so let's talk about wine

[Guest]

 

[midwestyankee]

I decided to use the energy created from my frustration to spend the next 3 hours taping and mudding drywall in my soon-to-be new office. Amazing what you can accomplish when you have some energy and crank up the classic rock station on the radio.

Do you do basements?

 

[Guest]

 

[M's girl]

So, I'm at home cooking, my wife gets home from work about 5:30, asks what we're having, I told her ravioli & garlic bread, and she said "oh, I'm not really up for that tonight" and proceeded to reheat some homemade mac & cheese she had made (could you see the smoke coming out my ears from your house?) I could have really used the wine at that point.

She chose mac-cheese over ravioli & garlic bread ?

 

[midwestyankee]

I'm in my basement right now and I want outta here. I haven't really done any finish work down here but I might some day. I'm thinking of putting some of my shop tools down here and expanding my woodworking skill set (and tool set) on one side. The other side is recreation space right now and will stay that way, but it's not finished, and will probably stay that way because I pay enough property taxes as it is (NH doesn't have income or sales tax but we have very high property taxes.)

Woodworking, eh? Sure you're not my long-lost twin?

 

[Guest]

 

[borg3of4]

Generally a full bodied red drinker here. Merlot or Cab. Sav. Lately ,I have been on a Shiraz, or Petite Syrah kick. Easy access to a Trader Joe's for lots on really good aussie wines ,at great prices. All good for dinner,hot tub ,even chips and salsa.

Since this is Lit. . Johannesburg Reisling is best should you find your self in a hot sensual encounter. (Read ;good Fuck wine). That said, Asti Champagne (not to be confused with Asti Spumante (slight grimace) is also good for said hot date.

Dessert wine. Late Harvest Riesling or Late Harvest Gerwurtzaminer. Also there are some great ice wines around.

Summer picnic. Or on the deck. Sangria.

 

[SweetErika]

Any opinions on Madeira and/or Marsala? I'm new to both of these, and would like to have a bit of knowledge prior to buying.

Our liquor stores have the following, though I'm happy to take and try to track down other recommendations:
PAUL MASSON MADEIRA
COLOMBO SWEET MARSALA-ITALY
FLORIO SWEET MARSALA ITALY

(They also have dry versions, but I'm partial to off-dry to a little sweet)

 

[borg3of4]

Hi Sweet
Oh what ever you do save some of the marsala for cooking .

Chicken Marsala. OMG. To die for. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on your first Madeira. You are either going to hate it or like it.

 

[SweetErika]

Hi Sweet
Oh what ever you do save some of the marsala for cooking .

Chicken Marsala. OMG. To die for. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on your first Madeira. You are either going to hate it or like it.

Okay. Are you a Port drinker? If so, how does Madeira compare?

 

[borg3of4]

Okay. Are you a Port drinker? If so, how does Madeira compare?

We have ten bottles of port. I just went and counted them . It made me curious. Since I know I haven't bought any in at least three years . I would say I am a Port storer ,more than a drinker. Laughing. it's funny because i just opened one a bottle of Port from a little winery that specializes in Ports and it really is good sipping. I only remember one glass of Madeira with dessert at a friends "wine night". To me ,it tasted like a strong Moscato, a little sweeter. But by then after having wine with appetizers,two different wines with dinner and then dessert and the madeira,(and maybe a toasted bowl or two),I wouldn't be a good judge.

If the Lit get together ,gets together,we can sample.

 

[SweetErika]

We have ten bottles of port. I just went and counted them . It made me curious. Since I know I haven't bought any in at least three years . I would say I am a Port storer ,more than a drinker. Laughing. it's funny because i just opened one a bottle of Port from a little winery that specializes in Ports and it really is good sipping. I only remember one glass of Madeira with dessert at a friends "wine night". To me ,it tasted like a strong Moscato, a little sweeter. But by then after having wine with appetizers,two different wines with dinner and then dessert and the madeira,(and maybe a toasted bowl or two),I wouldn't be a good judge.

If the Lit get together ,gets together,we can sample.

I wish I was a better storer! I'm trying to collect bottles of the Whidbey's 2000 Vintage right now, but they're so good that I keep turning to them on these cold, damp nights. You might be interested to know Trader Joe's has a great one called Delaforce (I'm partial to Ruby, and haven't tried their Tawny) for $7.99. It's good for drinking now--20% but without the bite of younger, inexpensive brands-- but should be amazing in another few years. So, I'm trying to drink that instead of my beloved Whidbey's right now.

Is the "little winery that specializes in Ports" in our area? Seeking out NW Port producers is one of my new hobbies. I don't love everything at Hinzerling in Prosser, but their White Port, Cream Sherry, and several others are to die for, and I love the small, family run operation. I think we may go over for their harvesting party next October.

 

[borg3of4]

The little winery that specializes in Port is in Spokane. Knipprath . I love Trader Joes and will take your advice (already written down). My theory on wine buying is always buy twice what you need. Three if you can afford it. At Trader joes those numbers multiply .

I'm trying to get my Whidby winery bearings. I think I have been there ,or driven past there and seen the sign.

