Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 6:44 pm
It sounds like a 'new wine' ~ the first of the season.
Page 5 of 6
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 7:37 pm
A CD rom Encyclopaedia which is a poor man's version of Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 7:52 pm
Would this help, Byron?
http://wordweb.info/
I've been using the free version for years - it's a great boon to us speakers-of-english-as-a-foreign-language.
Jo
http://wordweb.info/
I've been using the free version for years - it's a great boon to us speakers-of-english-as-a-foreign-language.
Jo
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:28 pm
OK, thanks Byron.
Yeah, Lizzy, that was my first impression too! Sounded like some kind of booze, didn't it....but that would be the 'youngest' wine ever, yuck!
Then I looked it up on 'dogpile', and found out you can't drink it.
~ Makera
Yeah, Lizzy, that was my first impression too! Sounded like some kind of booze, didn't it....but that would be the 'youngest' wine ever, yuck!
Then I looked it up on 'dogpile', and found out you can't drink it.
~ Makera
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:44 pm
"dogpile" ? Is that a self-explanatory site?With regard to the wine, aged is always supposed to be better. Yet, when I was in New York over Thanksgiving, someone gifted my niece with what I gathered to be the newest, the freshest, the most delicate 'first' wine of the season. Some tradition from somewhere. I need to get more details because it seemed to fly in the face of everything I've ever heard about wine
.Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:30 pm
Lizzy~
Yep, can't forget that name can ya! That's my favourite meta-search engine. It's really cute too, type in what you want and click "Go Fetch". http://www.dogpile.com
The 'first wine' of the season would probably be drinkable in whites, but definitely wouldn't be in reds. I tend to think 'red', my preference.
~Makera
Yep, can't forget that name can ya!
That's my favourite meta-search engine. It's really cute too, type in what you want and click "Go Fetch". http://www.dogpile.comThe 'first wine' of the season would probably be drinkable in whites, but definitely wouldn't be in reds. I tend to think 'red', my preference.
~Makera
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 11:38 pm
Hi Lizzytysh and Makera,
Finally! A subject I know a little about!
I love wine. And I think what you are talking about Lizzy is Beaujolais Nouveau. It is sold all over the world one minute past midnight on the 3rd Thursday of every November. 65 Million bottles of it will be sold!
It is a great tradition. It's a sort of race.
Check out this site: it will tell you a lot about Baujolais Nouveau!
http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html
Finally! A subject I know a little about!
I love wine. And I think what you are talking about Lizzy is Beaujolais Nouveau. It is sold all over the world one minute past midnight on the 3rd Thursday of every November. 65 Million bottles of it will be sold!
It is a great tradition. It's a sort of race. Check out this site: it will tell you a lot about Baujolais Nouveau!
http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 1:50 am
Yes, Coco , that was it !!! Thanks 
!
After reading Makera's post, I thought, "Well, okay [thinking 'vintage'],maybe it was white then, but I thought it was red, but then there were several, different bottles, so maybe........ " ~ you know how that process goes . So, it has to do with 'new' in terms of its availability for sale, but not in terms of vintage? Guess if I go to the link you've provided, that question will be answered, huh . Is the tradition amongst 'wine drinkers of the world'? Whoever gave it to her [can't remember whether it was the couple from Ireland, or the New York City cop in-law], but she said they do it every year. Thanks for clearing it up for me!
Yes, Makera, my preference is dry red. I'll try that "Go Fetch" search button. Very cute
. They made sure no one would forget their site, didn't they .
~ Lizzy
, that was it !!! Thanks ! After reading Makera's post, I thought, "Well, okay [thinking 'vintage'],maybe it was white then, but I thought it was red, but then there were several, different bottles, so maybe........
" ~ you know how that process goes . So, it has to do with 'new' in terms of its availability for sale, but not in terms of vintage? Guess if I go to the link you've provided, that question will be answered, huh . Is the tradition amongst 'wine drinkers of the world'? Whoever gave it to her [can't remember whether it was the couple from Ireland, or the New York City cop in-law], but she said they do it every year. Thanks for clearing it up for me!Yes, Makera, my preference is dry red. I'll try that "Go Fetch" search button. Very cute
. They made sure no one would forget their site, didn't they .~ Lizzy
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 2:19 am
Thank you for that, Coco!
Fascinating and very informative.
I do like my wines, and I remember hearing about 'new wine' being a popular thing just after the harvest in France, but didn't realize it was so widespread.
