I am building a progressive wine list and am having some difficulty with where to place certain varietals
If some one could help me with a list of the major varietals of wine and in where they would fall from a light to heavy list it would be greatly appreciated

Do your own homework, Lorraine!! Some help here.........

PH

Always loved the attitude on this site......
I do know the varietals (Thank you though) just having a little trouble with where some would fall on a progressive list

Lorraine- Do your homework. Then, if you have any specific questions, we'll be glad to answer them. The link above gives you 60%. Tasting the ones of which you're not sure, gives you another 30%. The other 10% we'll be happy to help, because the answer will always be "It depends".

If you ask "Which is heavier, Cab or Pinot Noir", you haven't done your homework.

Hi Lorraine,

I am helping another member of the forum with his wine list which the first stage should be completed today. If you can wait a few days I would happy to assist you.

Lorraine- I think I was a bit harsh in my last post. Doing your wine list that way is a great way to present wines, so that customers can have an idea of what they're buying. But if they have questions, you need to be able to answer them. That's the reason for the homework.

Lorraine,
Why don't you contact me at my email address (sandiegowinelady@yahoo.com). That way we don't have to face the criticism of others.

The reason why you asked for help, was to get help. Not be critcized for asking for help (shame on you to reach out to others - giggles). I will get you up and going to your satistfaction in no time.

quote:

Originally posted by Tracy:
Lorraine,
That way we don't have to face the criticism of others.

The reason why you asked for help, was to get help. Not be critcized for asking for help.

You sound like a Southern rep. "Don't worry your pretty little head about the details. We'll come in, inventory your wine & order replenishments. No need to put the vintage dates on your wine list because it's ALL good."

Hi Lorraine,

Progressive lists are great for your customers as well as your staff.

But I guess you're not getting too many responses because your question is so broad. Are there any specific varietals that you need help with?

Cheers!
Gloria

I'm not a wine rep, I am a sommelier in San Diego. I don't understand the hostility because I am offering help. ronmc2 why do you think that vintage dates won't be listed? I am curious with you beef (I am dating myself by using this phrase) because someone is asking for help and someone in turn is offering help.

I have nothing to sell, just some extra time at the moment. Even if I was a wine rep wouldn't it be up to the potential client to say "no"? If Lorraine dosen't like the assistance/advice I am offering she can do what is best for her.

Tracy- I know from the other thread what you do. Read Schoolmarm's answer. I'm sorry, but Lorraine question reminds me of people who want Screagle or SQN at cost. She hasn't offered to do any of the work. And by her question, she doesn't care to. The Damsel in Distress syndrome on this testosterone-laden Website. Anyone who doesn't know wine in a "light to heavy" progression, should hand the job to someone else. Or learn a little bit, so some intelligent questions can be asked.

Rather than taking an entire post to rag on me for ragging on someone else, why didn't you just give her the answers? Or do you, like the rest of us, not really know(yet) what she wants? She's from Long Island. Maybe she wants to know where Chelois fits into the scheme of things.

Ok Agree my post was too broad
I'm working on a progressive list to be put into catagories (do not want a stuffy list) been there done that
@60 listed
catagories to be named as follows
Sparklers
Sweet and Sassy
Crisp and Clean
Rich & Toasty
Fun & Fruity
Smooth & Sexy
Full & Intense
Refined & Elegant
I'm looking to cover as many varietals and regions as possible in a list this size and understand that specific varietals from different regions will fall into different catagories
I like to think that I know a little bit about wine but am no means a sommelier or an expert
Tracy-I'm going to take you up on your offer and e-mail what i have so far(in order to avoid the critics on this site)
Gloria-French wine is my weakest and would like to include the major regions
As to all who assume I haven't done my homework
I'm sorry to have given that impression-Any one who has opened a restaurant (This is my third)...
Just an awful lot going on -and am also finishing up my present job as a wine and spirit account manager for a major distributor
As for the crack about Long Island- Just don't get it??

quote:

Originally posted by Lorraine:
As to all who assume I haven't done my homework...and am also finishing up my present job as a wine and spirit account manager for a major distributor.
As for the crack about Long Island- Just don't get it??

