Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Mr Kram]

I do now. The name doesn't drudge up a lot of memories, but there aren't many third parties who offer out their services like that.



Mm, don't recall it being that cheap. It was around 40-50 in the early 90s or late 80s. I remember someone introducing it to me. Unlike me, I suspect you're a California native. So you should know the history of how bad wine was prior to the state becoming the defacto developer of new world wines.

Though you've still got a point. There are some vintages of Opus that are cost appropriate, and most that aren't. Arguably, sparkling wines such as Dom Perignon or Armand de Brignac cost what they do because they're so hyped. Best Dom I had were 80s and some early 90s years. Veuve tastes as if your mouth has been stuffed with Brioche.

not a native, but have lived in LA for 30 years now, so definitely a transplant. and yes, hype has a lot to do with it and the people with money are just driving prices up. it starts at the top with the Bordeaux futures being gobbled up by the Chinese billionaires and now even the Russians and middle eastern aristocrats. from there it's just a trickle down effect. this is why I usually only buy stuff I can taste. love finding new releases that are still reasonably priced, before the public demand doubles the price.

 

[0388631]

not a native, but have lived in LA for 30 years now, so definitely a transplant. and yes, hype has a lot to do with it and the people with money are just driving prices up. it starts at the top with the Bordeaux futures being gobbled up by the Chinese billionaires and now even the Russians and middle eastern aristocrats. from there it's just a trickle down effect. this is why I usually only buy stuff I can taste. love finding new releases that are still reasonably priced, before the public demand doubles the price.

Ah. Same boat. I've got more years on you, though. Though from what I gather, California wine was short of prison wine for a long time. I'll say this. I've had the pleasure of tasting fine wine for decades due to relations and now some clients that fit the bill. Who'll gift a terribly expensive bottle thinking it's nothing. A lot of hype is all I'll say. Tangible diversification is great, but not something so fickle like fine wine. It used to be you couldn't get a good wine for under $100, those days are long, long gone. If you ever get privy to see the books for wineries or if they're leaked, you'll see the year-to-year costs are relatively the same with a gradual gain over a 10, 15 and 20 year historic model. Yet the price of wine shot up exponentially, and despite the increasing salary or hourlies of their employees, there's still an insane margin. So, no, I do agree with you on the stupidity of pricing.

That said, I did pick up mixed case of Freemark Abbey wines today. I believe Costco sells a 2012 or 2013 vintage in various sizes, 2 liter being one of them. I'm told the by Freemark that the quality is the same, though it would oxidize faster due to the great surface area and oxygen exchange in the bottle once it's opened. Having said that, I was also there today and saw it in that size or 3 liter. There were a few wines in the 4-5 liter range. As well as their 750 ml range. I'm honestly thinking of getting a bottle or two to drink for our holiday get togethers. The Freemark 2 liter is a steal at around $185 with taxes. They had some Rhone wines I didn't pay much attention to. The Bordeaux were sold out at around $70 a bottle. I'm assuming someone cleaned the crates out because the wine rep told me they'd restocked the area this morning. Bookers and Basil's were cleaned out, too, and those were stocked up two days ago. While people were spending $100-150 last year on Booker's, our nearest location had it for $55-70. I would be lying if I said I didn't clear the shelf out. Once you get over the temporary embarrassment of carting 40 bottles to the register as if you are an alcoholic, you realize how great the deal was.

I don't think I saw any Booker's cheaper than $120-130 last year around this time after news broke. Suntory did go back to previous pricing after the new year, but the damage was done. And prices are higher now than they were then. In all actuality, it looks like Suntory will gradually increase the price over time.

 

[Mr Kram]

Ah. Same boat. I've got more years on you, though. Though from what I gather, California wine was short of prison wine for a long time. I'll say this. I've had the pleasure of tasting fine wine for decades due to relations and now some clients that fit the bill. Who'll gift a terribly expensive bottle thinking it's nothing. A lot of hype is all I'll say. Tangible diversification is great, but not something so fickle like fine wine. It used to be you couldn't get a good wine for under $100, those days are long, long gone. If you ever get privy to see the books for wineries or if they're leaked, you'll see the year-to-year costs are relatively the same with a gradual gain over a 10, 15 and 20 year historic model. Yet the price of wine shot up exponentially, and despite the increasing salary or hourlies of their employees, there's still an insane margin. So, no, I do agree with you on the stupidity of pricing.

