Hello,

I posted this question in wine conversation forum but it seemed to have disappeared, so I thougth I would post it here. I have been drinking wine for about 5 years now and I would like to expand my pallet. I fell in love with California Cabs and have been drinking them ever since. I would like to dive into the wonderful world of French wines and expand my pallet. My budget would be $100 or less per bottle and I would like to cellar some wines. I am able to purchase Bordeaux futures where I am located so that may be an option, but they are pretty pricey. I will start slow and take it from there.

I guess I would like a starting point with French wines. Can you reccomend some wines from different regions so I can start tasting each region and see which I like or should I stick with one region for a while see what I like from that region and move on later?

Help and suggestions are appreciated.

Cheers.

Hi mcease,

There are sooooo many options, it's tough to know where to even begin. You'll probably want to read a bunch in the main forums about various French wines (ignore all the bickering), or get a good book, like The World Atlas of Wine by Johnson and Robinson. Also, if you can get past the schtick, watch Gary Vaynerchuk discuss various French wines. Browse the subjects here: Clicky.

But, nothing, nothing will substitute actual tasting. Do this before you start buying a bunch of random stuff based on recommendations. If you live near any large city, call around to the big wine shops to find out when their tastings are. They usually ramp up prior to the Holidays, so your timing is good. For a modest fee, you can taste your way through a bunch of French wine to find out where your preferences lie. Aged wines are a bit trickier, as retail tastings don't usually include them. Look for good examples in non blockbuster years like '93 or '94 for Bordeaux. Something like a 1994 Leoville Poyferre or '94 Ch. Talbot will set you back about 50 bucks, and give you a decent reference point. Once you nail down your preferences, do more research, and don't become a slave to ratings.

Events called Offlines are good too. Check out the Off-line Events forum, or on other wine boards for meet ups in your area. Dallas, San Diego, New York, and Chicago have especially active members. I went to a Chicago Italian wine offline this Spring, brought a couple of good bottles, and got to taste about 20 others that I could not have afforded to buy myself. Plus, met and reconnected with some great people.

And, don't think you need to spend big bucks to get delicious stuff. Lots of wonderful things to be had from less popular areas like Vacqueyras, Cahors, Loire Valley for example, often for well under $40.

And, about futures, ignore them for now. The Bordeaux 2006s and 2007s being offered now are WAY overpriced. IMO. Besides, it's a lot of money to tie up in something unless you know you like aged Bordeaux (it's not for everyone). 2005 Bordeaux is hitting the shelves now. If you want, try some Sauternes, or some of the dry whites, which usually taste good, no matter the age.

Good luck, and have fun!

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

Some good advice from IB.

As well, you might want to try some of the wines from the Rhone region of France. Some excellant values to be found there though, like everywhere else, prices are climbing. Review the forum and excellent blogs from James Molesworth, who generously offers up invaluable advice and guidance on this region.

If you're set on experiencing Bordeaux, you'd do well to take IB's advice and attend some offlines. As well, look for good second and third growths. Sociando Mallet, Montrose and many others can be found for reasonable pricing. Keep your eyes out for good sources of aged wines from these Producers. Flickenger, in Chicago is one very reputable source. You'll find some of these within your budget and you have the benefit of tasting these wines properly aged.

Just a couple of quick thoughts.

Thanks for the advise!! I think I decided to try some more California wine and perfect Cali before moving on. (I have been casually drinking California wines - Cabs mostly, for about 5 years now) I never really took it seriously until now. (I finally got the wine bug ) I think I will go to Australia or South America after California and then once I know my tastes there I will move on to France. Any advise on California wines - I have a rough list on where to start, but I am in Canada so not everything is available at the LCBO unless I go to the States to pick some up.

Cheers.

Thanks KSC02. I talk wine every now and then, .

