As promised-----Wine of the Week

[iqueen]

I promised the foodies in B'ham that Susie O and I would be more regular with the wine of the week. We are going to attempt to post one every Wednesday. This week I am going to post another Pinot Noir. I know ya'll had one last week, but I have become addicted to Pinots. They are good with everything and I am enjoying trying different ones. The most recent try was a 1998 Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir that I really enjoyed. It should be easy to find. I hope you try it an I hope you enjoy it.

Yvonne

[pmmahan]

I have had a Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir - it is very good and a bargain at $6.99 a bottle!

If you like Pinots, and don't mind splurging a little, Carneros Creek 1999 is really good. I think it is somewhere in the $15-20 range.

[SusieO]

Thanks, iqueen! I had to settle for a Pinot Grigio this week because I couldn't find a Pinot Gris. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif I have got to find a good wine store.

I wrote down the name of this week's wine. Can't wait to try it!

[emilycat]

Susie,

If you already know this, I apologize for this pointless post, but the only difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio is the name. The latter is what it's referred to in Italy. But maybe you were just trying to find an Italian wine? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[KValley]

Thanks for the recommendation, Yvonne! Where is Pepperwood Grove? What did you like about it? What did you eat with it? Just curious!

I love learning about grape varietals, so here's a tidbit paraphrased from Janice Robinson's Guide to Wine Grapes:

...Although there are more than 100 different sorts of Pinot, most are synonyms. The principal true members of the Pinot family are Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Meunier, Pinot Noir...

Poor people like me, who can not afford Burgundy, happily settle for Oregon P.N. and hope that their husband brings back Burgundy from his upcoming trip to France. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Julie


ooh, Em- I'd beg to differ http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I know what you mean- the names refer to the same varietal- but IMHO there are big differences between P Gris and P Grigio and between French P Gris and New World P Gris...

THis is fun!!!



[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-13-2001).]

[Lauren]

Good suggestion! I love Pinot Grigio. I've had the Pepperwood Chardonnay and really liked it. I'll look for the Pinot Grigio.

[BethH]

You can never go wrong with a 1998 vintage! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Especially if it is from Tuscany!

Bart and I will definitely try to try this one--we looove pinot noir. I'm off to the grocery as soon as I leave work!

[kwormann]

mmmmm, looks like a trip to Specs tomorrow.....

Kim

[iqueen]

Beth H. It is 1997 if it is Tuscan, 1998 for California Cabernet Savignons! Bumping this up for the weekend.

[SandyM]

Regarding the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio, please note the following, from www.wine.com: (http://www.wine.com:)

Pinot Gris is a darkly colored white wine grape that evolved from the Pinot Noir. Originally a popular wine from Alsace (where it was once labeled Tokay) and northeastern Italy (where it is called Pinot Grigio), Pinot Gris has become one of the most successful wines grown in Oregon. Most versions are quite dry, but Pinot Gris wines can range from light and delicate to fairly full-bodied. Rarely barrel-aged, Pinot Gris wines tend to be dry and crisp, the perfect accompaniment to salmon and seafood. It can be rather subtle in both flavor and aroma, though the best examples are reminiscent of almonds, minerals and peaches.


You say tomato, I say tomahto, but it looks like only the name is different.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

I wanted to look it up, because I personally can't tell a difference, other than the brand.......and it's one of my favorites. That's just MHO.


[This message has been edited by SandyM (edited 06-14-2001).]

[emilycat]

ooh, Em- I'd beg to differ I know what you mean- the names refer to the same varietal- but
IMHO there are big differences between P Gris and P Grigio and between French P Gris and New
World P Gris...

I did mean only that they are the same varietal -- it's virtually impossible to say that any wine produced in different regions is the "same wine," since even a small difference in climate can change the end result. Gewurtztraminers produced in Alsace are vastly different from those produced in Oregon, but they're still the same type of wine. I just meant that both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio originate from the same stuff.


[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 06-14-2001).]

