Renniemist Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 We had a Graham Beck Pinotage from South Africa this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I really like the Graham Beck wines. I think some of them are excellent (as is his sparkling "champagne"). We were staying about 3 miles from the winery when we were in Franschoek over New Year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I had a grim Greek wine last night. Best avoided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I don't think I've ever tasted any Greek wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 I have .... once!! But some are supposed to be OK (trying to be fair) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 What would you guys recommend for someone that doesn't know the first thing about wine? I don't like overly sweet, and do like a bitter taste. I don't think I like dry wine. Just wondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Red or white Pontalba? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Red or white Pontalba? Hah, now there you've got me...I think a red or a ros Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 I really like the Graham Beck wines. I think some of them are excellent (as is his sparkling "champagne"). We were staying about 3 miles from the winery when we were in Franschoek over New Year. Andy we stayed in Franschoek in Le Quartier Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Andy we stayed in Franschoek in Le Quartier Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hah, now there you've got me...I think a red or a ros Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Are you serious? I was staying at Quartier Francais on the nights of 2nd, 3rd and 4th Jan. That is such a coincidence. We arrived about lunchtime on the 3rd having come from Hermanus. We ate in the bistro on our first evening and in the Tasting Room on our second evening. We had a full days wine tasting (with a driver) on the 4th so were not around the hotel a much as we would have wanted. Ideally we would have liked to stay there longer. We did have a wonderful lunch on the terrace of the Grand Roche at Paarl on the day we left. I feel quite nostalgic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Ah. Oops. There I go being an idiot. Sorry. We weren't staying at Quartier Francais, but somewhere else with a French name (Manoir de Brendel - not that great). We did eat at the bistro at Quartier Francais, after despreately trying, but failing miserably, to get into the tasting room. The best meal in Franschoek was at Le Petit Ferme, which was just above Hautes Cabrieres, on a glorious road which went over a lovely pass and into a national park area. The best wine was probably at Warwick, where all the wine was fantastic; although Boukenhootskloof (if I've spelt that right) was also impressive - we love their "Chocolate Block". The whole winelands area was brilliant, as was Constantia on the Cape. - Was the tasting room as good as it was meant to be? It has an amazing reputation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 What would you guys recommend for someone that doesn't know the first thing about wine? I don't like overly sweet, and do like a bitter taste. I don't think I like dry wine. Just wondering. I would recommend a light rose frizzante. We have a local one called Gellewza Frizzante, but unfortunately I don't think you can try that. It is quite light, and fruity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Well I'll stray from the pack and say that most "new" wine drinkers that want a red can safely start with a Merlot. Merlots are smooth and really easy on the undeveloped wine palette. From there you can venture in many directions depending on your preferences. A couple of easy to finds Merlots that are good are Coppola's Diamond and Toasted Head. Both are from California and are reasonably priced. Salut' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Thanks Dogmatix, I'll try one of those. I've written them on my list. Maureen, I should have mentioned I don't care for combination tastes, such as one thing that has a fruity taste. Just a peculiar quirk of mine, but thanks. Louise, what is shiraz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I'll agree about Merlot. As a grape variety it makes smooth, fairly easy to drink red wines. Sort of full, and fruity, I'd say. Shiraz is a grape, like merlot, Pontalba. (It's called Syrah by the French, but they're the same thing). Shiraz is fairly accessible, I think, but it's generally much bigger and bolder in terms of flavour, and you tend to get blackcurrenty kinds of tastes. The most famous of the French shiraz wines are Cotes du Rhone ones like Chateauneuf du Papes, but it's safer, and probably better (until you're spending a bit more), to drink Australian shiraz . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 The best wine was probably at Warwick, where all the wine was fantastic. The whole winelands area was brilliant, as was Constantia on the Cape. - Was the tasting room as good as it was meant to be? It has an amazing reputation. The Tasting Room is excellent. The food is very good and well presented. They have an option for you to have 8 courses with a different glass of wine at each course. We opted to have just 4 courses after our day of wine tasting but we thoroughly enjoyed everything. We also thought that Warwick was great wine. I only hope we can go back someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I'll agree about Merlot. As a grape variety it makes smooth, fairly easy to drink red wines. Sort of full, and fruity, I'd say. Shiraz is a grape, like merlot, Pontalba. (It's called Syrah by the French, but they're the same thing). Shiraz is fairly accessible, I think, but it's generally much bigger and bolder in terms of flavour, and you tend to get blackcurrenty kinds of tastes. The most famous of the French shiraz wines are Cotes du Rhone ones like Chateauneuf du Papes, but it's safer, and probably better (until you're spending a bit more), to drink Australian shiraz . I just know that I'm more of a white drinker but I do like New World Shirazes!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Pontalba, I know that you mentioned red wine but let me also suggest that you try a white wine. For a person strarting out in wine I would suggest that you try a Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett from Germany. If you find that you don't care for whatever wine you try, don't give up. Once you start to like wines you will find that they are one of life's great enjoyments, along with good food, books, and music. Oh, and also art. I did some wine shopping today: At Total Wine: ....bought 6 bottles of Vinho Do Monte - $8.99 a bottle ....bought 1 bottle of Aveleda Vinho Verde $7.29 a bottle (already had a few bottles) At World Market: ....bought 7 bottles of Vina Alarba - $6.99 a bottle (the Vina Alarba is one of the great wine bargains - Robert Parker gave it a 90 rating - it sells for $10.99 bottle at Total Wine and is a bargain even at that price) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I have added it to my list muggle. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 Ok pontalba, lets get with it. Have you done any wine shopping yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Not yet. I've only been to town once, twice and didn't have a chance either time to check it out. But I will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I wonder if I can order it online...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Any one tried Trivento from Argentina? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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