Interesting that it says Beaujolais Nouveau "is as close to a white wine as a red wine can get". Is it a pinkish, straw colour?
Sounds a little too nouveau and fruity for my tastes, though. To be "gulped" rather than sipped!?
I'm too accustomed to my red (Cabernet Sauvignon) at least 3 years old; and any white, crisp and dry. Guess that makes me "boorish", hee hee
~Makera
Fascinating and very informative.
I do like my wines, and I remember hearing about 'new wine' being a popular thing just after the harvest in France, but didn't realize it was so widespread.
Interesting that it says Beaujolais Nouveau "is as close to a white wine as a red wine can get". Is it a pinkish, straw colour?
Sounds a little too nouveau and fruity for my tastes, though. To be "gulped" rather than sipped!?
I'm too accustomed to my red (Cabernet Sauvignon) at least 3 years old; and any white, crisp and dry. Guess that makes me "boorish", hee hee
~Makera
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:08 am
Hi Lizzytysh and Makera!
It actually looks like a regular beaujolais. And it's kind of silly everybody trying to drink it that first night or first 24 hours. But it's also kind of fun. It's not serious. And the first thing I learned when I started studying wine was not to take it seriously.
And people who really know their wines (not me!) the conneseiurs don't try to put on airs about it. They have told me -- "Coco, it doesn't matter, if you like it, that's all that matters."
So if anyone ever has a chance to take a class, you can really learn a lot and it demystifies it. And you then develope a liking for all kinds of wine.
My new favorite is now a California wine, a cab called SilverOak. Not the one from their Coastal vineyard, but SilverOak from their inland vineyard.
Yum! Yum!
P.S. I am adding this P.S. because it might look like I drink a lot But I am not a lush! Promise!
It actually looks like a regular beaujolais. And it's kind of silly everybody trying to drink it that first night or first 24 hours. But it's also kind of fun. It's not serious. And the first thing I learned when I started studying wine was not to take it seriously.
And people who really know their wines (not me!) the conneseiurs don't try to put on airs about it. They have told me -- "Coco, it doesn't matter, if you like it, that's all that matters."
So if anyone ever has a chance to take a class, you can really learn a lot and it demystifies it. And you then develope a liking for all kinds of wine.
My new favorite is now a California wine, a cab called SilverOak. Not the one from their Coastal vineyard, but SilverOak from their inland vineyard.
Yum! Yum!
P.S. I am adding this P.S. because it might look like I drink a lot
But I am not a lush! Promise! Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 4:35 am
Hi Makera and Coco ~
Cabernet was my favourite, but then I gave way to Merlot. Sometimes, oddly enough, wine is simply 'too much' for me, and I lose my taste for it altogether, for a while. A white can be refreshing at times. I know what you mean, Coco. I've been to several wine tastings, and some brief classes by the distributor, as a result of waitressing, but I'm not 'that' much of a wine drinker to make trying to remember all that information worth it, know what I mean? I tried doing the 4 oz/day thing for a while [the health benefits thing ~ you know the routine ], but found I really wasn't into that for long. I admire people who really can speak knowledgeably about wine [absent the airs, of course]. I've heard the same comment about ignoring those who feel they're necessary, too, and I quite agree. My niece commented [without airs] that this year's tasted better than last. How could one possibly remember ~ unless last year's was really bad in some way? In the end, I'd have to say Bailey's would win out with me any day over wine, so any airs would be lost on me, regardless .
~ Lizzy
Cabernet was my favourite, but then I gave way to Merlot. Sometimes, oddly enough, wine is simply 'too much' for me, and I lose my taste for it altogether, for a while. A white can be refreshing at times. I know what you mean, Coco. I've been to several wine tastings, and some brief classes by the distributor, as a result of waitressing, but I'm not 'that' much of a wine drinker to make trying to remember all that information worth it, know what I mean? I tried doing the 4 oz/day thing for a while [the health benefits thing ~ you know the routine
], but found I really wasn't into that for long. I admire people who really can speak knowledgeably about wine [absent the airs, of course]. I've heard the same comment about ignoring those who feel they're necessary, too, and I quite agree. My niece commented [without airs] that this year's tasted better than last. How could one possibly remember ~ unless last year's was really bad in some way? In the end, I'd have to say Bailey's would win out with me any day over wine, so any airs would be lost on me, regardless .~ Lizzy
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 12:29 pm
Hi Coco & Lizzy ~
Yep, it all comes down to personal taste. Even that so-called 'rule' about white with sea-food, and red with red meat, is so much hooey from wine snobs.
