What's your favorite "Kool-Aid" (wine, that is)

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by DavidMorgan

Ken, I think you should start a new thread on wines.

Those that we reccomend
What we have in our "cave"
What is the finest you have tasted voir drunk!
Your dream cave
What goes best with what
And cork screws, glasses, accessories.
And of course photos will have their place...

As David M suggested, many of us here are big fans of ahem, Kool-Aid.

I'm actually not a big wine drinker (I'm only 5'9", 165lbs ). Seriously, wife does most of the selections but she's into reds, whereas I prefer whites like rieslings, gewurtztraminers, ehrenfelsers and the likes. And I almost always buy bottles not exceeding Cdn$30, which actually gets you a lot of selection from Canada, US west coast, Australia & N.Z and S. Africa.

My current likes:

Summerhill ehrenfelser (BC, Canada)

Joie riesling (BC, Canada)

Lindeman's Bin 85 pinot grigio and Bin 75 riesling (Australia)

[Jezzadee]

Are you for real?

[Mattlach]

I hear Jim Jones made some great kool-aid

[Mattlach]

joking aside

My favorite wine has to be by far a good Pinot Noir. I don't get into names and vineyards, as I am not an expert, but whenever I have a good Pinot Noir I really enjoy it.

It also has the added bonus of pairing well with a surprising variety of food, including some food that most would say should only be paired with something white.

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I hear Jim Jones made some great kool-aid

That stuff was to-die-for, wasn't it ?

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

That stuff was to-die-for, wasn't it ?

Indeed.

If he had decxided to sell the recipe, he could have made a killing!

[slspf2]

When it's wine, I usually drink chard or cab sauv. For chardonnay I like the Aussie Lindeman's Bin 65 or Greg Norman's Californian line.

For cabernet it's usually columbia crest grand estates... I must say though that I love the explosion of flavor you get with the cabernet's.

I also get the pleasure of working for a liquor distributor too so I get to regularly try many different types of wine, liquor, and import beer.

[DanF.]

Boone's


Or any type of "wine" made out back in a tub.

[mrbrett]

It's hard to choose just one from the big three: Richards Wild Irish Rose, MD 20/20, and Thunderbird. Someone beat me to Boone's Farm...

[DanF.]

Originally Posted by mrbrett

It's hard to choose just one from the big three: Richards Wild Irish Rose, MD 20/20, and Thunderbird. Someone beat me to Boone's Farm...

Jeez... I would wager I've lost more time to those 3 than I have to sleep.

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by DanF.

Or any type of "wine" made out back in a tub.

Sorry Dan, but any liquids that come out of THIS don't count ......

[jglavin]

We always go for reds. My personal faves are Chianti and Malbec at the moment. I've also discovered that blends can be quite nice (cabernet/pinot blend for example). We try to sample as many countries as the local wine shops will allow. Argentinian wines are quite interesting.

To be honest I haven't met a red I didn't like, except for the odd dud here and there which I attributed to a bad batch/botched packaging. I don't really know much about wine either...

Best I've had was a 2000 Barolo... yummm!

[Wulf]

I usually buy whatever is on sale and never spend more than $10 a bottle. The World Market chain of stores has a nice selection for decent prices. Most inexpensive wines are good enough for me, as long as they don't have a screw-on cap or come in a box. I usually go for the Pinot Noir in red and German dry in white. I do appreciate good quality wines but can't justify the cost when I buy myself.

The area where I live is wine country (Leelanau peninsula) and they make some good ones as well.
http://www.lpwines.com/winemap/

Interesting fact of the day: Ciccone Vineyards is run by Madonna's father.

[Saaboheme]

I just finished off the last of a case of of 1989 Cos D'Estournel. One of my favorite deuxiemes crus (often superior to some of the premier crus) and what I think is a perennially underrated wine. Smoothe, subtle and satisfying from start to finish. Getting pricier all the time though, so maybe not so under-appreciated after all. Fortunately, I had the foresight to buy a case on its release.

