Tim Brown 
Grape Destemmer
Posts: 76
 | | 06-02-2004 08:49 PM |
| Hi!
The name's Tim and I just happened to stumble across your site and was just blown away.
As you'll soon see...I'm very new to the wine world.
I enjoy many different wines, but really have no idea about pairing wines with foods (beyond the standard reds with meat... white with pasta and seafood(for the most part))...all I know right now is what tastes good to me and my newbie palette.
What I'd like to know are:
A) What would be a good book as an intro guide to wines, wine tasting and food pairing.
B) As I do find that I prefer the Merlot's and Cabernet Sauvignon from the South America and Australian regions, what might someone suggest trying from other areas?
Please understand that I'd be looking in the $10-$30 range for now.(Have a new mortgage to pay off!  )
Any hints, suggestions..ideas would be much appreciated. | | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5573
| | 06-02-2004 09:01 PM |
| Welcome aboard, eh? I hope you enjoy your time here, and don't feel bad if your wine expenditures suddenly start to exceed your mortgage payment. Before we try to lead you to specific wines, can you give us an idea as to which Canadian monopoly liquor control organization you've got to deal with? Perhaps then our resident Canadians can tell you what to look for at your specific store(s). For reading, many people suggest the book "Wine for Dummies", although my pride would never allow me to read that or any other book that insinuates I'm a dummy  . Perhaps time spent at the Wine Spectator web site would be beneficial to you -- they've got lots of good reading if you click on the links going down the left side of the page. | | | Cheers, y'all | |
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ormbee
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2397
| | 06-02-2004 09:01 PM |
| CC, Welcome. Post often please. Are you located in Canada?
Look through the food threads to get ideas on pairings. As far as books go, the newbie book I really enjoyed was Wine For Dummies. Easy read, touched on most of the major topics.
Look forward to others from the board answering your other questions. I am relatively new to wine also, so I always learn a lot from questions like yours.
As far as other wines to try, since you like Aussie CS, how about Shiraz? You can also find decent Bordeaux in your price range, as well as Rhone wines.
Are there any white wines that you know you like? German Reisling at the Kabinett and Spatlese level are damn tasty and inexpensive.
Again, welcome, come back often | | | |
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ormbee
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2397
| | 06-02-2004 09:02 PM |
| That's funny Stemor. I guess I don't mind if people think I am a dummy. | | | |
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Rothko
Palm Beach
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5723
| | 06-02-2004 09:07 PM |
| Welcome to Vinocellar! | | | |
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rickym13
los angeles
Wine Thief
Posts: 2908
| | 06-02-2004 09:23 PM |
| Welcome CC! Here is a fun site for wine/food matching. Nothing serious but fun.... www.eatdrinkdine.com | | | |
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Tim Brown
Grape Destemmer
Posts: 76
| | 06-02-2004 09:28 PM |
| I'm from the Toronto area so I get to deal with the LCBO here. I didn't want to get too broad with the wines that I have tried...but here's a sample of some of the ones that I've tried and if this helps anyone suggest something along my tastes(the more suggestions the merrier)
Wolf Blass (all that I've tried in reds and whites...CS(Yellow), Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz(Brown))
Penfolds CS 2001
Hardy's & Son CS Calina Merlot Reserve 2001 (any thoughts on this one?)
Santa Carolina CS, Chardonnay 2001
Masi Campofiorin, Valpolicella, Soave Classico
As well as a number of Niagara region wines (have to support the home front)
Oh and anything I can get my Dad to crack open from his little collection
hmm...wines for Dummies?..well I can't deny my lack of knowledge.... | | | |
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Jhawkwino
Grape Sorter
Posts: 264
| | 06-02-2004 10:16 PM |
| Welcome CC!
I think the Windows on the World "Complete Wine Course" (or something like that) is a great book. Very easy read, and a good basic explanation of all of the major wine regions.
I won't try to suggest too many wines, since I know availability can be very different north of the border. I will say that Penfolds does a pretty good job at all price ranges (although I'd probably avoid the lowest end). | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 06-02-2004 11:08 PM |
| Howdy, Cc. I'll tell you what I did eons ago. I went to the library and read every reference book on wine they had that seemed appropriate for me. Read the threads on food here for some ideas on pairing. Ask a question if you have a partticular food or wine you want to match and people here will be happy to help. Also check the tasting notes for ideas on wines to try and don't hesitate to ask what they cost. We all do. | | | |
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Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2194
| | 06-02-2004 11:39 PM |
| Welcome aboard, CC. If you are just starting out or if you are a wine-geek, this is a GREAT site to learn about wine. The knowledge of the folks who post here is awesome. Happy posting! | | | |
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Budman
Philly Suburbs
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 23705
| | 06-02-2004 11:41 PM |
| Cc... Welcome to VC. One of our esteemed forumites (Futronic) is also from Toronto, and he knows EVERYTHING about Italian wines. Perhaps he'll chime in here before too long and suggest an off-line. | | | |
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Tim Brown
Grape Destemmer
Posts: 76
| | 06-03-2004 04:05 AM |
| Thanks for the Website suggestion Rickym13...I checked it out and it very quickly tosses aside my so called idea of what wines are normally paired with what food.