That said, I did pick up mixed case of Freemark Abbey wines today. I believe Costco sells a 2012 or 2013 vintage in various sizes, 2 liter being one of them. I'm told the by Freemark that the quality is the same, though it would oxidize faster due to the great surface area and oxygen exchange in the bottle once it's opened. Having said that, I was also there today and saw it in that size or 3 liter. There were a few wines in the 4-5 liter range. As well as their 750 ml range. I'm honestly thinking of getting a bottle or two to drink for our holiday get togethers. The Freemark 2 liter is a steal at around $185 with taxes. They had some Rhone wines I didn't pay much attention to. The Bordeaux were sold out at around $70 a bottle. I'm assuming someone cleaned the crates out because the wine rep told me they'd restocked the area this morning. Bookers and Basil's were cleaned out, too, and those were stocked up two days ago. While people were spending $100-150 last year on Booker's, our nearest location had it for $55-70. I would be lying if I said I didn't clear the shelf out. Once you get over the temporary embarrassment of carting 40 bottles to the register as if you are an alcoholic, you realize how great the deal was.

where are you located out of curiosity? I'm in the SFV. I saw a whole display of 3 and 5 liter bottles this week. Was tempted, but no big events coming up and they are tough to store. for whiskey, our particular Costco doesn't stock much, but they have basil and angel's envy for about as cheap as you can find. for booker's, my local store has it for 60ish. I haven't cross posted much here, but I post a ton of whiskey in the recent purchases thread. most recently, I got a bottle of michter's toasted barrel rye, midwinter's dram, lock stock 13 and I just ordered a Thomas h handy sazerac which hopefully will be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[0388631]

where are you located out of curiosity? I'm in the SFV. I saw a whole display of 3 and 5 liter bottles this week. Was tempted, but no big events coming up and they are tough to store. for whiskey, our particular Costco doesn't stock much, but they have basil and angel's envy for about as cheap as you can find. for booker's, my local store has it for 60ish. I haven't cross posted much here, but I post a ton of whiskey in the recent purchases thread. most recently, I got a bottle of michter's toasted barrel rye, midwinter's dram, lock stock 13 and I just ordered a Thomas h handy sazerac which hopefully will be here in a couple of weeks.

LAC, actually. There's only three stores I go to, not including the Business Center. I saw one bottle that was 5-6 liters from an unknown (to me) winery. If there had been 750 ml examples, I'd have bought one. I have a personal cellar so I'm not worried. I'm not worried about having excess. Wine flows pretty well during the winter for some reason as opposed to other seasons. We had maybe 50 people last Christmas. I bought a really nice single barrel, high proof bourbon last year for Christmas but I can't recall anything about it now. Angel's is alright, a bit too heavy on the vanilla from the aging, though. Five years ago Costco carried Blanton's for dirt, dirt cheap. Cheaper than the cheapest single retailer. I bought dozens of bottles and stored them properly. It's now become overpriced. And last year I learned that the horse figurine on top is different; there's up to 10 different variations. Surprised me considering I'd been drinking the stuff since 2010.

The Japanese whiskies sell like crazy at Costco. The price is good. Price at retail stores is alright. The price in various areas with a high Japanese clientele is ridiculous. The Hibiki is what, $85? I saw bottles being bought for around $140-160. Nikka's products are extremely overpriced and people just buy it from those locations instead of ordering through a small dealer or driving. I'm not sure if it's a cultural issue or a laziness issue of not price checking for better priced product.

 

[Mr Kram]

LAC, actually. There's only three stores I go to, not including the Business Center. I saw one bottle that was 5-6 liters from an unknown (to me) winery. If there had been 750 ml examples, I'd have bought one. I have a personal cellar so I'm not worried. I'm not worried about having excess. Wine flows pretty well during the winter for some reason as opposed to other seasons. We had maybe 50 people last Christmas. I bought a really nice single barrel, high proof bourbon last year for Christmas but I can't recall anything about it now. Angel's is alright, a bit too heavy on the vanilla from the aging, though. Five years ago Costco carried Blanton's for dirt, dirt cheap. Cheaper than the cheapest single retailer. I bought dozens of bottles and stored them properly. It's now become overpriced. And last year I learned that the horse figurine on top is different; there's up to 10 different variations. Surprised me considering I'd been drinking the stuff since 2010.

unfortunately for me, I just got into the bourbon/rye game earlier this year. so I know, I'm paying major premiums. used to drink a ton of single malt scotch, but had a bad experience. since then I've been strictly a vodka drinker for years. but now my old vice of cigars has re-emerged so it's back to whiskey.

wish I had a custom cellar to store larger bottles of wine. as it is, I have to remove a shelf from on of our vinotemps to accommodate a magnum. don't even think a double could fit in there.

 

[0388631]

Thomas h handy sazerac

Saw a bottle of it recently. I forget where exactly. We've been shopping often and earlier this year to avoid the long lines. I wanted to pick a bottle up but wasn't sure what it was like. No service on my phone at the time, either. Let me know!

 

[Mr Kram]

Saw a bottle of it recently. I forget where exactly. We've been shopping often and earlier this year to avoid the long lines. I wanted to pick a bottle up but wasn't sure what it was like. No service on my phone at the time, either. Let me know!

honestly, had a shot at a pappy allocation or buffalo trace antique stuff. website was wonky so all the good pappy sold out early. bought this on a whim. will report back when it comes in.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The closest I can lay hands on that resembles a decent stout where I am: The legendary Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, and very welcome it is, too.

 

[JamesMike]

The closest I can lay hands on that resembles a decent stout where I am: The legendary Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, and very welcome it is, too.

Guinness sounds like an excellent idea.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A glass or three of German Riesling.

