Alcohol

Port is nom juice.

I love beer.

I enjoy red wines, particularly from Argentina or Chile. Cabernet Sauvignon is probably my favourite grape. But even cheap red wine can be enjoyable but definitetly not the same for cheap white wine - cheap whites are nearly always very very nasty but I don't particularly like white wine anyway.

I disagree completely. Most cheap reds I cannot stand, but I don't mind an inexpensive white. I typically go for local wines, BC has some very nice old vinyards. I like the Chilean wines as well, because they are very well priced for their quality. S. Africa seems to be getting better while staying at a lower price point as well.

I've yet to try a port, I'm hesitant about buying a bottle of something I don't know that I'd like. So few restaurants offer port on their after dinner drink menu. Any recommendations?

I find the store you buy from is a more significant factor than the price or the grape. Most stores/vinters source at least some of their own (or else semin-independent) wines, as opposed to the mass-market labels that are everywhere. If the store is good value, a lot of their wine will often be as well.


For example, here you can pay an awful lot for some distinctly average wine in smaller supermarket chains. If you go to Lidl or Aldi however, you can get perfectly respectable wine for around €5 (to put this in context, you would have to pay around €10 elsewhere for the same quality), and absolutely delicious wines for around €12 (that I would happily pay €20+ for). These chains are massive and have enormous economies of scale, so you get really nice French and Italian numbers for far less than you would pay in somewhere like Tesco (which isn't exactly expensive to begin with).


Of course, you get the most interesting stuff from proper wine shops - especially if you ask for a recommendation - but then you have to pay proper wine shop prices.

I have no idea if I even like wine. I know I don't like red wine, and I've only tasted one other brand which was good, but I have no idea what that was. And I don't really feel like buying a bunch of wine to find out what I like either.

I typically go to wine stores, there's one I like to go to that only has local wines. The woman who owns the shop is incredibly knowledgeable about all the vinyards across the province, and she has amazing recommendations.
Of course here, you can only buy alcohol from liquor stores, so the price of wine is approximately the same no matter where you go.

I have no idea if I even like wine. I know I don't like red wine, and I've only tasted one other brand which was good, but I have no idea what that was. And I don't really feel like buying a bunch of wine to find out what I like either.

You need friends who like wine, then you can try for free. In my case, it was my mother-in-law who is the wine drinker, so she got us into it. I would suggest starting with the german whites, the Reisling and Gewurztraminer, and work your way into the Pinots, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. That's how I did it, and it got me into appreciating the reds.

Well, I don't have any friends who drink wine.

Well, I don't have any friends who drink wine.

Then I'm afraid you may not be in a position to learn to enjoy wine at the moment.

I have no idea if I even like wine. I know I don't like red wine, and I've only tasted one other brand which was good, but I have no idea what that was. And I don't really feel like buying a bunch of wine to find out what I like either.

For red wines a Claret is a solid choice. Chablis is a decent white as well.

I was fairly drunk that time I tasted the wine I liked, but I'm guessing it was some kind of white wine. Maybe I should just try some cheap white wine just for the heck of it.

I was fairly drunk that time I tasted the wine I liked, but I'm guessing it was some kind of white wine. Maybe I should just try some cheap white wine just for the heck of it.

Probably. I know pretty much SFA about wine other than the above post, it's not a favourite of mine.

White Russians and beer.  But mostly beer.

I was fairly drunk that time I tasted the wine I liked, but I'm guessing it was some kind of white wine. Maybe I should just try some cheap white wine just for the heck of it.

Cheap white will probably taste like lolipops. I'd advise looking for something dry.

Quote from: Mugthulhu on February 12, 2012, 11:06:54 AM

I was fairly drunk that time I tasted the wine I liked, but I'm guessing it was some kind of white wine. Maybe I should just try some cheap white wine just for the heck of it.

Cheap white will probably taste like lolipops. I'd advise looking for something dry.

I'd also suggest possibly making sure that the wine's sweetness is a 1. It will make it more palatable for beginners without being sickeningly sweet.