I think that site is going to be a big help...
Thanks for the welcome all.. | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13785
| | 06-03-2004 01:12 PM |
| There's a great cookbook called 'The Wine Lover's Cookbook', check it out and see what dishes they suggest to pair with what wines. Very interesting. You don't even need to buy it, just go find it in the local book shop and flip through. However, I do heartily recommend it as I have made many of the recipes in that book and they were all super. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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Budman
Philly Suburbs
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 23705
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13785
| | 06-03-2004 01:58 PM |
| Quote:
TJ... I take it you spend a lot of time at the book shop reading that book!  
Laugh a minute, aren't ya?   | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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Budman
Philly Suburbs
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 23705
| | 06-03-2004 02:02 PM |
| I just thought that maybe wine probation isn't your only one.
Are you on 'book probation' too? | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13785
| | 06-03-2004 02:03 PM |
| I am the Whipping Boy of VinoCellar.  No, the book is most excellent. BUY IT! | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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Tim Brown
Grape Destemmer
Posts: 76
| | 06-03-2004 02:17 PM |
| Is it the.....
The Wine Lover's Cookbook: Great Meals For The Perfect Glass Of Wine
Author: Paul Franzmoore
?? | | | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3214
| | 06-03-2004 02:33 PM |
| Quote:
Cc... Welcome to VC. One of our esteemed forumites (Futronic) is also from Toronto, and he knows EVERYTHING about Italian wines. Perhaps he'll chime in here before too long and suggest an off-line.
budman,
Thanks for the kind words, but I think they are a little generous.
Tim,
Glad to have another Canadian, Ontarian, and Torontonian on the forum! Welcome!
As budman eluded to, I drink a lot of Italian wine, but I also drink some stuff from Australia and the Rhone in France (with a bit of stuff from other regions for good measure).
The first thing to do is acquaint yourself with the LCBO Stock Search engine. It will help you locate wine in the city without having to pull your hair out and go store to store. I've included the CSPC numbers for anything I've recommended below.
Another thing is to not pass go, not collect $200, and go directly to the Vintages sections. The quality of Vintages products tend to be much higher than those from the general list. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find very good wine on the GL shelves. The way I see it, if you can pay the same money for a better wine, why not? Also, the vintages product reps in the stores are very good. Don't be afraid to talk to them and tell them what you've liked in the past, or what you're having for dinner, and to ask for recommendations. They're usually quite friendly.
In the upcoming June 12th Vintages release (basically the LCBO has two releases per month on Saturdays (every two weeks or so) with up to 150 new products. Not all stores get all products, unless you go to the big stores like Summerhill, Queen's Quay, Bayview Village, etc.), try some of the following:
Whites:
#925743 - 2003 Catena Zapata Alamos Chardonnay, $13 (Argentina)
#995746 - 2002 Weingut St. Urbans-Hof Riesling QbA, $14 (Germany)
#627075 - 2002 Castellucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico, $12 (Italy)
#995902 - 2002 Inama Chardonnay, $17 (Italy)
#948158 - 2002 Roberto Anselmi San Vincenzo (Soave, but it doesn't say it on the label), $15 (Italy)
Reds:
#984021 - 2001 d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz, $20 (Australia)
#922062 - 2001 Quinto di Valpantena Valpolicella Ripasso, $17 (Italy)
June 26th release:
Reds:
#954008 - 2001 Vina Carmen Merlot Reserve, $17 (Chile)
#994616 - 2001 Terra d'Aligi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Tatone, $15 (Italy)
#411892 - 1999 Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva, $15 (Italy)
As for stuff that's available now, try these:
#995696 - 2001 Leone de Castris Negroamaro, $17 (Italy)
#937276 - 2001 Grant Burge Cabernet Sauvignon, $22 (Australia)
#738567 - 2002 Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz, $17 (Australia)
#728451 - 2000 Montirius Vacqueyras, $22 (France)
#995548 - 2000 J.L. Chave Mon Coeur, $22 (France)
I think that's a good start. Try a few here and there and let me know what you think. As a note, those Italians from the June 26th release are a little rustic in nature, and not everyone likes them.
Hope this helps! | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13785
| | 06-03-2004 02:36 PM |
| Quote:
Is it the.....
The Wine Lover's Cookbook: Great Meals For The Perfect Glass Of Wine
Author: Paul Franzmoore
??
I think Paul Franz-Moore is the photographer (says Paul Moore on my copy). Sid Goldstein is the actual author.
Here's alink to go buy it. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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