OT: What are your favorite White and Red Wines?

[PSU Mike]

Echo the Caymus. I have a friend ( former boss) here in Chicago that serves it 90% of the time when we watch Steelers games at his home. It's very nice, but I'm much more of a $25 and under guy when I can. We also get 50% off at Gibson's when eat there.

I like Green & Red Chiles Canyon Zin, Tamarack Cellars Merlot, Benmarco Malbec, CSM Indian Wells Merlot & Chardonnay among others.

 

[wbcincy]

Reds- Cabs, Merlots and Shiraz/Syrahs, White - Chardonnay

I should probably try more variety, but those are really all I've drank for the past 10 years.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Re: Brands or varietals?

Originally posted by Jerademan74:
Midnighter: Thanks for these helpful facts. Aside from pairing the right wine with the right meal, what wines are best for just non-meal relaxing enjoyment? My wife and I both like Reislings, but have yet to find a red that doesn't require food to pair with and can be enjoyable on it's own. Any suggestions here? I also find that a get a headache from reds, probably from the tannins.
This post was edited on 4/8 2:24 PM by Jerademan74

the headache is probably from sulfites actually. or drinking too much high alcohol reds

 

[CF LION]

My faves when not paired with food .......

White -- A big oaky California Chardonnay. Pairing them with food can be tricky, so I usually drink my Chards without food. If you want something a bit more refreshing, like on a nice summer day out on the deck or poolside, I prefer Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc to Pinot Grigio, but that's just me.

Red -- It sounds like you are into lighter, less dry wines, so I'd suggest a Sangiovese. These also pair well with tomato based sauces and I love them with burgers. So as we move into the summer months I will be drinking these on my patio quite frequently. But honestly, there is no wine on earth IMHO that is better than a big bold Napa Valley Cab, with or without food. I have memberships with a few wineries in Napa and have wine shipped to me several times a year.

 

[CF LION]

Oh, I forgot to plug the hometown...Chadds Ford Winery .....

....... probably the best of all PA wineries.

 

[mn78psu83]

Re: My faves when not paired with food .......

But honestly, there is no wine on earth IMHO that is better than a big bold Napa Valley Cab, with or without food.

I'll be serious for a change here. My favorite for sure.

 

[Bygsky]

I have become a zymurgyst over the last two years and started making my own wine. Also make beer.

My favorite is probably a Malbec specifically one from the MendoZa region in Argentina. South African and Australian Shiraz is also good. Almost any red that is dry. Whites, I made a great Pinot Gris from Yakima Valley that is aged enough to start drinking. Trempenello from Argentina and Spain are also good.

Currently have a Lodi Ranch Cabernet aging, a Malbec from Argentina aging until my daughter graduates law school in May 2016, and an Australian Shiraz. Next up a Stags Leap Cabernet. My only issue is each batch is 30 bottles and I have hundreds of bottles aging. Guess I will have to give it away or become an alcoholic.

I eat a lot of red meats and BBQ so the heavy bodied reds are preferred.

 

[Cosmos]

Why convert due to age?

Avid bier drinker here but I have been know to dabble in reds. I like Pinot Noir, and Shiraz and your basic Italian red table wine.

Do you feel me?

 

[doublehaul]

Reislimgs, usually Chateau St. Michelle is about the extent of my wine selections. I'm not much into reds.

 

[mattu12]

You have made the most important disclosure

You like "fruity semi-sweet" wines. From there, it's easy to identify the grapes that yield that style of wine.

If you like white wines, I recommend Rieslings--apples, peaches, apricots on the palate. Maybe Chardonnays, though then you have to decide how oak-y you like it (most Chardonnays are aged in oak, different techniques yield more or less oak-iness). In the NE US, Niagara is an often used white grape but that might be too sweet. Many lesser known NE US varietals also tend to have some sweetness, so if you are buying from local wineries you are likely to find something you like.

With a starting point of "fruity and semi-sweet," reds are more of a challenge. Again, if you are buying NE US wines, you are likely to find something you like at a tasting. German reds are my favorite but almost none of it is exported. French Beaujoais good as well. The Italian sweet reds are over the top, at least for me.

Most important advice: find a wine you like and drink it no matter what anyone says about the wine or your drinking it.

This post was edited on 4/8 6:39 PM by mattu12

 

[olelion]

Surprising that no one has mentioned Penfolds "Hermitage Grange".

 

[Jerademan74]

Re: You have made the most important disclosure

Mattu: Thanks for this great advice!

 

[RWCStateFan]

Re: You have made the most important disclosure

White wines: Rieslings are nice for sipping or with food. Chardonnay's are also good for sipping or with food - but some are oaked and some are done in steel. We prefer the oakey ones like Toasted Head, J Lohr, Once Upon a Vine, and Mirasou are good wines at a reasonable price.

We like Pinot Noirs and Petite Syrahs as well as several blends, especially Apothic Red. As many have said, each person has his own tastes and the best way to find what you like is to experiment - and enjoy the journey. Salut!