Let's talk wine

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=KMCMICHAEL;1345065]

Yes, seriously, it is known as fox blood. The contributor and possibly the inventor is posting on this very thread. It is two parts port and one part brandy.

My wife and I do wine tours. The only thing I have learned is that I do not like cool weather reds. But they are fun.

No, I cannot claim to be the inventor of "fox's blood", it is an old and very traditional flask filler from the hunting(British definition of horses and hounds) world. These days whilst the hunting world still use it, the mixture has also moved into the shooting, fishing and point to point circles as well. `It is also a very traditional and effective "tummy settler" for those who may be feeling a tad delicate.

[bdkilted]

I can't remember any names right now, and Kathie has filled the wine rack with new ones we haven't tried before. Next time I'm at HEB, I'll try to remember to write down some that we've have tried and liked.
I like Port too, but I can't afford it so it is usually only once a year purchase for me. Mostly around the holidays.

[Jack Daw]

Andrea and I buy our wines either from Total Wines & More or Spec's. With both, you will get decent recommendations for all sorts.

It's summertime, so I recommend you try a good French or Texas rosé.

[Tobus]

It's summertime, so I recommend you try a good French or Texas rosé.

Is it common to drink wine types by season? I'm seriously a wine ignoramus and don't know all the customs. I mean, are darker reds considered more of a cool weather wine, and lighter ones more tailored to hot weather?

I have had a hard time getting much satisfaction in lighter wines, since they lack the sort of complexity I get from the darker ones. I guess the darker fruit notes, oak, cocoa, and whatever else they tend to use in the bolder reds tend to jump out at my taste buds. And I've long preferred darker, more complex beer and ales over the lighter pilsners too. But I might give a rosé a try. A few years ago, I went through a phase where muscat canelli (from Sister Creek, a somewhat local winery) was my afternoon choice. So maybe I'll take another stab at it. Got any brand-specific recommendations?

With Hurricane Harvey about to roll into Texas and throw some wind and rain my way, I'm planning on spending the weekend in the house. It will likely include some day-drinking. Hopefully, all we will get here is about 30mph winds and less than 6" of rain. But it's enough to stay indoors, drinking wine and playing the fiddle and banjo. A co-worker just gave me a bottle of 2014 Chateau Souverain merlot for my birthday, so I guess I'll crack that open this evening.

[Jack Daw]

Is it common to drink wine types by season? I'm seriously a wine ignoramus and don't know all the customs. I mean, are darker reds considered more of a cool weather wine, and lighter ones more tailored to hot weather?

I have had a hard time getting much satisfaction in lighter wines, since they lack the sort of complexity I get from the darker ones. I guess the darker fruit notes, oak, cocoa, and whatever else they tend to use in the bolder reds tend to jump out at my taste buds. And I've long preferred darker, more complex beer and ales over the lighter pilsners too. But I might give a rosé a try. A few years ago, I went through a phase where muscat canelli (from Sister Creek, a somewhat local winery) was my afternoon choice. So maybe I'll take another stab at it. Got any brand-specific recommendations?

With Hurricane Harvey about to roll into Texas and throw some wind and rain my way, I'm planning on spending the weekend in the house. It will likely include some day-drinking. Hopefully, all we will get here is about 30mph winds and less than 6" of rain. But it's enough to stay indoors, drinking wine and playing the fiddle and banjo. A co-worker just gave me a bottle of 2014 Chateau Souverain merlot for my birthday, so I guess I'll crack that open this evening.

Well, a person's taste is a person's taste. Some ascribe to drinking whites and roses in warmer temps with the heavier red wines in the colder, and some say to drink white with fish and red with beef. I say drink what you like when and with whatever you like. Same with beer. I drink my Warsteiner Dunkel and stouts throughout our Texas heat and humidity. There are really no rules.

I'm just saying to you not to pass up some good wines that are not reds.

[KMCMICHAEL]

Red wines in cooler weather, whites in summer seems to be out preference. I have never gotten into rose.

[Liam]

Tobus.... I am an amateur wine maker and a wine judge, And have been for years. Now judging wine is very different from tasting wine. You judge wine to determine the quality in a particular style as compared to a standard and you taste to determine what you like. My advise is investigate and try different grape varietals. Try Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc etc. and get a sense for what your favour favourites are in different situation and with different foods. Choose in a similar price range. Then do some investigating by learning where some of the varietals are grown in the "old world". Such as Red Burdundy is based on the Pinot noir grape and white Burgundy the Chardonnay.
Buy yourself a good wine education book as a reference.
Depending on how interested you become on the subject of wine it can become a wonderful lifelong endeavour.
Cheers my friend!