The Grange. In contrast to the above, this wine is all about power and depth and extraction. If I can't afford this, I like a suitably old Cornas (luckily I have some cellared) for those times I want to chew on my wine. When I can find it, D'Arenberg's The Dead Arm Shiraz does nicely here too.

Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco. I had a 1990 on an anniversary two years ago. Took my own bottle to the restaurant and the maitre'd permitted it because it was my anniversary, but really because I insisted he join us for a glass. Almost anything by Gaja is great, but just too expensive. What I really like is finding a cheap Spanna or Gattinara (really hard to do now with the latter) because anything made in Piemonte from the Nebbiolo is a gift from God.

1995 Le Roy Romanee St. Vivant. One out of 2 bottles left. The first was so good prior to full maturity that it makes me weak in the knees to think of its orphaned sibling in the cellar. This wine is much, much better than the 1994 (an admittedly weaker vintage) Romanee Conti we uncorked at the Findlay Saaboree last year. "Tis a pity I no longer have the funds to purchase such extravagances.

I like the wines of Bonny Doon, from California's original Rhone Ranger. Le Cigar Volant in particular.

Condrieu because I have fallen for the allure of Viognier. For a cheaper route to getting the Viognier Jones off my back, I will gladly accept Andrew Murray offerings, like Tous les Jours, or even Concannon's wares. Calera Mount Harlan, near heresy being spoken here, is danged close to gen-u-wine Condrieu in quality and execution. Take it to the bank.

German and Austrian dessert wines. Especially Trockenbeerenauslese, Beerenauslese and Eiswein. Still cheaper than Sauternes for the most part, I find them extremely well balanced with all manner of fruit highlights laid down on a bed of smooth clover honey. Tokay good too. And Vintage Port. Bring it on.

Vacheron Sancerre. Acidic and flinty is the way I like it.

Okay, I like them all. I have not even touched on Chile, South Africa, NZ, Spain (ahh, the lovely Temperanilla) etc.

Final answer - I like anything that costs $15.00 and does not have a screw-on lid or come in a box.

[Cuba]

Originally Posted by Saaboheme

When I can find it, D'Arenberg's The Dead Arm Shiraz does nicely here too.

I thoroughly enjoyed what I had of the Dead Arm Shiraz from the 90's. The Copper Mine road Cabernet Sauvignon is also a very nice.

[SMHarman]

Chateau Haut Brion 1992 Cru Classe des Graves

Best Red I have ever drunk.

[DavidMorgan]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Chateau Haut Brion 1992 Cru Classe des Graves
Best Red I have ever drunk.

I have 12 bottles of Chateau Haut Brion 1964 hidden away as the best investment ever. I paid $6 a bottle in 1970... Today's price x 100

One of the finest wines I am drinking now is American..
Beringer 1998, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvvignon.

Am not very good at all the "wine jargon" but I know what I like and despite having all the French wines around me ... this is superlative.

[JonV]

Chateau La Nerthe, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 03, quite nice for a Special nite

La Bernadine, also a cdp but more modestly priced

followed by Pinot Noir's and Syrah's

[Saaboheme]

Originally Posted by cuba

I thoroughly enjoyed what I had of the Dead Arm Shiraz from the 90's. The Copper Mine road Cabernet Sauvignon is also a very nice.

Have not had the pleasure of experiencing this cab. but have heard very good things via some industry press.
I decided to uncork some 2006 Cellar Selection Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc from NZ after posting in this thread and am sooo gratified to have found one with that famous NZ zing and bling. This is one edgy, acidic, tart wine and at 12.00 to 13.00 USD a bottle, it is an outright steal. This is what Cloudy Bay was all about ten years ago.

[boon94]

2 buck chuck at trader joes
My family has a long history of heart problems, it wasn't too hard to convince them that I should have a bottle of wine kept in my dorm