A friend of mine had champagne at her place, left over from something. We had a glass and it tasted like sick. To be fair she did warn me it tasted kinda awful.

A friend of mine had champagne at her place, left over from something. We had a glass and it tasted like sick. To be fair she did warn me it tasted kinda awful.

Ewy, left over champagne. Do you know how old it was?

Quote from: Colonel Gaydafi on February 12, 2012, 05:10:11 AM

I enjoy red wines, particularly from Argentina or Chile. Cabernet Sauvignon is probably my favourite grape. But even cheap red wine can be enjoyable but definitetly not the same for cheap white wine - cheap whites are nearly always very very nasty but I don't particularly like white wine anyway.

I disagree completely. Most cheap reds I cannot stand, but I don't mind an inexpensive white. I typically go for local wines, BC has some very nice old vinyards. I like the Chilean wines as well, because they are very well priced for their quality. S. Africa seems to be getting better while staying at a lower price point as well.

I've yet to try a port, I'm hesitant about buying a bottle of something I don't know that I'd like. So few restaurants offer port on their after dinner drink menu. Any recommendations?

Well Taylors is a common brand that you can't go wrong with. Don't get a vintage if you can't be arsed with decanting (its a pain). I had a really nice port at christmas, will see if I can find the case for it later and check the name.

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on February 12, 2012, 11:24:19 AM

Quote from: Mugthulhu on February 12, 2012, 11:06:54 AM

I was fairly drunk that time I tasted the wine I liked, but I'm guessing it was some kind of white wine. Maybe I should just try some cheap white wine just for the heck of it.

Cheap white will probably taste like lolipops. I'd advise looking for something dry.

I'd also suggest possibly making sure that the wine's sweetness is a 1. It will make it more palatable for beginners without being sickeningly sweet.

Okay, thanks for the warnings. I don't like sweet stuff. Well, I don't know about wine, but at least that's why I hate almost all liqueur.

If you're going cheap then I find whites are safer. A bad white wine tastes like grape juice whereas a bad red tastes like vinegar.

My drink of choice changes regularly. It used to be dry ciders, then I went through a rum stage, now I quite like beers. There is a great little pub near where I live which serves hundreds of foreign bottled beers and ales, including a deadly 12% Belgian monster.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=father+jack+toiletduck&mid=05B6F1A9AFE6B12F43A205B6F1A9AFE6B12F43A2&FORM=LKVR Toiletduck gets my vote.

Quote from: EnigmaZV on February 12, 2012, 11:33:04 AM

I'd also suggest possibly making sure that the wine's sweetness is a 1. It will make it more palatable for beginners without being sickeningly sweet.

Okay, thanks for the warnings. I don't like sweet stuff. Well, I don't know about wine, but at least that's why I hate almost all liqueur.

A sweetness of 1 is just enough to take the edge off without making it seem like you're drinking juice. I would not go above a 1 unless you're cooking with it.

Quote from: EnigmaZV on February 12, 2012, 08:13:58 AM

I've yet to try a port, I'm hesitant about buying a bottle of something I don't know that I'd like. So few restaurants offer port on their after dinner drink menu. Any recommendations?

Well Taylors is a common brand that you can't go wrong with. Don't get a vintage if you can't be arsed with decanting (its a pain). I had a really nice port at christmas, will see if I can find the case for it later and check the name.

I have a decanter, so decanting is no problem.

Then go for a nice vintage


I guess the cheap red wines they sell here aren't as bad as what they sell elsewhere. There's a limited choice but I buy one of the cheapest ones and its yum.

Then go for a nice vintage


I guess the cheap red wines they sell here aren't as bad as what they sell elsewhere. There's a limited choice but I buy one of the cheapest ones and its yum.

I'm not saying cheap reds are no good, you're just more likely to get a bad wine the cheaper it is. I find bad whites more palatable than bad reds.

EDIT: I'd also like to add, that barring 3 or 4 of my favourites, I rarely try the same wine twice.

Can't go wrong with Two Buck Chuck.

If you're going cheap then I find whites are safer. A bad white wine tastes like grape juice whereas a bad red tastes like vinegar.

