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Post by Anne on Jul 2, 2007 10:27:19 GMT -5
Sorry for those who don't drink here, but this is an important subject that shouldn't be missing on a French forum ... To begin with, I am not a wine connoisseur . My husband is, and when I think about the money that he already spent on his two huge wine fridges and the bottles that go in it, I cannot help and think of all the useful things that he could have bought instead . Like jewels for me, for example ... Anyway . I am not fond of Bordeaux . I prefer Bourgogne and Côtes du Rhone (Guigal is a very good producer there) . I don't like dry whites at all . I love Gewürztraminer, which is a rather sweet Alsacian white . But my favourite ever wine is Muscat de Beaume de Venise, from the South-East of France : very sweet white, but nothing like Sauternes or Montbazillac (I don't like those), it is, it is .... like a perfume heaven ... It is not very commom, you have to go to wine shops like Nicolas to find it . It is quite cheap though, something like 10 euros I think . You drink it from the fridge (it tastes too sweet otherwise) for apéritif or dessert . Aaaah ! Now Truffaut, you're bound for Nicolas !
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 2, 2007 10:40:06 GMT -5
Well, together Anne and I might be able to drink the wine shop dry! I always prefer reds (except for champagne, of course) and typically Bordeaux -- favorites would include any good-year St Emilion or St Juilen (or similar) grand cru (especially, when the lottery winnings start piling up -- LOL, as if! -- Chateau Pavie or Chateau Figeac). I really don't drink whites much (once in a long while, a really buttery chardonnay, but given the choice I would always prefer a "big red"), although a Monbazillac is good (IMO) with foie gras or similar specific dishes. So, as I'm going to drink the reds (and champagne) and Anne is going to drink the whites -- what's everyone else going to do? ;D
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Post by sistereurope on Jul 2, 2007 10:53:11 GMT -5
I love red and white and even rose!!! ;D I'm afraid (as I've posted before) I'm not real up on my French wine terminology so it's hard for me to give specifics. I know that in CA terms my favorites are a nice heavy cabernet, cabernet franc or a red zin. Sometimes I'll have a Pinot but I have to be in the mood. For white, I also like a buttery chardonnay Becky, and lately I've been drinking some nice sauvignon blancs. But when I was in Paris some of my faves were Burgundy wines like a Chateauneuf de Pape and my favorite white was a Mersault. But I also had some Cahors that I was fond of. And some from Southern France. And now I think that I may have had some from Bordeaux that I liked. I do like a good Sauternes, but Anne I also like Muscat so thanks for the recommend. I think that I asked this before and so I apologize if someone already answered, but it there an easy correlation between the CA terms and the French regions? That might make it easier for me to chose wines when I'm in France. So yes Anne, I agree, it is a very important subject that requires much study - preferably a great deal of hands-on experience.
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Post by Anne on Jul 2, 2007 11:14:26 GMT -5
Sister, it is true that CA, South Africa or Australia use the name of the grapes while France uses the name of the places where the grapes were grown, although French wine makers now begin to write the name of the grapes too to make their wines more "marketable" abroad . I don't know the correlation, but I can ask hubby if you have any specific question . Oh, and I forgot to say that I don't like Champagne very much Sorry ... But then when we have Champagne for apéritif with guests, then I also get a bottle of Muscat de Beaume de Venise and then everyone is on the Champagne and I have the bottle of Muscat just for myself ;D
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 2, 2007 12:10:01 GMT -5
Anne and sistereurope -- if you enjoy Muscat, have you ever tried Essencia? It's from California (may be produced other places by now, not sure), not very expensive, but has a natural orange flavor (not added, it just happens that way). It's like a dessert wine that isn't super sweet, and actually is quite nice served really cold on a hot day.
I think (but don't hold me to this) that the Bordeaux wines mostly correspond to cabernet and cabernet franc in California, but I'm not sure about blending the two, i.e., whether that's permitted if the wine is A.O.C. "bordeaux" (although blending these two, and sometimes adding merlot, is common in California).
Anne -- with the champagne you might enjoy a variation on kir royale, using a raspberry liqueur (I usually do this using a less fancy champagne -- don't do this with really good one, or the die-hard afficionados will strongly suggest that you should be pilloried!).
sistereurope -- for a good and reasonably priced red zin, try some of the Rosenblum wines. I also like zins, and we have had very good luck with theirs.
Okay -- we need input from some of those who really know French wines!
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Post by phread on Jul 2, 2007 12:38:51 GMT -5
<<I think (but don't hold me to this) that the Bordeaux wines mostly correspond to cabernet and cabernet franc in California, but I'm not sure about blending the two, i.e., whether that's permitted if the wine is A.O.C. "bordeaux" (although blending these two, and sometimes adding merlot, is common in California).>> Most AOC wines are a blend of several grapes (varietals). It is for this very reason that wine appreciation is so confusing between the two cultures. A good bordeaux, say a Smith Haut Lafitte, may be a blend of 35% Merlot, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 2, 2007 12:45:57 GMT -5
Thanks, phread -- that undoubtedly explains why (since I always love "big" California reds) I really love the Bordeaux best of all!
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Post by Anne on Jul 2, 2007 12:53:02 GMT -5
Becky, I missed Essencia in California , had never heard about it . And kir is just slightly better for me than Champagne ...
