Dom Perignon or Cristal

[StillAWarrior]

Or people like what they like...

When I was in school and interviewing some of the places took me to some pretty nice dinners. One was with a guy who was really into wine and could afford to buy whatever he wanted. He definitely seemed like he had all the makings of a real wine snob. I asked him what was good. I'll always remember -- and appreciate -- his answer: "The best wine is the wine you like." Words to live by.

[Galway Eagle]

When I was in school and interviewing some of the places took me to some pretty nice dinners. One was with a guy who was really into wine and could afford to buy whatever he wanted. He definitely seemed like he had all the makings of a real wine snob. I asked him what was good. I'll always remember -- and appreciate -- his answer: "The best wine is the wine you like." Words to live by.

Larry Bell told me something similar regarding beer years ago when I was in college and definitely not into good beer yet.

[panda]

Larry Bell told me something similar regarding beer years ago when I was in college and definitely not into good beer yet.

Sage advice. Glad to see you carry those words with you even to this day.

[Jay Bee]

So true Sultan. My mother in law, who can afford to drink anything in the world, prefers Sutter Home white zin. 

How many daughters she got tho??

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Solved.

[rocky_warrior]

My mom is turning 65 so I thought I'd step it up a bit.  Maybe I'll opt for a good Cab or something.  I dunno.

This is going to sound a little judgmental, but are you gifting your mom booze, or going to take some to share with her on her birthday celebration?

Sure, I've gifted good beer/wine/liquor to friends before, but with family I would always try to do something a little more personal.  For family, I always take good drinks to gatherings in hopes we share, and leave it behind if we don't. 

[MuggsyB]

This is going to sound a little judgmental, but are you gifting your mom booze, or going to take some to share with her on her birthday celebration?

Sure, I've gifted good beer/wine/liquor to friends before, but with family I would always try to do something a little more personal.  For family, I always take good drinks to gatherings in hopes we share, and leave it behind if we don't.

My sister and I are cooking dinner for her and my Aunt and Uncle so we would all share the wine. 

[rocky_warrior]

My sister and I are cooking dinner for her and my Aunt and Uncle so we would all share the wine.

Ah, well then I'll echo what others have said - take a bottle or two* of what you like (or what a good store associate recommends based on the dinner plans), and have a ball!

* especially with 5-6 people drinking!

[MuggsyB]

Ah, well then I'll echo what others have said - take a bottle or two* of what you like (or what a good store associate recommends based on the dinner plans), and have a ball!

* especially with 5-6 people drinking!

Ty Rocky.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Sure I have a wine fridge filled with a ton of > 4 star wines but because I don't jizz my pants for overpriced Napa crap and would rather get a great brunello or Sangiovese then I must not know wine. But I'm sure your tour guide from that drunken weekend in Napa was totally impartial when they sold you on overpriced crap.

The majority of cabs found around me come from cali. Cali wines are overly sweet and oaky with like no other notes. Is this true across the board? Nope. Is it true enough that I'm more likely to enjoy a random glass from France or Italy than a glass of the Napa cab? Most definitely. They're also too high in alcohol relative to such a simple wine.

Yes I've been lucky to find some French cabs that are much better but in my experience mostly are going to be high alcohol sugar bombs from cali.

Did you row down The Seine in this douche canoe?

[real chili 83]

Half the worlds rojo consumption is in PR.

[WarriorFan]

I agree with and will expand upon the previous recommendation.  This takes some preparation.  Know a little about what you like... dry, sorta sweet, red, white, bold, light, tannic, etc.  Then go to a good wine shop and ask their advice and buy 5 bottles.  Take them home and drink them.  (Try not to do all 5 in one night).  Find what you like the most. Make some notes in your own words.  'Tastes like goat piss with a hint of gunpowder... never buy again!' for example...  When you find something you like,  make that your go-to for this type of situation.

This process can be repeated ad-infinitum to the great joy of the wine shop owner and the sampler. 

Alternatively, I had a very nice 2022 PBR last night...

[Dr. Blackheart]

Half the worlds rojo consumption is in PR.