 

[SweetErika]

The little winery that specializes in Port is in Spokane. Knipprath . I love Trader Joes and will take your advice (already written down). My theory on wine buying is always buy twice what you need. Three if you can afford it. At Trader joes those numbers multiply .

I'm trying to get my Whidby winery bearings. I think I have been there ,or driven past there and seen the sign.

We've been to Knipprath, but in 2001 when we were at WSU. I think they had flooded, everything was a mess, and there was this elegant old lady with some kind of accent running the tasting room. She talked and talked, and poured and poured, forgetting and insisting we taste the things we liked multiple times...we had to sit in the car for quite sometime after that! I can't recall the specific tastes though, so we'll have to take a little trip to Spokane to try all of them again! Are you in that area (bad memory)?

I've looked, but can't find anything on Whidbey's online. So, if you find it pleeeeeeease let me know. You may want to look up which of your local stores has the 2000 Vintage left on the liquor dept.'s site and give it a try...we've had a lot of different Ports, and I believe this is underpriced by about $40. My dad buys a case every other year or so, it ages very well (some, like Badger Mt/Powers don't), and makes a fantastic, inexpensive gift.

 

[midwestyankee]

We've been to Knipprath, but in 2001 when we were at WSU. I think they had flooded, everything was a mess, and there was this elegant old lady with some kind of accent running the tasting room. She talked and talked, and poured and poured, forgetting and insisting we taste the things we liked multiple times...we had to sit in the car for quite sometime after that! I can't recall the specific tastes though, so we'll have to take a little trip to Spokane to try all of them again! Are you in that area (bad memory)?

I've looked, but can't find anything on Whidbey's online. So, if you find it pleeeeeeease let me know. You may want to look up which of your local stores has the 2000 Vintage left on the liquor dept.'s site and give it a try...we've had a lot of different Ports, and I believe this is underpriced by about $40. My dad buys a case every other year or so, it ages very well (some, like Badger Mt/Powers don't), and makes a fantastic, inexpensive gift.

You make the Whidbey's port sound like gold. Any chance that they might export to the evil midwest?

 

[borg3of4]

We've been to Knipprath, but in 2001 when we were at WSU. I think they had flooded, everything was a mess, and there was this elegant old lady with some kind of accent running the tasting room. She talked and talked, and poured and poured, forgetting and insisting we taste the things we liked multiple times...we had to sit in the car for quite sometime after that! I can't recall the specific tastes though, so we'll have to take a little trip to Spokane to try all of them again! Are you in that area (bad memory)?

I've looked, but can't find anything on Whidbey's online. So, if you find it pleeeeeeease let me know. You may want to look up which of your local stores has the 2000 Vintage left on the liquor dept.'s site and give it a try...we've had a lot of different Ports, and I believe this is underpriced by about $40. My dad buys a case every other year or so, it ages very well (some, like Badger Mt/Powers don't), and makes a fantastic, inexpensive gift.

Laughing . She is still there. If you go during the week plan on talking and drinking a lot. Lately she has been wearing Tight black leather pants and she would fit in well with the lit crowd. Good to know about The Powers Port. I have at least two.Guess I had Better start drinking. I live in Spokane area ,wife in Seattle area. Back and forth a lot. That's how i get to Trader Joes.
I had another glass of that Port in the hot tub last night. It was snowing and Quiet and peaceful and I just loved that Port. I have to thank you for jogging my memory. Maybe it is good a winter drink. it gives you that warming feeling all the way down . It sure was good.

 

[SweetErika]

You make the Whidbey's port sound like gold. Any chance that they might export to the evil midwest?

Missed this one. I don't know how far out of state it gets, but I might be willing to port with a bottle in the next few months.

 

[SweetErika]

Laughing . She is still there. If you go during the week plan on talking and drinking a lot. Lately she has been wearing Tight black leather pants and she would fit in well with the lit crowd. Good to know about The Powers Port. I have at least two.Guess I had Better start drinking. I live in Spokane area ,wife in Seattle area. Back and forth a lot. That's how i get to Trader Joes.
I had another glass of that Port in the hot tub last night. It was snowing and Quiet and peaceful and I just loved that Port. I have to thank you for jogging my memory. Maybe it is good a winter drink. it gives you that warming feeling all the way down . It sure was good.

That's so cool! You know, I believe the last time we were there was the day we got engaged. Now we'll have to get back to Knipprath soon. I just remembered we have a place to stay in Moses Lake that'll make for a pretty convenient weekend.
I agree it's a good winter drink. I always start craving it around mid-October when the weather turns, and forget about it after April. I don't think I've had anything else besides Port and wine (Winco has had a couple of good German wines for less than $5 lately) since New Years.

 

[silverwhisper]

OK, folks, i'm looking for more suggestions for winter wines. cabs & merlots i know about but i'm looking for alternatives. anybody?

ed

 

[midwestyankee]

Missed this one. I don't know how far out of state it gets, but I might be willing to port with a bottle in the next few months.

You'd be willing to port with some port? How generous.

 

[Guest]

 

[silverwhisper]

you should expect a fairly good balance b/n sweet/dry, IIRC.

and why do you still have champagne in your fridge in february?

[trout-smack!]

ed

 

[Guest]

 

[silverwhisper]

you might want to consider making mimosas when the weather warms. :>

ed

 

[Guest]