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Post by sistereurope on Jul 2, 2007 12:56:06 GMT -5
Yes, Becky, I've had Essencia...I like it very much. And although we missed going to Rosenblum for a tasting when we were in CA, I've bought some of their zins here (in fact, I have one at home right now). Perhaps you could PM me and fill me in on some of you other favorite CA wines and I'll fill you in a bit more on our discoveries when we were in Sonoma in April...
And to both Phread and Becky...I've heard that Bordeaux wines are more for Cab lovers and that the Burgundy's are more Pinot-like...but it must be in the blending 'cause I actually had some great Burgundies and as I mentioned, I'm not really a Pinot fan. Or perhaps it truly is all about le terroir! In any event, it looks like it's harder to really find a co-relation than I first thought.
I suppose that my only answer will be to sample as many French wines as I can so that I can find my favorite. It's all in the research, wouldn't you agree?? ;D
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Post by iank9 on Jul 2, 2007 13:43:49 GMT -5
Hi, Just back from a thoroughly wet weekend on the Yorkshire moors, comforted of course by a glass or two of wine on an evening, and then I look onto the forum and find this thread. Perfect! White wines we like the flint dry whites of Sancerre, and Pouilly-Fume, and the more rounder Chablis wines. In particular we like the wines of Jean Marc Brocard, and William Fevre. The Touraine Sauvignons are also a favourite and we particularly enjoy a tasting or two in the caves around Amboise. Anne. when we were on holiday near Colmar we really enjoyed the dry Riesling wines, one in particular from Riquewihr. Red wines, tends to be my favourite, and I enjoy big Aussie reds in particular. A favourite is the D'Arenberg Reds from South Australia, an Old Vine Shiraz, or as its known in France Syrah. In Western Australia, I like in particular the Jingalla Reds, from a region known as Mount Barker. Visiting the Loire, we enjoy a slightly chilled Chinon, and enjoy the wine route around Panzoult and Cravant. There are many producers keen to let you taste their wares! In particular we enjoy Daniel Chavaux at Cravant, and in Chinon itself, the wines of Couilly Dutheil, where I have several bottles of the 2000 Clos d'Echo vintage in our wine fridge! Champagne, we again enjoy following the wine route to our favourite producer, Delozanne in Serzy-et-Prin. Three years ago we had a wine tasting with four couples, each bringing two bottles of Champagne, ranging from Pol Roger, Tattinger, Billecart-Salmon and Moet, and four from unknown local producers. A blind tasting followed, and the Delozanne came out on top. Very creamy, lots of bubbles! Anne, we both enjoy a glass of Muscat de Beaume de Venise. We were introduced to this an Auberge/Logis just outside of Poitiers. Our favourite desert wine however has to be Elysium Californian Black Muscat. Chilled, it tastes of turkish delight/oranges/scented roses! Santé!
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Post by luckyluc on Jul 2, 2007 15:23:10 GMT -5
Anne, it is nice to know that I would not be embarassed if you showed up this afternoon at our house, there is a bottle of Muscat de Beaume de Venise in the fridge. Next to it an other bottle of Pineau des Charentes and to keep them company a bottle of Pommeau. I find that the Pommeau from Normandie goes very well with blue cheese and pears.
What I like the most in France is the fact that one can get very affordable wine, where in Canada we must paid small fortune for sort of decent wine and on top of that the governement taxes on wine and spirit is very high (12%)
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Post by Anne on Jul 2, 2007 23:43:08 GMT -5
Luc, I have exalted you for your good taste
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 2, 2007 23:47:06 GMT -5
I love to see how everyone gets so excited when they talk about wine. Unfortunately, I can't participate in this thread (except for this short post) because all this wine talk is Greek to me. ;D
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 3, 2007 0:27:35 GMT -5
Anything pink is pretty. Almost anything, anyway.
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Post by GitteK on Jul 3, 2007 0:41:32 GMT -5
Piper Heidsieck champagne, cuvée brut - in generous quantities "à votre discretion"
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 3, 2007 0:52:14 GMT -5
Hey.......how about grape juice that looks like wine? Does that count? ;D
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Post by Truffaut on Jul 3, 2007 4:00:51 GMT -5
Anne, how is it possible not to like champagne I don't have a particular favorite, because it depends too much on what I'm drinking it with. Sometimes, I want the toasty ones with fine bubbles, and at other times a nice soft, buttery champagne with giant bubbles gently floating to the top. Mmmmm... I like whites, but definitely prefer reds. As to which red in particular, that also depends on what I'm having it with. Guigal makes a very good Cotes du Rhone that is very well-priced and goes with nearly anything.
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 3, 2007 4:18:29 GMT -5
Uh oh! Now the boss probably thinks I'm weird.
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Post by Happygoin on Jul 3, 2007 6:23:46 GMT -5
Ah Shoesy...I think that ship already sailed...but don't worry. You and I can be the designated drivers
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Post by geordy on Jul 3, 2007 8:20:53 GMT -5
Adore Champagne..but of course!! As for the rest of it..depends on the food, or lack of, weather, circumstance etc. I like the availablity, and prices, of sancerres, red and white, in Paris cafes. Well really the range of good wine you can get by the glass or pichet or half bottle! Then of course if you want to blow the budget....its all there!!
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