STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bebegirl020 · BCBG

Wine

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I had some Syrah for the first time (I think the same as Shiraz but depends on the region its from) and I really liked it! I am not a big fan of heavy, dry wines like merlot, this was fruity and light enough to enjoy. Wish I remembered the brand.. think it was from Napa Valley.

Kelly · Hermes

This isn't a red, but my absolute favorite wine ever is Elk Creek's Kentucky Blue Vidal Blanc. It's about $15 and I always keep multiple bottles in my house because I'm not sure I could go on without it. And it is definitely drinkable, there's no sipping in my house :)

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

My favorite reds are some of the Spanish reds -
Tempranillo and garnacha

Malbec is often a nice red to try

Syrah is a good choice (I don't like Shiraz)

Sauvignon Blanc is usually my fave white

Pinot Gris (esp the one by King Estate (Oregon)) is nice too

I can't remember all my faves right now, but here are some
-King Estate Pino Gris
-Three Saints Syrah
-Santa Ema Merlot
-Gouguenheim Malbec

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

I am a big fan of Reisling. I can never remember the name of my favorite one (I just know it is in a blue bottle and I get it from Famous Liquors), but I also like the one called Relax. They sell it at Target and it is seriously like $7. It is really fruity and crisp. I'm a big fan. I could drink a whole bottle by myself (and I have, HA!).

A nice second from Reisling for me is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. I am more of a white girl than a red girl, but I think it is because I am also into the fruity taste and I don't like drinking anything at room temp.

Elle · Hermes

I like both whites and reds, and for white I like Rieslings like Farrah. Good for sipping, good with food, not too heavy, not too sweet.

For reds I really like red zinfandel. I'd always figured all zins were that pinkish color, but the red (old vine) varieties are really nice. My favorite is Renwood - I get it at costco for $13-ish? Also very smooth, good for sipping or with food.

And then if we're really slummin' it, I like peach Arbor Mist

. But don't tell anyone I said that ... but it's light and fruity and not too sweet and by golly it's only $4 a bottle! Don't knock it 'til you try it's all I'm sayin'.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

Mmm, I'm a big fan of Riesling as well. I've also been enjoying the Roses this summer. So light, crisp, with just a hint of fruity, and chilled! I'm so glad to see them coming back into fashion - they've only begun serving roses by the glass at fancy pants restaurants in the area in the past year or so.

For reds, I am a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE fan of any and all Malbecs. I never liked red wine until I started drinking Malbec every day in Argentina. Love, love, love.

NCshopper · Hermes

One of our newest faves that we discovered this summer is Vinho Verde. It's a white wine that's got a bit of effervesence, but not as much as champagne. It's light, fairly fruity, and lower in alcohol content than most other wines. It's perfect for drinking during the day on a nice weekend.

Suasoria · Chanel

In what price range?

There are some Cabs that I'd describe as "fruit bombs" - Fife, Mount Veeder, Flora Springs, Pine Ridge, Whitehall Lane, Melka C.J. - these are in the $25 and over range.

For inexpensive wines, here are a few we serve a lot of - all under $12 or so.

Christian Moueix - they call it a Merlot, but it's a Bordeaux blend by a winemaker whose claim to fame is the incredible "Dominus."
Lava Cap El Dorado American River Red
Peachy Canyon Incredible Red
Ravenswood Sonoma Zin - they also make Napa and Lodi versions, but I think Sonoma is best)
Bonny Doon/Ca' del Solo Big House Red - a blend of Italian grapes.

I've been liking Sicilian reds lately, and Lambrusco, which is an Italian sparkling red served chilled. I used to think it was cheap junk, but I found one at Trader Joe's that is relatively cheap and not junk.

If you're a cab fan you probably aren't a pinot noir fan, so instead of burgundies you might like Rhone blends (Chateuneuf du Pape being the most desirable AOC) and reds from the South of France.

Edit: yes, I'm a huge wine dork. Sorry.

-- Edited by Suasoria at 01:22, 2008-10-03

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i wonder if you'd like a pinot noir? it's lighter and less heavy than a cab... i'm partial to california pinots, but there are lots from oregon that are great too. they may be a bit more expensive than the average cab or merlot. someone mentioned if you liked cabs, you may not be a fan of pinot noir; this may be true for you, but for me, it's the mood i'm in, what i'm eating (if at all) and the weather. i think weather may be the most important factor in "my world". the last thing i want to drink on a 90 degree humid august evening is a cab; but i may not want a sauvignon blanc, so i'll go for a pinot noir. we have a wine fridge that keeps everything at around 55 degrees, so it's still refreshing. if i want white, i'll move a bottle to the normal fridge for about 20 minutes.

i think you could go buy a bunch of different wine in whatever price range you choose, and just drink away.

this sounds a bit nerdy, but i have a wine journal to help me remember what i tried and it's details. we have been trying so many, it's difficult for me to remember what i had, what year it was, what i was eating while drinking, and what i liked about it. it really has helped.

-- Edited by tara t at 10:07, 2008-10-03

-- Edited by tara t at 10:08, 2008-10-03

-- Edited by tara t at 16:40, 2008-10-07

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

Farrah wrote:

I am a big fan of Reisling. I can never remember the name of my favorite one (I just know it is in a blue bottle and I get it from Famous Liquors)

I LOVE Reisling. And I think I like the same one Farrah is talking about, it comes in a blue bottle and I know the one I like has a big sunburst on the label. I get it a Jewel.

I also really like the Ecco Domani brand for the Pinot Grigio and their Merlot. I hate dry red wines too, so their Merlot is really good when I want something heavier then a white. http://www.eccodomani.com/ I get this at Jewel too, I think it's like $10 a bottle. You can probably find it anywhere.

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

The only wine I ever buy is Riesling. I believe the one that the other gals mentioned is Schmitt-Sohne. It comes in a cobalt blue bottle and there are a few varieties. The website is: http://www.schmitt-soehne.com

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I really like white zinfandel. Barefoot wines makes a really good one.

penguininaboat · BCBG

Tempranillo as was sad isn't necessarily fruity but it is very smooth and drinkable. Malbecs can be strong or fruity, but lots of them are pretty cheap. I would also ditto the idea about Pinot Noir as its is sort of a less strong cab. Some Shiraz are pretty fruity, you may want to try that.

Miss Mabel · Kenneth Cole

I third the recommendation for a pinot noir. You might also try a grenache, as someone else suggested -- not necessarily fruity, but really nice!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I also love Reisling (the one we buy is dragonstoen, I believe)
For red, I like Syrah/ Shiraz

And as a sweeter dessert wine, Sauternes is awesome. Especially paired with chocolate. *dies*

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Beaujolais Nouveau is fruity and red. It comes out every fall around Thanksgiving and is pretty likable. Georges Duboeuf is a popular one that is easy to find - its always in a pretty, floral bottle. The bottle design changes from year to year...

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

My little 3-year-old niece, Phoebe, asked me recently, "Alisa, do you like wine?" I said, "yes, I do." She stopped, turned and looked at everyone at the dinner table then exclaimed, "Alisa LOVES wine!"