Any wine experts here?

[Arkitech]

I've never been much of a wine drinker but lately I've heard a lot of talk about certain wines are really good for health reasons. So basically thats all the incentive I need to get going.

Which wines are sweet, bitter, etc..?

How do I determine what goes best with certain types of food?

What are some inexpensive but good brands to start with? (are there any inexpensive good wines)

Whats the difference between merlots, ports, blushes, etc..?

 

[Amorphus]

So you wanna fake being a wine expert?

 

[Amorphus]

btw - wines are "good for you" because of the alcohol (at least, in moderation). So don't become a wino and say "but it's good for me!", because it's only about a glass of wine that will do you any good (or a 12oz can of beer, or a shot of vodka which has lessa carbs than beer or wine )

 

[Kipper]

It gets you drunk. There's a start - nothing like boxed Franzia for $8.

 

[Isshinryu]

Common rule is:
White wines - Fish and Poultry
Red Wines - Meats
Save sweet wines for use with desert or after dinner

If you're drinking for health, drink red wine, as tannin is exclusively found in red wines. I've always been a fan of Yellowtail Shiraz, which can be had for ~$10/bottle.

 

[Arkitech]

ok so white wines are typically for lighter meals? and the reds are reserved for the heavier discourses? Ha well thats perfect since I love a good steak.

Now what is tannin, does that mean pulp or something like that?

 

[z0mb13]

wine gives u the nastiest hangovers..

 

[Isshinryu]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
ok so white wines are typically for lighter meals? and the reds are reserved for the heavier discourses? Ha well thats perfect since I love a good steak.

Now what is tannin, does that mean pulp or something like that?

It's an astringent substance that's found in the skins and stems of grapes. They give red wines their flavor and texture. They're considered healthy because they have antioxidant traits. It gives young red wines a noticable "puckery" taste, but it mellows out over time.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Isshinryu

Originally posted by: Arkitech
ok so white wines are typically for lighter meals? and the reds are reserved for the heavier discourses? Ha well thats perfect since I love a good steak.

Now what is tannin, does that mean pulp or something like that?

It's an astringent substance that's found in the skins and stems of grapes. They give red wines their flavor and texture. They're considered healthy because they have antioxidant traits. It gives young red wines a noticable "puckery" taste, but it mellows out over time.

oh now its coming together. so obviously the longer the red wines age the smoother the taste.

what would you recommend for accompanying a porterhouse steak

 

[mboy]

When u drink white wine, hold the glass by the stem and do not touch the glass part the wine is in. White wine is served cold, so you do not want to warm it with your bodyheat (or look like a fool in front of people who know).
You can drink or hold red wine by cupping the glass with your hand as it is served at room temp.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Amorphus
btw - wines are "good for you" because of the alcohol (at least, in moderation). So don't become a wino and say "but it's good for me!", because it's only about a glass of wine that will do you any good (or a 12oz can of beer, or a shot of vodka which has lessa carbs than beer or wine )

learn something new everyday, I did'nt know vodka was low in calories. what about gin?

I think tonight I'll pick up a couple of steaks, a bottle of vodka and some red wine


let the good time roll :thumbsup:

 

[imported_vr6]

well for those that are starting new, pinot noir is a good place to start. Rodney Strong pinot noir is pretty good.

 

[Kelemvor]

Screw tops are best at keeping wine fresh. But the snobby people still think corks are better because they are ignorant.

But anyway, it's all about personal taste. I prefer very sweet wines and others prefer very dry. Best thing to do is find somewhere that does Wine Tastings and go to one. It lets you taste a whole bunch of different kinds and you can get on the track to figuring out wha tyour personal tastes are.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: mboy
When u drink white wine, hold the glass by the stem and do not touch the glass part the wine is in. White wine is served cold, so you do not want to warm it with your bodyheat (or look like a fool in front of people who know).
You can drink or hold red wine by cupping the glass with your hand as it is served at room temp.

I'm feeling more like a wine expert already.

Am I correct in saying that only red wines have a woody flavor? And is that a good flavor in wine?

 

[palle33]

europian wines are good ...

 

[Isshinryu]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: Isshinryu

Originally posted by: Arkitech
ok so white wines are typically for lighter meals? and the reds are reserved for the heavier discourses? Ha well thats perfect since I love a good steak.

Now what is tannin, does that mean pulp or something like that?

It's an astringent substance that's found in the skins and stems of grapes. They give red wines their flavor and texture. They're considered healthy because they have antioxidant traits. It gives young red wines a noticable "puckery" taste, but it mellows out over time.

oh now its coming together. so obviously the longer the red wines age the smoother the taste.

what would you recommend for accompanying a porterhouse steak

A good zinfandel. Brand depends on what you want to spend.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Screw tops are best at keeping wine fresh. But the snobby people still think corks are better because they are ignorant.

But anyway, it's all about personal taste. I prefer very sweet wines and others prefer very dry. Best thing to do is find somewhere that does Wine Tastings and go to one. It lets you taste a whole bunch of different kinds and you can get on the track to figuring out wha tyour personal tastes are.

What would be a good blend of sweet and dry wine? I usually don't care for wine thats too sweet or dry.

Also what does merlot, ports and blushes mean? Is that an indicator of how dry or sweet a wine is?

 

[Tauren]

Am I correct in saying that only red wines have a woody flavor? And is that a good flavor in wine?

Yes, woody is good. No, it is not just reds. It comes from the oak barrels wine is stored in.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
ok so white wines are typically for lighter meals? and the reds are reserved for the heavier discourses? Ha well thats perfect since I love a good steak.

Now what is tannin, does that mean pulp or something like that?

That's the basics. But drink what you like.

Learn and taste the basic Califonia wines.

Reds - from light/sweet to heavy/dry (going off memory, bear with me)
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Zinfandel
Cabernet

Whites
Pinot Grigio
Chardonney

 

[Tauren]

In between sweet & dry.

Shiraz - Australia
Syrah - The rest of the world

 

[Descartes]

Seriously, why don't you just go buy a book? You're not going to get all of your answers in a few posts on ATOT. Buy a good book, to to your local wine supplier, buy some reasonably well-known good vintages, and taste them. You will only learn to understand the more you taste.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
What would be a good blend of sweet and dry wine? I usually don't care for wine thats too sweet or dry.

my sub $10 go-to is an Ecco Domani Chianti. it's a fairly young chianti that is a good balance between dry and fruity.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
wine gives u the nastiest hangovers..

The last wine I drank was 20 year port wine from Portugal. I never had a hangover but I sure got f'ed up


Sysadmin

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
wine gives u the nastiest hangovers..

I never get hangovers, I think it's because I drink water by the gallon during the day

 

[spidey07]

oh yeah, forgot to mention.

8-12 dollars a bottle is a good place to try wines.