Wine Drinkers

[661-Pete]

When we're in France, we choose exclusively French wine, whether it's good or bad: it's the 'done thing' and most supermarkets have very little shelf space devoted to vins étrangers. And we seek out those from nearby areas - Cahors or Bergerac in our case. But that's just from habit as far as we're concerned, not sure if we're getting the best value here. In UK - we drink very little wine.

Any tips on avoiding the sweet reds - obv. read the label - but last time I bought one, the label was all greek to me (no, really it was all in Greek)

I think the word you might want to look out for is "γλυκος" but I've no idea whether that word can be applied to wine.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Go on then Greedo, recommend me something to get from Sainsburys tomorrow.

Get some nice ales in and stop poncing about with wine!

 

[User169]

Get some nice ales in and stop poncing about with wine!

Wise words!

 

[theclaud]

So Greedo, what makes you think we all buy primarily New World wines anyway? But more to the point, it's surely a bit more nuanced than that? On balance I prefer Old World wines, but you have to admit that they often they don't do themselves any favours when it comes to labelling - banging on about terroir, hiding mediocrity behind reputation and often refusing to admit what kind of grapes are involved. French producers are the worst for this. In short, it's generally easier for people to understand what they are buying with New World wines. Besides, I don't really see why one needs to favour one hemisphere over another for any longer than a bottle takes to drink...

 

[philipbh]

Besides, I don't really see why one needs to favour one hemisphere over another for any longer than a bottle takes to drink...

Unless you worry about Food Miles

 

[theclaud]

Unless you worry about Food Miles

Good point, but way outside Greedo's remit in this thread, I reckon...

 

[Aperitif]

Portuguese red is much overlooked, imho Some very nice ones about...

I agree - there is a Portugese 'specialist' here in Kentish Town. Plenty of good ones and the owner has 'advised' well.


http://www.marksandspencer.com/Tour...r=1-2&mnSBrand=core&rh=n:44107030,n:121996031 Marks & Sparks offering which was nice when I last drank something - about two weeks ago.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Old world only for me, as long as it doesn't mention the grape on the front label...
Most new-world stuff is over-priced Ribena.

 

[User169]

Old world only for me, as long as it doesn't mention the grape on the front label...
Most new-world stuff is over-priced Ribena.

Hhmm, not so sure.

I reckon that the majority of wine from any country is rubbish, but reasonably decent stuff exists in all wine growing nations (with the exception of weirdo countries like England).

Certainly, one benefit of the emergence of New World wine making has been to force European wine makers practice at the lower/mid ranges to raise their game significantly.

Of course the solution is to drink decent beer. For a fraction of the price you can drink stuff of equal quality to all but the very best wines.

 

[Happiness Stan]

So Greedo, what authority do you have to make such statements?

Or is it just your opinion?

Old World wines have been hiding behind reputation for decades now.

 

[philipbh]

So Greedo, what authority do you have to make such statements?

Or is it just your opinion?

Old World wines have been hiding behind reputation for decades now.

Mr Greedo's oenologist credentials are impeccable

 

[TheDoctor]

It's all a matter of degree.
There's some truly terrible stuff from every country, and if you buy wine at the '3 bottles for £10' level you'll soon find it.
There's some which lives on a reputation that isn't really justified any longer - Cloudy Bay from NZ is good, but it's not worth the price, not by a long shot.
Lately I've been drinking more Claret than usual - normally I'm more of a Pinotphile. And no-one makes Pinot Noir quite like Burgundy.

 

[User169]

And no-one makes Pinot Noir quite like Burgundy.

If I could afford it, I'd probably only drink decent Burgundy (assuming I'd run out of beer for some inexplicable reason).

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If I could afford it, I'd probably only drink decent Burgundy (assuming I'd run out of beer for some inexplicable reason).

Run out of beer - how would that happen??!!

Sometimes though a glass of red is nice to keep the system lubricated while you pop the top off your next beer.

 

[User169]

Run out of beer - how would that happen??!!

Sometimes though a glass of red is nice to keep the system lubricated while you pop the top off your next beer.

Exactly!