In Australia we were somewhat insulated and spoiled by the quality of our wines. You see, because our wine industry was 'protected' by hefty tariffs, I never got to try many French (or other foreign) wines as they were so expensive, but didn't feel the need when our own were so good. We have two main areas in Oz that have the required "Mediterranean climate" (winter rain) for premium wine growing: the Barossa Valley (in South Australia) and the Hunter Valley (in northern NSW). Oz wines have beaten French ones in international competitions. Big whoop!
Anyway, it took me a long time to find Californian wines I liked. All I could see were Merlot and Chardonnay; never came across 'Merlot' in Oz, and the Chardonnays seemed too fruity. Besides which, all the 'good' ones were over-priced. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find very nice French wines that were really cheap, $8-10! I finally found some Californian reds (and whites) that were good: Glen Ellen, Berringer, and some BV.
Thanks for the tip on the Silver Oak Cab, Coco, I'll check it out.
The best treat of all is still a Dom Perignon or a vintage Veuve Cliquot, hic! OK, Liz, the Baileys will do nicely too!
Here's to a great New Year!
~ Makera
Yep, it all comes down to personal taste. Even that so-called 'rule' about white with sea-food, and red with red meat, is so much hooey from wine snobs.
In Australia we were somewhat insulated and spoiled by the quality of our wines. You see, because our wine industry was 'protected' by hefty tariffs, I never got to try many French (or other foreign) wines as they were so expensive, but didn't feel the need when our own were so good. We have two main areas in Oz that have the required "Mediterranean climate" (winter rain) for premium wine growing: the Barossa Valley (in South Australia) and the Hunter Valley (in northern NSW). Oz wines have beaten French ones in international competitions. Big whoop!
Anyway, it took me a long time to find Californian wines I liked. All I could see were Merlot and Chardonnay; never came across 'Merlot' in Oz, and the Chardonnays seemed too fruity. Besides which, all the 'good' ones were over-priced. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find very nice French wines that were really cheap, $8-10! I finally found some Californian reds (and whites) that were good: Glen Ellen, Berringer, and some BV.
Thanks for the tip on the Silver Oak Cab, Coco, I'll check it out.
The best treat of all is still a Dom Perignon or a vintage Veuve Cliquot, hic!
OK, Liz, the Baileys will do nicely too!Here's to a great New Year!
~ Makera
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 2:58 pm
The Merlot that I found that I liked was Walnut Crest [Rapel Valley] and [ahem] 2002, not your 'obligatory,' three-year vintage, Makera . No idea where Rapel Valley is, but the wine is imported by Royal Imports of Old Brookville, NY. Rapel sounds French. Haven't bothered to check it out, since it's the taste I'm interested in, and I know where I can find it at $7.99.
There was an Oz wine highly recommended to me, so I sprung for the higher dollar and tried it a couple years ago, and found it dreadful. Don't ask me what it was, as I immediately forgot it.
I remember seeing some Silver Oak Cab labels, and may have tried some, but they never stuck. The first and last times I indulged in Dom Perignon, etc. in the high-dollar brackets was when I was involved with an attorney. However, the relationship wasn't worth the wine .
Yes, here's to a great New Year !
~ Lizzy
three-year vintage, Makera . No idea where Rapel Valley is, but the wine is imported by Royal Imports of Old Brookville, NY. Rapel sounds French. Haven't bothered to check it out, since it's the taste I'm interested in, and I know where I can find it at $7.99.There was an Oz wine highly recommended to me, so I sprung for the higher dollar and tried it a couple years ago, and found it dreadful. Don't ask me what it was, as I immediately forgot it.
I remember seeing some Silver Oak Cab labels, and may have tried some, but they never stuck. The first and last times I indulged in Dom Perignon, etc. in the high-dollar brackets was when I was involved with an attorney. However, the relationship wasn't worth the wine
.Yes, here's to a great New Year
!~ Lizzy
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 7:47 am
Is that 'inverted' wine snobbery I detect Liz?
I'm not surprised you got a bummer in an imported Oz wine. I've noticed the really good ones don't seem to make it to US wine stores. I think they keep the best for themselves. I remember being shocked, when still in Oz, to hear that a particularly mediocre white (actually, bloody awful) was a popular export to the US: Ben-Ean Moselle (can't quite recall the spelling). We used to call it 'Benzene' Moselle!