[SusieO]

Thanks for the info, everyone! I was actually looking for the Pinot Gris from Oregon that Julie had recommended. The nice man at the liquor store offered to order it for me, but I wanted it NOW (insert whine). I think the name on the label was Bella di Luna. It cost about $10, and I didn't think it was all that special, although the bottle is really pretty.

I'm going to a different store for the Pinot Noir.

I love learning about wine here. Thanks again!

[KValley]

SandyM,

Now you have a research project! You must purchase an Italian Pinot Grigio, say Bolla, about $10, an Oregon PG (I'll stick by my recommendation from last week and add one for Cristom $12-15) and a Pinot Gris from Alsace (look for Trimbach Pinot Gris Alsace Reserve, about $16-they also make a very nice Gewurtztraminer, but don't get distracted http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) Then let us know what you think- whether or not they seem the same.

Hey, this sounds like fun. Hmmm...

The July issue has a great article by Karen MacNeil-Fife on alternatives to Chardonnay. Left my mouth watering for crisp, dry whites!

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-14-2001).]

[SandyM]

Ahhhh - maybe I selected poor wording. Like that's never happened before......

They'd be as different as Kendall Jackson chardonnay is to Hogue chardonnay.

I am no wine expert, so I bow out of this debate, gracefully. bawk bawk.

I just know what I like, and I buy it. I don't care what they call it. As long as the letters "zin" aren't involved........

[KValley]

Originally posted by SandyM:

I just know what I like, and I buy it. I don't care what they call it. As long as the letters "zin" aren't involved........

hey now, them's fightin' words-what's wrong with zinfandel!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Just kidding.

I'm in the "I buy what I like" camp as well...A brother of mine thinks a bottle has to cost at least $20 to be good. Poor, misguided soul...

[SusanMac]

KValley -- you got it a bit mixed up...you're supposed to go *with* DH on his Paris business trip so you can spend your days sipping wine at cafes :-)

I love the Wine of the Week idea. Look forward to it. Haven't tried Pepperwood yet, but will look for it (I'm also a big PN lover) Yvonne -- please add more info in your WOWs. I love to learn more about each wine.

Has anyone noticed a difference since wine.com was acquired? I haven't spent time out on their website lately. They pretty much dissolved their Wine Club membership, so I wasn't real happy. Any good recommendations for a wine-of-the-month club? It was a Christmas present for DH, so I feel like he's gotten shafted from the deal. Plus, it's *fun* to have surprise wines appear in the mail each month!

[browneye]

Originally posted by SusanMac:
KValley -- you got it a bit mixed up...you're supposed to go *with* DH on his Paris business trip so you can spend your days sipping wine at cafes :-)

I love the Wine of the Week idea. Look forward to it. Haven't tried Pepperwood yet, but will look for it (I'm also a big PN lover) Yvonne -- please add more info in your WOWs. I love to learn more about each wine.

Has anyone noticed a difference since wine.com was acquired? I haven't spent time out on their website lately. They pretty much dissolved their Wine Club membership, so I wasn't real happy. Any good recommendations for a wine-of-the-month club? It was a Christmas present for DH, so I feel like he's gotten shafted from the deal. Plus, it's *fun* to have surprise wines appear in the mail each month!

I think the Merryvale wine-of-the-month club is fabulous! Yes, you only get their wines, but they make lovely stuff! It is not super cheap, but...no junk. We have been members since our honeymoon in Napa, and every month we really enjoy that new wine. Nice folks down at Merryvale, too. Ummm....I am looking for their number, but here is their website. http://www.merryvale.com/

[KValley]

Susan,

You might want to post this question separately- it's a good one- or at least one about purchasing wine on-line. I'd be curious as well, since my options here are quite limited.

Ralph and I were just chatting about this yesterday (the changes in wine.com, his observations) He'd be a good source for information on purchasing wine on-line.

Oh, BTW- DH is leaving for SIX weeks. That's a lot of French wine to be enjoyed without me, n'est-ce pas? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 06-14-2001).]

[iqueen]

Bumping this up. Did anyone try the wine? What did you think? I'm working on a Columbia Crest Merlot right now. YUMMY!