Vino vs. beer

I have certainly enjoyed wine in my life. Irrespective of the cost issue, I prefer beer because I have never been good with detecting subtle differences in any of my senses really. Consequently, I found beer drinking to be a far more interesting and enjoyable experience.

 

I'm a huge fan of Chinon. That's my favorite value wine in France.

 

"I'm a huge fan of Chinon."

Why thank you;P

 

Ironic, since almost all wine from her city is Cabernet

 

cabernet Franc to be sure, a grape that 99% of non wine fans in America will have never heard of. I should have been more specific and said Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Very true lol it certainly is a peculiar but delicious grape. Heck, I'm from California and think most California cabs are sweet and syrupy. I was an an event the other day and all they were pouring was Silver Oak Napa. Just gross. Like they say about Silver Oak- The J is silent.

 

Love Cabernet Franc, but it can be difficult, as in often it isn't balanced, which can be helped with blending, but lots of higher-end wineries at least in Napa like to bottle a Cab Franc whether it's awesome or not. I'm a fan of Pride Cabernet Francs (and all reds). I was in Slovenia a few months back, and there with some wineries, you just show up with your jug of choice, and they fill them. I couldn't see that happening in California for two reason (the law being one of them), but I thought it was pretty damn cool. It's a very different wine culture in the more rural areas of Europe than it is here in California. Very different.

 

Interestingly, Cab Franc seems to do well in the Mid-Atlantic. I've tasted some very good Va. and N.C. versions. Doesn't need the crazy oak that most cab cultists love. Loire reds are real values and overlooked, Chinon for sure. Cab Franc and Viognier seem to do well in this humid environment.

 

huh? only if you are also including $10-and-under within that range. in the $15-20 segment, i'd say up to 50% is noticeably well above "PBR grade".

 

What I like about France is that in general they don't sell by the variety but by the district. I don't need to be told that Burgundy is either Chardonnay or Pinot Noir according to colour (and Chateauneuf du Pape would cause a problem with 13 permitted varieties !) and Bordeaux is a blend which varies from year to year anyway.

 

There is another forum on BA entitled: "addicted to buying beer", or something like that. Perhaps some of you participated in that discussion. What I gathered from that conversation is that everyone buys more beer than consumes; they also love the beer "hunt". Finding that great beer you've been searching out for so long is exciting, to say the least. With this being said, for me, I think the same goes for wine. I had some fantastic wines in Italy and Croatia (in fact some of the best!) that are so difficult to find in the States. But once I found them I was thrilled to buy a couple, drink one, and save the other. Choose your "hunt" my friends, either beer or wine works for me!

Cheers!

 

Yeah that "90% PBR" comment demonstrates a very superficial relationship w/ wine.

 

But what's the advantage over having the grape variety included on the label besides you not needing it?

 

If somebody needs to be told the variety then perhaps he should be drinking something else.The classic wine areas from Bordeaux to Barolo to Rioja to Dao and Vinho Verde seemed to manage without superfluous information. Plus that the same grape grown in different parts of the world has as much variety as exists between cultivars.

 

I think that you and Chinon are both right. Lots of French producers are now labeling with or adding varietal info to their bottlings. But, honestly, I would be disappointed if my favorite Riojas were labeled "mostly Tempranillo".

 

I've made similar points in other threads and yet in other contexts, people are reluctant to accept what a great low priced value craft beer is compared to wine (or even premium spirits). You can drink from among the very best beers on the most modest of budgets, but you really can't do that with wine.

 

"If somebody needs to be told the variety then perhaps he should be drinking something else."

Ok so you've got to appreciate that it's statements like that which give wine its snooty reputation. Geez.

"The classic wine areas from Bordeaux to Barolo to Rioja to Dao and Vinho Verde seemed to manage without superfluous information."

The name of the grape(s) in the bottle would not be superfluous to a new consumer. And again what would be the advantage to removing the varietal from the label if it were included? What would be gained?

"Plus that the same grape grown in different parts of the world has as much variety as exists between cultivars."

That is true in many instances, but knowing the grape is a good starting point. If a guy likes Cabernet you wouldn't point him to a Gamay, Pinot, or other low tannic wine.

 

"If somebody needs to be told the variety then perhaps he should be drinking something else."

Ok so you've got to appreciate that it's statements like that which give wine its snooty reputation. Geez.

"The classic wine areas from Bordeaux to Barolo to Rioja to Dao and Vinho Verde seemed to manage without superfluous information."

The name of the grape(s) in the bottle would not be superfluous to a new consumer. And again what would be the advantage to removing the varietal from the label if it were included? What would be gained?

"Plus that the same grape grown in different parts of the world has as much variety as exists between cultivars."

Sure, but knowing the grape is a good starting point. If a guy likes Cabernet you wouldn't point him to a Gamay, Pinot, or other low tannic wine.

 

I have had expensive wines on rare occasion and in most cases I'd still prefer an average rated craft beer.

 

Expensive doesn't mean good. Aside from that, the wines may not have been your style at all.