Yep. Seems to be concentrated in the West Coast PR and Ponce area.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-09-12-9909100403-story.html

[21Jumpstreet]

In lieu of bubbly, I Bought a really nice Barolo for some friends recently, and I've enjoyed Paraduxx from Duckhorn a time or two in the recent past.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Cook's extra dry.

[Uncle Rico]

Cook's extra dry.

Now that's overpriced

[drewm88]

I agree with and will expand upon the previous recommendation.  This takes some preparation.  Know a little about what you like... dry, sorta sweet, red, white, bold, light, tannic, etc.  Then go to a good wine shop and ask their advice and buy 5 bottles.  Take them home and drink them.  (Try not to do all 5 in one night).  Find what you like the most. Make some notes in your own words.  'Tastes like goat piss with a hint of gunpowder... never buy again!' for example...  When you find something you like,  make that your go-to for this type of situation.

I like the Vivino app for this. Snap a picture, it identifies the wine, I add a rating and some brief notes that are entirely unhelpful to any other user. Helps me remember what to buy again (or not) or to guide the owner of my local wine shop in suggesting new ones.

Also if you're looking to get into wine, it can help you learn more about wine by looking at others' reviews while you drink.

[CreightonWarrior]

Vivino is great. Anything over 4* should be a solid choice.

[WarriorFan]

I like the Vivino app for this. Snap a picture, it identifies the wine, I add a rating and some brief notes that are entirely unhelpful to any other user. Helps me remember what to buy again (or not) or to guide the owner of my local wine shop in suggesting new ones.

Also if you're looking to get into wine, it can help you learn more about wine by looking at others' reviews while you drink.

After years of keeping a spreadsheet I now also use Vivino.  If you see any reviews referring to goat's piss, they are probably mine.  I always put one simple phrase in my review... either "buy again" or "do not buy again".  Also I have a category of "good wines for finishing the night" which means they are cheap but very drinkable for those evenings when quality is overcome by quantity. 

[Galway Eagle]

After years of keeping a spreadsheet I now also use Vivino.  If you see any reviews referring to goat's piss, they are probably mine.  I always put one simple phrase in my review... either "buy again" or "do not buy again".  Also I have a category of "good wines for finishing the night" which means they are cheap but very drinkable for those evenings when quality is overcome by quantity.

Vivino is fantastic. Wife and I's system is 4.5-5 means go out of the way to search for said bottle. 4-4.5 would definitely buy again. 3.5-4 wouldn't thumb our nose at or would get if we're on a budget. Below that we pawn it off on her siblings.

[Porky's Butthole]

Champagne Gosset is outstanding for the $$.   It's not something every place has so it may take a few calls to identify a wine shop that carries it, but it's not so uncommon that you won't be able to find it anywhere.   It generally runs $55-60 which is a helluva lot less than Dom or Krug or Cristal and their ilk.

Porky is a big fan of single vineyard grower producer champagnes.  They're generally a great value but somewhat more difficult to find.   Porky's local purveyor recently started carrying GAMET, which Porky has tried a few times, both white and rose.   Their Rose Champagne in particular was very unique.  Grab it if you can find it!

https://www.eater.com/wine/22263123/best-champagne-is-grower-champagne-bottle-to-buy-bubbly

https://www.champagne-gamet.com/

Of the big houses, Porky Prefers Pol Roger.  Happy New Year Scoopers!

[real chili 83]

Sooooo Mugster, what did you end up going with?????

[MuggsyB]

Sooooo Mugster, what did you end up going with?????

We went with two mid priced Bordeaux's (thx scoopers for the tips):

Siran Margaux and Bonalague Pomerol. 

But in case I or my uncle don't like them I also snagged two large bottles of premier Belgian beer.    All together it was significantly less than a bottle of Dom or Cristal.    Assuming my sister allows me to do all of the cooking my mom should be happy. 

[JWags85]

Enjoy the Stella!!

[MuggsyB]

Enjoy the Stella!!

LOL.

Chimay Blue & La Trappe.