Ladies & gentlemen of the jury, my esteemed colleague Purple Haze & the entire prosecution team, rests its case.

A wine rep that doesn't know "light to heavy", is like a used car salesman who doesn't know how to drive.

Chelois is a grape variety grown in Upstate NY- 150 miles away from LI-the OTHER wine producing area of NY. You know where Upstate is, don't you? Are you sure you're not from NJ?

I smell a troll. It looks like Tracy has some work to do.

-I believe the question i posted was under the Learn Wine catagory-My theory is that there is always something more to learn about wine-And always some one that knows more than the next person. Crazy of me to ask a question especially on a wine forum. As for not knowing light to heaviest with all the variables to consider,I thought that i could get some personal input from the esteemed colleagues here at The Wine Spectator Forum
But its like trying to walk into The American Hotel and presenting Mr Conklin with a wine from upstate New York-So I'm obviously in the wrong spot asking the wrong questions-But, just so you know that there are no hard feelings about the rude comments posted- if you're ever on Long Island (West of NJ-Right? ) I'll buy you the best bottle of Cab Franc our beatiful wine country has to offer and even let you personally critic my list Bet you'll get off on that or just bring your own-No Fee

That's a deal. Thanks.

hey, ron, ease up -- this IS the learn wine forum. no judge or jury here...

i am a big fan of progressive wine lists since they help consumers and servers get a handle on the wine styles.

setting up a progressive wine list is a fun exercise for the board (that's the schoolmarm in me talking). but i believe that we still need some more background info to properly help you.

1. what is the style of your restaurant: formal, casual, in between?

2. what is the least-expensive entree and what is the most-expensive?

3. what is the style/direction of the food?

4. what is your anticipated per bottle price on the list: low, high, average?

5. will the majority of customers be wine-savvy or will they be more on the beginner end of the experience spectrum?

why do i ask? the names of your categories are throwing me off. (yes, the schoolmarm is kicking in here again) i really don't know what a sassy wine is. and what is a fun wine (aren't they all fun)? as for sexy? and can only sexy wines be smooth? (ie, elegant wines can't be smooth?)

they're fun categories, but perhaps they're not the spot-on descriptors that are most helpful. they're high on the cute factor, which makes me (as someone who knows a fair bit about wine, but is certainly not snobbish about it) less likely to trust them. that's not to say that they wouldn't work in the right restaurant -- which is why i asked all those target questions.

looking forward to continuing the exercise.

cheers!
gloria

Honestly I appreciate your more intelligent response to my post but don’t have the time for the critique and ridicule I’m sure to receive from others by answering any of your very valid questions, I thought it might be fun (and maybe I would learn something) to throw out some wines and see where they would land on the list that’s not built on varietal or region but on the style of wine. I just think I’ll go to other resources for ideas and trust my instincts on the rest. All the best

Lorraine-Honey, What's wrong? Can't we talk about it? You know you'd feel better if we talked about it. I'll be over here watching the 7th game of the World Series if you change your mind.

Well Schoolmarm, now you understand the reason I responded as I did. The two males on the thread figured this one out almost immediately. But we're the bad guys. This is the kind of BS married men have to put up with, all the time.

How could you miss it? She wasn't asking for advice. She just wanted someone to listen & acknowledge her wonderful ideas. Purple Haze was the smart one. He just kept reading his newspaper & drinking his coffee. Every once it a while, he'd say "Uh huh....Oh?.. Hmm...Is that right?...I see."

Don't you feel silly being one of the guys on this thread, just trying to help?

Ron you just want another spanking from the Schoolmarm

and what is wrong with needy women....at least you know they are needy up front instead of having it sprung on you like in your case

and if you meet THEIR needs right they can be fun

There is a book out called Wine Style by ewing and Mulligan(the wine for dummies people) that break wine into similar categories as your wine list. It maybe helpful to you.