The Official Wine Thread

[Piobaire]

As long time thread subscribers know I have a cordial relationship with the biggest wine distributor in my part of the state. Every once in awhile, say 2-3 times a year, I get a text he's got a case of samples for some nominal amount, usually around $20. A few years ago two bottles of this was in one such case and I never thought I'd actually drink it...I mean, Syrah from Greece? Well Sunday I popped it to go with homemade lasagna and it was actually quite nice. Not a fruit or oak bomb, tannins well integrated, and this bottle alone was worth the $20.

 

[erictheobscure]

greek wines are a mystery to me. all i know is that every now and then i find a $20 bottle that's really surprisingly good.

 

[jcman311]

As long time thread subscribers know I have a cordial relationship with the biggest wine distributor in my part of the state. Every once in awhile, say 2-3 times a year, I get a text he's got a case of samples for some nominal amount, usually around $20. A few years ago two bottles of this was in one such case and I never thought I'd actually drink it...I mean, Syrah from Greece? Well Sunday I popped it to go with homemade lasagna and it was actually quite nice. Not a fruit or oak bomb, tannins well integrated, and this bottle alone was worth the $20.

View attachment 1146802

That's a first for me and I've seen a lot of bad greek wine.

 

[Piobaire]

When it comes to Greek wines the most common one I see is Assyrtiko. It seems to always be on the BTG list of new(ish) somms. I figure that's because it's the only Greek wine on the first two somm tests. It's a cool thing though, grows on Santorini, and they train the vines into a nest looking thing to protect the grapes from the harsh winds and weather.

The other one is Retsina. It has tree sap in it and that's all that comes to mind about it.

 

[erictheobscure]

retsina is vile

 

[Piobaire]

Speaking of vile wine I've still got a $100 bottle of Vin Jaune I need to offload onto somebody.

 

[Principle]

Pre spring vacation champ!

 

[Piobaire]

As Malbec found its true home in Argentina my call is in 10 years we'll see Tannat found its place in Paso.

 

[Omega Male]

 

[Piobaire]

Forgot to mention that G2 Vineyard above is Justin Smith's (Saxum) newest. Needless to say great grapes.

OM, I love Bien Nacido.

I can't recommend this maker enough. His wines drink young and are always plush but not overly oaked.

 

[Omega Male]

****, another one for the long list ...

 

[Principle]

So we attended a tasting at Almamezcalera with Erick and I figured this thread would appreciate the terroir driven spirits the most. We tasted 23 different mezcals, including some more experimental batches that were distilled with various animals as well as a peyote based medicinal/spiritual bottling. There was a mezcal based on fifty year old agave, single site. What a range of flavors that can come from what I thought was a one trick pony in the US. The tasting took about three hours and is highly recommended.

 

[Principle]

 

[Omega Male]

Mexican wine!



Sticking to local product here.

 

[Piobaire]

In the last couple of years we've had some fairly drinkable Mexican wine from Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California. Understandably it is readily available in San Diego, so we have some last time we were there, and then again when we were in the Cancun area. It makes sense that particularly Garnacha and Tempranillo would find a home there.