For The Love Of Port

We have done the "favorite" now it is to find which grape or wine type you really find as a turn off, and why.

Merlot, cab, sauv blanc, and chardonnay from California.

95% of Syrah/Shiraz I don't like.

manishevitz

Stewart T. wrote:manishevitz

Wow, LOL


I'd have to say most Chardonnay. Simply because most are over oaked butter bombs that I can't stand. Granted there are some that aren't and which I enjoy, but they are few and far between.

Chardonnay here too. I don't know if this is because I perceived it to be trendy years ago, and prefer to go against the grain, or because I really just don't enjoy drinking it. And I like oak, but in my reds please.

Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Malbec...

So many garbage wines are made from these grapes that it is a turn off to even hear a wine has them.

Stewart T. wrote:manishevitz

You mean Concord Grape or Alderberry?

Moses Botbol wrote:Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Malbec...

So many garbage wines are made from these grapes that it is a turn off to even hear a wine has them.

I always call Pinot Grigio the most boring grape. I don't love it, and I don't hate it. It just does nothing.

I've had good and bad Malbec. I think if they keep the ABV down, it can be pretty good. For me, it has always been one of the hardest wines to pair with food.

I think Zin has become too Californicated, for lack of a better description. I've enjoyed some Italian Primitivos, so I know it's not the grape.

I should re-phrase that I do not like the grape, but rather the average wine that is made from them. I am sure there are example wines made from each of my choices, but my decisions were based on the most general of terms.

I'd have to say most Chardonnay. Simply because most are over oaked butter bombs that I can't stand. Granted there are some that aren't and which I enjoy, but they are few and far between.

Andy,

Although California does have a few well known oak-averse winemakers for Chardonnay, like you said, they are few and far between. I would strongly suggest you try the William Fevre versions of Chablis (vs. Raveneau and Duvissat which are GREAT producers but also like oak) whereas Fevre let's the fruit speak for itself and does a really fine job. Seek out 2000, 2002, 2004 as really top vintages for super and affordable Chablis. It is quite affordable, with steely minerality and wonderful acidity ... with a chalky, limestone soil that adds great character.

I have lots of least favorite grapes. My #1 least favorite grape is probably Mission, but it's not very common to find it made into wine any more. As for current grape that is widely used: Tempranillo

It doesn't matter where it is from or how much it costs. I've had scores of bad California Tempranillos, and I've bad multitudes of bad Spanish Tempranillos. I've even had a $150 bottle of Tinta de Toro Tempranillo which was bad. Some seem to like it, and it is not for lack of trying on my part, but that is one varietal that just misses me.

Roy Hersh wrote:I would strongly suggest you try the William Fevre versions of Chablis (vs. Raveneau and Duvissat which are GREAT producers but also like oak) whereas Fevre let's the fruit speak for itself and does a really fine job.

A local B&M had those at rock bottom prices for a while and I am fan. They have something at every pricepoint that I found to be a good value. Funny, some of the oaky CA Chard. drinkers I know do not like it much. Have one bottle left.

Bryan Robinson wrote:As for current grape that is widely used: Tempranillo

Now on this I must disagree. I had one California Tempranillo that was a real eye opener, a good number of Spanish ones, and I think Tempranillo is one of the reasons I like Port so much. Now my experiences are limited, and I do wonder if it is starting to suffer as a fad grape.

Roy Hersh wrote:

I'd have to say most Chardonnay. Simply because most are over oaked butter bombs that I can't stand. Granted there are some that aren't and which I enjoy, but they are few and far between.

Andy,

Although California does have a few well known oak-averse winemakers for Chardonnay, like you said, they are few and far between. I would strongly suggest you try the William Fevre versions of Chablis (vs. Raveneau and Duvissat which are GREAT producers but also like oak) whereas Fevre let's the fruit speak for itself and does a really fine job. Seek out 2000, 2002, 2004 as really top vintages for super and affordable Chablis. It is quite affordable, with steely minerality and wonderful acidity ... with a chalky, limestone soil that adds great character.

Thanks. I've just recently bought a bottle of 2002 William Fevre from my brother to try. Let you know how it goes when I pop it.

Which vineyard designation?

Roy Hersh wrote:Which vineyard designation?

Oh heck, now your getting technical with me let me check....it's a 2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote de Bouguerots

Andy Velebil wrote:

Roy Hersh wrote:Which vineyard designation?

Oh heck, now your getting technical with me let me check....it's a 2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote de Bouguerots

Oh good--none of that Vaudesir or Preuses crap. (Is this the icon for I have no idea what I'm talking about?)

Eric Menchen wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote:

Roy Hersh wrote:Which vineyard designation?

Oh heck, now your getting technical with me let me check....it's a 2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote de Bouguerots

Oh good--none of that Vaudesir or Preuses crap. (Is this the icon for I have no idea what I'm talking about?)

Eric,
No idea...then again, I have no idea what Vaudesir or Preuses is either

Eric Menchen wrote:

Bryan Robinson wrote:As for current grape that is widely used: Tempranillo

Now on this I must disagree. I had one California Tempranillo that was a real eye opener, a good number of Spanish ones, and I think Tempranillo is one of the reasons I like Port so much. Now my experiences are limited, and I do wonder if it is starting to suffer as a fad grape.

I read the other day that it was now the 4th or 5th most planted grape on the planet, so lots of people must like it. I just don't get it.