17 AM	#11
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Shiraz and Chianti are my two favorites... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-14-2006, 10:19 AM	#12
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Damn, I must be too geeky for words.. when I saw the topic, my first thought was "I didn't know Coffee Warlord ran Linux" __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

01-14-2006, 10:30 AM	#14
Raven Hawk College Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thunderdome	Find some help at http://www.wine.com A decent resource for wine with some descriptions. __________________ Owner of The Shreveport Pride in The CFL

01-14-2006, 10:43 AM	#15
Grammaticus Pro Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tennessee	Cardinal Zin is a good red. It's made by the Bonny Doone wine company and most wine clubs will recommend it.

01-14-2006, 11:46 AM	#18
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Dola And as for wine, I've never been much of a fan, except for when I made a company trip to the Napa Valley area, and discovered this during a drunking wine tasting adventure http://www.vsattui.com/show/xmlsite/...mhmhkpgjapgjak This stuff is awesome desert wine, and the people that make it were the coolest of all the wineries in the area. Very laid back, and did try to force all the typical wine tasting rules down your throat. They just let you try whatever you wanted, however you wanted. And that listed above was my favorite by far. I love a good desert wine and I'm not sure you'll find better. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

01-14-2006, 11:47 AM	#19
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	I can recommend some great Washington State red wines in that price range, although I don't know if you'll be able to find them in the Chicago area. They represent excellent value for the price: L'Ecole #41, McCrea, Yakima Cellars, and Andrew Will. My personal favorite Oregon Pinot Noir is WillaKenzie, although there are plenty other excellent ones as well. The easiest way out is to find a decent wine shop, tell them your price range and let them take care of you.

01-14-2006, 12:09 PM	#21
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	I know that WINE can be tough to get running on a linux box, and quite a bit of stuff won't work on it __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

01-14-2006, 12:15 PM	#22
WrongWay Banned Join Date: Jan 2005	For a special celebration I reccomend a bottle of Chateau Latour 1997 from Bordeaux. For a Family type of celebration try Braida Moscato d'Asti. Very fruity and low in Alcohol. If this person is truly a wine whore go with the 1997 Chateau Latour.

01-14-2006, 12:20 PM	#23
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	Uh yeah, did you look at his price range?

01-14-2006, 12:36 PM	#24
WrongWay Banned Join Date: Jan 2005	Oops, forget the 1997 Latour. The d'asti should run you under $20.00 though, but probably will not make a series wine drinker happy. And, please for the love of god do not go with a local wine. There is nothing more that I hate than someone showing up with a local wine that is only a few years old that taste like total crap. EDIT: Also, have you thought about a Port? (10+ yrs old, NO LESS) Last edited by WrongWay : 01-14-2006 at 12:52 PM.

01-14-2006, 01:26 PM	#26
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	The staff at Binny's are generally pretty good and can probably help you out as well. There should be one near you. Plus, their prices are good.

01-14-2006, 02:05 PM	#27
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	There's actually a brand spanking new wine shop right across the road from me. Went there, dude was extremely nice and helpful. Wound up getting an Acacia pinot. I seem to remember he's a fan of the pinots, so we'll see how this goes over.

01-14-2006, 03:12 PM	#28
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	You know I quite like Rex Goliath Pinot Noir... and it has a 47 lb rooster in front of it . __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

01-14-2006, 11:48 PM	#29
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	I like a good sangiovese with subtle oak and berry textures. Actually, I may not like that. I don't know. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

01-15-2006, 04:19 AM	#31
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Cecil: I have the '82 Chateau Latour and a rather indifferent Rausan-Segle. Bob: I've been in prison, Cecil. I'll be happy just as long it doesn't taste like orange drink fermented under a radiator. Cecil: That would be the Latour, then. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" Last edited by sterlingice : 01-15-2006 at 04:20 AM.

01-15-2006, 04:38 AM	#33
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	I hate those recursive Linux acronyms (WINE, PINE, GNU, etc) that have themselves in their name. It just seems silly to me. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

01-15-2006, 08:24 AM	#35
Buzzbee College Starter Join Date: Jun 2002	I feel like I'm watching the movie "Sideways" again, except Thomas Hayden Church isn't banging Sandra Oh. Anyone posting a recommendation in this thread who hasn't seen it should check it out. It is a pretty good movie. __________________ Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. - Lou Holtz

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