 

[0388631]

unfortunately for me, I just got into the bourbon/rye game earlier this year. so I know, I'm paying major premiums. used to drink a ton of single malt scotch, but had a bad experience. since then I've been strictly a vodka drinker for years. but now my old vice of cigars has re-emerged so it's back to whiskey.

wish I had a custom cellar to store larger bottles of wine. as it is, I have to remove a shelf from on of our vinotemps to accommodate a magnum. don't even think a double could fit in there.

Yeah, you lost out. However, there's a lot of 'stray' brands people don't know about because they don't try them or read reviews. It's why there's a lot of cheap-in-price vodkas no ones heard of and dance circles around the premium brands people have come to love.

I bought the house expecting to remodel and add onto. There is a small walk in closet in our home that is cool regardless of the season. We've never been able to figure out why and we had the underside inspected and through the roof. Nothing suggests foul play but it keeps cool year long.

It and the cellar are the coolest rooms year round, even if I drop the home AC zones to the lowest they'll go.

 

[Mr Kram]

going to cross post here since I don't see an active whiskey thread.

my liquor store got their allocation for BT and ER single barrel select. going to try them vs. the regular stuff. admittedly, I'm not a fan of regular BT.

 

[0388631]

Regular BT needs air time in a glass between sips. It's on the spicier side of bourbon, and not the sweeter. Wasn't a fan either. Eagle Rare was alright. It was fifty fifty for me. Whereas something cloyingly sweet like Angel's reminded me of really good brandy, specifically that from Cognac. You drink armagnac and pickup how different it is for a brandy, very quickly.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A perfectly delightful wine from Alsace, a Pinot Blanc.

 

[Mr Kram]

A perfectly delightful wine from Alsace, a Pinot Blanc.

I had a great sauv blanc from loire last friday with some moules frites.

wine delivery came today. 3 offerings from the saarloos wine club and a half case of chilean cab. bought these on a recommendation as a good daily table wine.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I had a great sauv blanc from loire last friday with some moules frites.

wine delivery came today. 3 offerings from the saarloos wine club and a half case of chilean cab. bought these on a recommendation as a good daily table wine.

Looks great.

And, one cannot go wrong with a sauvignon blanc and moules frites.......

 

[Mr Kram]

Looks great.

And, one cannot go wrong with a sauvignon blanc and moules frites.......

Exactly. Can’t go wrong with either. Although I’m not knowledgeable enough to know the difference between a sauv blanc and a Sancerre from the region. My favorite white is a Sancerre with almost anything. Maybe you can can educate me.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Exactly. Can’t go wrong with either. Although I’m not knowledgeable enough to know the difference between a sauv blanc and a Sancerre from the region. My favorite white is a Sancerre with almost anything. Maybe you can can educate me.

Sancerre is a region in (the centre of) France - close to the Loire - which specialises in the production of a wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape; thus, Sancerre is one wine that comes from the Sauvignon Blanc, - distinguished by soil, what the French refer to as "terroir", region, climate, elevation, etc.

While all Sancerre comes from Sauvignon Blanc, obviously, not all Sauvignon Blanc is Sancerre.

But, you - viewing some of your posts elsewhere - love Asian food, and I suspect that Sancerre matches well with quite a number of Asian dishes.

 

[MacNut]

going to cross post here since I don't see an active whiskey thread.

my liquor store got their allocation for BT and ER single barrel select. going to try them vs. the regular stuff. admittedly, I'm not a fan of regular BT.

That looks tasty, we had a whisky thread around here somewhere I thought.

 

[Mr Kram]

That looks tasty, we had a whisky thread around here somewhere I thought.

that thread is dead. last post was in January. if anyone has an objection, I won't post whiskey here.
also, yesterday my wife had a glass of cherry hard cider from Washington Gold. she really enjoyed it.

[doublepost=1510430491][/doublepost]

Sancerre is a region in (the centre of) France - close to the Loire - which specialises in the production of a wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape; thus, Sancerre is one wine that comes from the Sauvignon Blanc, - distinguished by soil, what the French refer to as "terroir", region, climate, elevation, etc.

While all Sancerre comes from Sauvignon Blanc, obviously, not all Sauvignon Blanc is Sancerre.

But, you - viewing some of your posts elsewhere - love Asian food, and I suspect that Sancerre matches well with quite a number of Asian dishes.

thank you for this.

 

[0388631]

I'd rather you post in here, to be honest. Unless you want to post in that other one.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

that thread is dead. last post was in January. if anyone has an objection, I won't post whiskey here.
also, yesterday my wife had a glass of cherry hard cider from Washington Gold. she really enjoyed it.

[doublepost=1510430491][/doublepost]

thank you for this.

What is a cherry hard cider?

Some of the former communist bloc (the former Yugoslavia in particular) had superb cherry brandies, while Belgium has produced some amazing cherry beers.

 

[JamesMike]

Time for a cold Stella.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Time for a cold Stella.

Enjoy the "cold Stella".

 

[Mr Kram]

What is a cherry hard cider?

Some of the former communist bloc (the former Yugoslavia in particular) had superb cherry brandies, while Belgium has produced some amazing cherry beers.

this was an apple hard cider with some cherry in it. I tasted it and it was good. not overly sweet or cherry flavor.