Anyway, I think it has something to do with the volume produced that determines what is exported. A funny story, on this theme, was at a dinner my husband and his business partner (at the time) had with a very classy Portugese executive in Lisbon (1980). Enjoying the fine wine being served, my husband's partner mentioned that we got the (quite popular) Portugese wine "Mateuse Rose" in Australia. Without any hint of sarcasm, their Portugese host replied, "Oh yes, we export our rubbish."
That seems to support my assumption that countries with the quality, but not the quantity, tend to keep it to themselves.
We only indulge in French Champagne on special occasions. Yeah, the company definitely counts! My last Dom P was the bottle my hubby gave me for our anniversary '02. Hope to have something to celebrate sooner in '04.
~Makera
I'm not surprised you got a bummer in an imported Oz wine. I've noticed the really good ones don't seem to make it to US wine stores. I think they keep the best for themselves. I remember being shocked, when still in Oz, to hear that a particularly mediocre white (actually, bloody awful) was a popular export to the US: Ben-Ean Moselle (can't quite recall the spelling). We used to call it 'Benzene' Moselle!
Anyway, I think it has something to do with the volume produced that determines what is exported. A funny story, on this theme, was at a dinner my husband and his business partner (at the time) had with a very classy Portugese executive in Lisbon (1980). Enjoying the fine wine being served, my husband's partner mentioned that we got the (quite popular) Portugese wine "Mateuse Rose" in Australia. Without any hint of sarcasm, their Portugese host replied, "Oh yes, we export our rubbish."
That seems to support my assumption that countries with the quality, but not the quantity, tend to keep it to themselves.
We only indulge in French Champagne on special occasions. Yeah, the company definitely counts! My last Dom P was the bottle my hubby gave me for our anniversary '02. Hope to have something to celebrate sooner in '04.
~Makera
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:47 am
Oooooo......benzene . That's pretty graphic. That is a funny story about the Portugese wine. If he was trying to impress, he didn't score, and you really may be on to something there , with these countries. Who could blame them? At the same time, what are they doing to their country's reputation in terms of the wine industry? Conversely[?], I remember hearing at a wine tasting and/or instruction, that there are a number of French table wines that are excellent tasting that don't cost much at all, and that it's not necessary to spend lots of money to find a good wine. It's amazing the differences in taste with the 'same' kind of wine. Do you recall what your husband's partner's recouping comment [if any] was? It reminds me of a scene from a movie, where he might choke on, or spit forth his intended swallow, and be unable to comment at all. I wonder if the Portugese man considered it equivalent to our MD 20/20 [another benzene product], favoured by alcoholics.
Regarding the Silver Oak Cab, looking at my comment, just want to clarify that I'm not suggesting I wouldn't/didn't like the wine, just that the names didn't stick, if I have tried it. Just not sure, one way or the other.
Yep, that's me.....an 'inverted wine snob' . I want you to know that, that carries a lot of responsibility, however, and I have to struggle to keep up with it . The Dom P for your anniversary was a lovely gift that it sounds like the two of you enjoyed.
~ Lizzy of The IWS League
. That's pretty graphic. That is a funny story about the Portugese wine. If he was trying to impress, he didn't score, and you really may be on to something there , with these countries. Who could blame them? At the same time, what are they doing to their country's reputation in terms of the wine industry? Conversely[?], I remember hearing at a wine tasting and/or instruction, that there are a number of French table wines that are excellent tasting that don't cost much at all, and that it's not necessary to spend lots of money to find a good wine. It's amazing the differences in taste with the 'same' kind of wine. Do you recall what your husband's partner's recouping comment [if any] was? It reminds me of a scene from a movie, where he might choke on, or spit forth his intended swallow, and be unable to comment at all. I wonder if the Portugese man considered it equivalent to our MD 20/20 [another benzene product], favoured by alcoholics.Regarding the Silver Oak Cab, looking at my comment, just want to clarify that I'm not suggesting I wouldn't/didn't like the wine, just that the names didn't stick, if I have tried it. Just not sure, one way or the other.
Yep, that's me.....an 'inverted wine snob'
. I want you to know that, that carries a lot of responsibility, however, and I have to struggle to keep up with it . The Dom P for your anniversary was a lovely gift that it sounds like the two of you enjoyed.~ Lizzy of The IWS League