My drink of choice changes regularly. It used to be dry ciders, then I went through a rum stage, now I quite like beers. There is a great little pub near where I live which serves hundreds of foreign bottled beers and ales, including a deadly 12% Belgian monster.

Drinking a 10% Irish Stout right now.


As for wine, seriously, I wouldn't get too caught up in red vs white vs grape. You need to be willing to experiment a little. It shouldn't cost that much or anything, but get some cheese and a reasonably priced (i.e less than €10, more than €4) bottle of wine. Taste, enjoy, change, repeat. Don't be safe. I hate to sound elitist, but if you want to like what you drink, don't buy the mass-market stuff. It really is lowest common denominator and is often overpriced. Go for wine that sounds interesting, and experiment.

Quote from: Chris Spaghetti on February 13, 2012, 08:14:23 AM

If you're going cheap then I find whites are safer. A bad white wine tastes like grape juice whereas a bad red tastes like vinegar.

My drink of choice changes regularly. It used to be dry ciders, then I went through a rum stage, now I quite like beers. There is a great little pub near where I live which serves hundreds of foreign bottled beers and ales, including a deadly 12% Belgian monster.

Drinking a 10% Irish Stout right now.


As for wine, seriously, I wouldn't get too caught up in red vs white vs grape. You need to be willing to experiment a little. It shouldn't cost that much or anything, but get some cheese and a reasonably priced (i.e less than €10, more than €4) bottle of wine. Taste, enjoy, change, repeat.

I agree with what you are saying but some wines go better with different foods, at different times, moods etc.  I actually think a lot of thought should be placed on white or red, and the specific type in regard what food, mood is etc.  If you don't match it carefully it can make a good wine actually feel like it tastes bad.  FOr example beer is good, but have beer and chocolate and it just isn't pleasant.  Granted, this takes skill, particularly to get refined, but it is worth considering.

I have a few favourites that I can fall back on but when trying a new wine I tend to research it a little to see what foods it goes with etc. Well when I say 'I' I mean the Bloke, he's the fussy one. I just like to drink. But not anymore, no booze since a little after New Year

Quote from: Aytron on February 12, 2012, 11:53:19 AM

A friend of mine had champagne at her place, left over from something. We had a glass and it tasted like sick. To be fair she did warn me it tasted kinda awful.

Ewy, left over champagne. Do you know how old it was?

Not the first clue. But Blue Moon's winter ale is awesome, on a different alcohol note.

Okay, so I cluelessly bought some white wine today for 7.69 €. The labels in the store didn't say anything about the wine's sweetness with numbers, but it said "half dry", so I don't know what that means in relation to the sweetness being, let's say 1, as Enigma mentioned. I noticed four variations, those being Sweet, Half Sweet, Half Dry, and Dry. So, I'm guessing a sweetness of 1 is equivalent to either halft sweet or half dry.

I haven't opened the bottle yet so I don't know what it tastes like, but the labels says:
Espiritu de Chile
2011
Chardonnay Gewürstraminer
This Chardonnay Gewürztraminer blend displays a vibrant yellow colour in the glass. This harmonious wine offers aromas of rose petals, apricot, lime and some spicy notes. On the palate, this round wine is soft and balanced and medium in body. An ideal match for spicy food.

Doesn't sound too bad to me, but what the hell do I know? I guess I'll find out when the party starts.

Ideal drinking temperature 8-10°C. So I should probably but it in the fridge.

I agree with what you are saying but some wines go better with different foods, at different times, moods etc.  I actually think a lot of thought should be placed on white or red, and the specific type in regard what food, mood is etc.  If you don't match it carefully it can make a good wine actually feel like it tastes bad.  FOr example beer is good, but have beer and chocolate and it just isn't pleasant.  Granted, this takes skill, particularly to get refined, but it is worth considering.

Oh, if we're talking about drinking it with food or without, then yes, the grape and/or colour is very important. In fact, the grape is also quite important if you're drinking it on its own, as big reds are much less enjoyable on their own.