Try:
Paul Jaboulet Parallel 45 Cotes du Rhone about $9.
Pierrre Amadieu Vacqueyras La Grangeliere: $17

Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Villages Les Champauvins: $20

Grand Veneur Reserve, Cotes du Rhone: $15

2005 Chateau de Rochemorin Bordeaux: $26 - $30

2004 Chateau de Barbe Blanche Bordeaux: $20

read: The New France: A Complete Guide to Contemporary French Wine (Mitchell Beazley Wine Guides) @ http://www.amazon.com/New-France-Complete-Contemporary-...id=1223170196&sr=8-1

mcease,

Don't limit yourself. Nobody ever perfects their knowledge of any area. To "perfect" your knowledge implies (to me anyways), that one is inside the head of every winemaker, knows every soil type like a geologist would, knows when a vintner had three of his/her best pickers call in sick, so some of the grapes sat on the vines an extra day. . .you get the idea.

Don't stress about learning an area and then moving on, just go taste some wines, from everywhere. Who knows, maybe the wines of South Africa or Mexico, or Hungary will speak to you. You'd never know it if you didn't go try some. Nobody knows what you might like but YOU! Wine is, after all, about good times and taking a break from the stresses of life!

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

Thanks for the Advice!! I have a lot of wine to taste

Still.

I saw someone mention Sociando Mallet.
Do it.
Taste it in a few different vintages. It's the best qpr you can get in Bordeaux.
If you like it, you're hooked, if you don't then don't bother too much about cabernet sauvignon based blends anymore.

It's as easy as that.

I happen to like Loire Reds. Chinons are excellent. They can age very well and are not expensive at all. Most people do not think about red wines from the Loire. (They are Cabernet Francs -usually 100%)

quote:

Originally posted by Rik:
Still.

I saw someone mention Sociando Mallet.
Do it.
Taste it in a few different vintages. It's the best qpr you can get in Bordeaux.
If you like it, you're hooked, if you don't then don't bother too much about cabernet sauvignon based blends anymore.

It's as easy as that.

Thanks I will give it a try! Maybe a dumb qustions but should I try it right away or let it age a bit.

Cheers.

I totally agree with indybob. Drinking wine should be fun and relaxing. Don't get too hung up on the different regions and needing to distinguish between them. I see that all too often. Some people get way too carried away. I'm one who really enjoys trying wines from different areas. Like an experienced wine dealer once told me when I asked which white wines taste the best, he said "the ones that taste best to you."

Buy a case. Drink a bottle now. Leave the case for a while.
Then try another bottle. In a reasonable vintage the Sociando drinking window will be 15-20 years. So there's no rush. This way you'll automatically notice what's your favorite degree of ripeness of your wine.
If you're lucky to find some or if your wallet can carry it, you can buy an older vintage to speed up the process.

In any other case, you can enjoy many other wines in the meantime. The only real knowledge about wines lies in the tasting.

Be it that I don't agree with Sergio entirely.
And I don't think it was exactely what Indy wrote. Part of the fun is imo in the discovery of differences between cepages (sorry, grapes) and regions. Even between farmers on the same plot.

Go to your local book store and buy some different books that cover wine from around the world and France. This way you are educated about the grape varieties, where they are grown and how to read the labels. I basically read books on the subject for a few years before really spending any money on nice wines.

Sound advice here, thanks.

The Windows on the World wine course book is a good start. Zraly speaks in easy terms about wine.

Buy Clive Coates' book Cote D'Or. Try a few villages in the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. Write down everything that you perceive as traits of the wines..good or bad. Try about 10-15 if you can.

Then go to Rhone Wines, do the same thing. Try different regions within the Rhone area.

Next, try some Bordeaux. The thing is to separate the experiences to allow yourself to appreciate what you are tasting in context of the region.

Good luck!

Ray: Are you going to be in France at anytime between Mid-June till Mid-July? I would love to be in touch with someone who can make some winemaker recommendations. I will travel around France after the VINEXPO Bordeaux this June. Just let me know your e-mail if you will. Thanks.