I can't believe there's not a wine thread in here! As much as I love it and Michie is actually now part of the friggin' industry, please take this opportunity to suggest something tasty for my palatte! I'll start with a nice article I found on CNN:

Easy Tips for Wine Pairings
When planning your next gathering, remember these rules of thumb for sublime food and wine selections
Stephen and Inez Ribustello, the wine-savvy couple behind On the Square restaurant in Tarboro, North Carolina, recently collaborated with D.C. designer Deborah Winsor on the offerings at a creative dinner party. The Ribustellos suggest these guidelines for pairing food and wine.

· There is a wine for every flavor. Do not be afraid to try something exotic with the menu (like the Guinness-flavored mousse dessert listed below) because you don't think there is a wine out there to match. You can always find something delicious to complement any dish.

· Spicy food loves semi-sweet wine. "That's why we paired the oysters and chipotle aioli with the Alsatian Pinot Gris," says Inez.

· Sparkling wine or Champagne is very food-friendly. Do not be afraid to pair food with bubbly -- it is often the most successful match.

· Use common sense when matching. Since lobster loves butter, a rich, buttery, toasty Chardonnay is great; fish loves lemon, so pair it with a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc; lamb loves mint and spice, so try a meritage from St. Emilion or Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.

· Do not be afraid to ask your local wine store for help. "That is why we live," says Inez. "We love to give advice and to help find the perfect match for you and your guests."

Specific wines to follow...

I am desperately in love with RoxyAnn winery's Claret . Obsessively so. I would totally go to the prom with it and make out with it under the bleachers. I haven't tried the 2005 yet, but the 2004 was what I called gulpable.

I think when we get our tax refund, I just might get myself a couple of bottles of the 2005.

~Ang

I'm absolutely in LOVE with the 2005 Bien Nacido Vineyard SMV Pinot Noir, from Santa Maria, CA (available at www.alapaycellars.com). Strong enough to stand up to strong foods, yet silky smooth to drink on its own. I have a bottle waiting for Michie (or you, Ang, if you can find your way down here).

For Buck and Topless, I have a chilled bottle of Thunderbird waiting...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Freddy,

quote:

Originally posted by Freddy:
For Buck and Topless, I have a chilled bottle of Thunderbird waiting...

Ouch..... Ahh well, vinophile is definitely not on my resume and probably won't ever be.

although a prefer a shiraz most times. i will say ive always been very impressed with anything from chalk hills or for that matter. stonestreet makes a very nice merlot. and penfolds has some very good wines. (stonestreet was the very first 100 point merlot. )

cheers!
and if you drink wine.
remember to swerve carefully
N.

We love New Age wine.

https://www2.ibgcheckout.com/quintessential/images/cont..._750_375_Bottles.jpg

We are blessed to have several very good local vineries (by local I mean w/in 25 Miles, one only 5 miles, 1 as the crow flies). I doubt they will have much of a national distribution (Naked Mountain is one). I typically will by local wines.

I was walking through a local large grocery looking for Virginia wines and there was not a one to be found. I was very diappointed that this local grovery did not carry local wines. But there is a store in the local town that sells local wines, as well as micro-brews and is also an office supply store. So in essence you could buy all the supply to close your book AND the office holiday party in one trip.

Oh jeez, of course I find this just as I am planning to head out the door for erranding. I feel compelled to at least acknowledge I have seen this. And will comment a little later. After I plan my trip to LA LA Land to sip some of that 05 Bien Nacido with Freddy and Eddy...

since moving to new mexico, we're really into discovering new mexico's finest.....the search is neverending!!! yeeehhhaaawwwwww!!

the best so far... Pinot Noir Gruet Syrah

I love wine although I know very little about it in terms of different regions, grape types, what makes up the points that are used to rate them. Drink almost exclusively reds. All I know is I love the taste and usually wake up in the morning looking for my panties

My all time fave is Shafer but also drink a lot of Frogs Leap, Rodney Strong, Aquinas, and La Crema. Do like some of the Australian stuff, Greg Norman, Rosemount Estates Reserve. Shafer Merlot 2002 is to die for and we have a case of 1999 Cab we are saving for a very special occasion.

I am a big Red drinker as is SL,

I love a nice Australian or South African Shriaz, one of my faves has to be bloodstone...or for every day sippin good Propriators Reserve Selection from Ontario.

Not too much into the whole wine thing.. but yeah.. the one Ang is ready to leave me for is pretty good. Now start a Guinness thread and I'm all over it.

~Ranger

A friend and I went to a flower show this past Friday. At the show was a local winery, and we bought several bottles. Let's just say, all of them were consumed the same evening. Sooooo good! They're based out of Arkansas, but very good.

http://www.wiederkehrwines.com/

quote:

Originally posted by CelticsRanger:
Not too much into the whole wine thing.. but yeah.. the one Ang is ready to leave me for is pretty good. Now start a Guinness thread and I'm all over it.

~Ranger

Ranger, now you are talking!