I don't really drink so I don't know what to buy when I am entertaining and/or am a guest at someone's house. Could you please recommend one or more wines that are reasonably priced and bound to please. Thanks in advance.
Question/s for wine afficiandos
- Thread starter Sweetiepie
- Start date
What is a reasonable price to you and what kind of wine? New world (Americas and Australia), old world (Europe), white, red? Be more specific because there's a lot of wine out there.
One that I like and is consistent is Jean Bousquet Organic Malbec from Argtentina 2007. You can't beat its price of $15.95.
Panther
One that I like and is consistent is Jean Bousquet Organic Malbec from Argtentina 2007. You can't beat its price of $15.95.
Panther
Thanks! To answer your question, yes I 'm thinking maybe under 25 bucks, if possible. I don't have any preferences since I don't really drink myself. Just something that would be a good and safe bet to offer other people when I'm entertaining or visiting. Thanks again!
Not sure where you're located...but my favorite wine store is Marqui Wines on Davie near Burrard.
Your best bet is to go into your local wine store and ask for recommendations as many stock different things and any recommendations here may not be found at your local store, which can be frustrating.
Often staff at wine stores (and even gov't liquor stores) can make good recommendations within your budget based on what they currently have in stock.
Your best bet is to go into your local wine store and ask for recommendations as many stock different things and any recommendations here may not be found at your local store, which can be frustrating.
Often staff at wine stores (and even gov't liquor stores) can make good recommendations within your budget based on what they currently have in stock.
I read the "Uncorked" wine column that runs in the Georgia Straight every week. The reviews are helpful and the columnist presents wines in all price ranges.
Best wine advice I've had was in Maxim, where they said if you're spending under $50 for a bottle, choosing the grape is the most important factor. This basically means don't worry about countries, vintages, etc. That keeps it simple. If you know what kind of food will be served, this will help you choose the wine. There's quite a bit of truth to the rule of thumb, red meat goes with red wine, white meat goes with white wine. The reason is that the reds have more body and don't get overwhelmed with the strong flavours of say, a peppercorn steak. Similarly, white wines generally pair well with the lighter tastes of fish. The strong reds are things like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, etc. The lighter whites are like Riesling, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Piesporter, Gewürztraminer, etc. If you don't know what food will be served, you can't really go wrong with a Chardonnay, which is like a strong white so makes a good all-around wine. Same goes with buying a rose (blush) wine, like a white zinfandel, white merlot, white shiraz, etc. Blush wines in particular make good wines for just drinking, ie., without food.
You can get lots of good wine reviews on this site: http://www.gismondionwine.com/
With all that out of the way, I used to make an effort to pair wine with food, but eventually I learned that whatever wine you like makes it the best choice. I just buy Barefoot Wine's White Zin for $10 and I'm happy: http://www.barefootwine.com/our-wines/overview/blush/WhiteZinfandel.html
If you want to buy a wine to impress, you can get a nice Australian Shiraz (the Aussies are known for good Shirazes) for $25, or if you are feeling patriotic or want to impress some visitors from outside of Canada, go for Sumac Ridge's Meritage, which is a really stiff white. You will score uniqueness points with Gray Monk's Rotberger, an interesting rose for $16.
But really, if you are just hanging out with friends just buy anything you want. It's hard to go super wrong with wine -- anyone I hang out with is just happy that it IS wine.
You can get lots of good wine reviews on this site: http://www.gismondionwine.com/
With all that out of the way, I used to make an effort to pair wine with food, but eventually I learned that whatever wine you like makes it the best choice. I just buy Barefoot Wine's White Zin for $10 and I'm happy: http://www.barefootwine.com/our-wines/overview/blush/WhiteZinfandel.html
If you want to buy a wine to impress, you can get a nice Australian Shiraz (the Aussies are known for good Shirazes) for $25, or if you are feeling patriotic or want to impress some visitors from outside of Canada, go for Sumac Ridge's Meritage, which is a really stiff white. You will score uniqueness points with Gray Monk's Rotberger, an interesting rose for $16.
But really, if you are just hanging out with friends just buy anything you want. It's hard to go super wrong with wine -- anyone I hang out with is just happy that it IS wine
.In general, Chilean and New Zealand wines offer great value
local BC wines are great because there are so many treasures to discover and hard to find them outside of our province
Everyone's taste is different so go with what you enjoy drinking
Some nice cool summer time sippers from BC that I enjoy are:
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Therapy Vineyards Freudian Sip 2008 (white blend)
Therapy Vineyards Pink Freud 2006, 2007, 2008
Joie Rose 2008
All under $30, great bouquets and refreshing (not ultra dry)... almost off dry though they are 00
local BC wines are great because there are so many treasures to discover and hard to find them outside of our province
Everyone's taste is different so go with what you enjoy drinking
Some nice cool summer time sippers from BC that I enjoy are:
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Therapy Vineyards Freudian Sip 2008 (white blend)
Therapy Vineyards Pink Freud 2006, 2007, 2008
Joie Rose 2008
All under $30, great bouquets and refreshing (not ultra dry)... almost off dry though they are 00
Small Pleasures offers a great recommendation for a wine store. Just ask the staff at the front desk for a reco and price range and they'll recommend something for you.
I got a GREAT reco a few weeks back for a Spanish wine at 17.95, a Vina Carchelo 2007 GSM. Excellent value! Their Syrah 2006 is 22.95 but needs some time but still, enjoyable right now.
I also tried a Malbec from Chile at the Marquis for 15.90 a week back and it was VERY good value! Excellent nose and a long, long finish of dried cherry, cigar box and vanilla, reminiscent of older Bordeaux or Rioja. Tasted like an $80 bottle of wine. WOW!
At the LDB, try the "Tre" 2006 by Brancaia for 23.99 on sale from 29.99. It's a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet (hence tre [or three]) for a very reasonable price from the not-so-reasonably-priced Tuscany region of Italy. Balanced, well made and hearty wine with good intensity of dark fruit and tobacco. Excellent with red meats and poultry with a reduced, herbed chicken and butter stock. Pick it up at the LDB at 39th and Cambie.
Cheers!
Panther
