Wine Snob Question

[Bobber]

How do you tell the difference between a $50 bottle of wine and a $10 bottle? I honestly can't. I pretty much get all my wine at Aldi's and have never been disappointed. To me it's more about the type of grape, than the producer. We like Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz. On the white side German Riesling's and Sauvignon Blanc.

Have had great wines from Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe, California. Worst wine I ever had was some East European stuff. Tend to shy away from Midwest wine(way too sweet for my palate).

On a side note seems like beer has generally gotten really pricey and have been drinking more wine and liquor lately.

 

[Buster28]

My general rule to wine: If you like it, it's good. If you don't like it, it's bad. Some wineries charge an arm and a leg for a bottle because they know some people will think "it costs more, therefore, it's better." Not always the case. With expensive wines, you're mostly paying for the label and their advertising. Don't fall for it. Why have one $50 bottle of wine when you can enjoy FIVE $10 bottles you already know you like??

 

[Clonefan94]

Price isn't what makes a bottle of wine a good bottle or a bad bottle. As Buster said, if you like it, it's good. The best way to start "getting into" wine, imo, is to start trying different bottles from around the world and in different regions. Don't look at price as a deciding factor. My Father-In-Law was a wine collector, I have actually had wine from a bottle valued at $1200 and because it wasn't stored properly, tasted like ****. We opened another bottle and it was amazing. Both of those were '82 Bordeaux Reds. I have also had $20 bottles that were up there with some of the best I've had.

Anyways, like I said, start trying different styles from around the world, start trying different regions within those countries. IMO, once you get into the $100 and above range, that to me is more for the collectors, not the drinkers or for those trying to impress someone. Definitely find wine tastings where you aren't just trying wine from a specific winery. Look for liquor or wine stores who are doing tastings. You want to try different stuff side by side. It's amazing how different the wine can taste, even with the same grape, just grown in a different part of the world.

I'm not a wine snob, I believe you should drink what you like, but I believe the more you taste, the more appreciation you'll gain for those wines that are on a little higher end scale. For drinking, I never spend more than $25 for a bottle of wine, but I do feel there is a noticeable difference between wines in the $15 - $25 range and those in the $5-$8 range. It's not always the price either, but the grape. Do you like your reds a little sweeter, a little lighter, bold on fruit, wood or spice. It varies so much and tastes vary so much, it's really hard to say what is a "Good" wine or what is a "Bad" wine.

 

[Bobber]

Good points. I do avoid the cheapest ones on the shelf. They tend to be that way for a reason. That being said, very rarely pay more than $20/bottle.

Yes regions make s difference. German's make great Riesling's! Less difference in Reds in my opinion as long as you stick to better known wine growing areas. French and Italian wine is way overrated....

 

[runbikeswim]

Try a bottle of Prisoner. If you don't like that enough to spend 45 on a bottle, then you may never.

There are some cheap and expensive wines in my cellar, I buy what I like. A lot of times you have to properly breathe an expensive red wine before drinking it to really gets its full taste.

Wine is one of my hobbies, and I have a couple good friends who have been certified sommelier and we aren't snobs about it. Matter of fact were more'wine lashes than anything. But there are some $45 - 75 bottles that are like sex in your mouth.

My experince with wine snobs are people that like to put off airs and flaunt about themselves in general. It's show, not drinking.

I started drinking wine in my teens instead of beer.

 

[SpokaneCY]

My general rule to wine: If you like it, it's good. If you don't like it, it's bad. Some wineries charge an arm and a leg for a bottle because they know some people will think "it costs more, therefore, it's better." Not always the case. With expensive wines, you're mostly paying for the label and their advertising. Don't fall for it. Why have one $50 bottle of wine when you can enjoy FIVE $10 bottles you already know you like??

Wife is a "wino" but I like what I like. But when you have a GREAT bottle of wine and all your senses are engaged from pour to swirl to nose to finish it is magical. I don't want to "appreciate" a wine's nuances - I just want to be swept away.

Early Stags Leap, Opus one, Silver Oak all fit that "swept away" category. Leonetti, Pepperbridge are pricey and at times must be "appreciated". Oh - we're Walla Wall wine folks being from the northwest.

We've also done some pairings tests. US wine is generally good for anything and everything but French wines really open up with appropriate food pairing.

Oh - an average bottle of wine can take a step up by decanting! Let it breathe and it will open it's delicate flower up to you. That sounds like porn or a romance novel.

 

[Buster28]

Using a wine aerator also can make a big difference in how you perceive the wines you're trying. I don't use one all the time (just not always thinking about it), but tend to use it when pouring for guests. It allows the wine to breathe almost instantly.

http://www.wineenthusiast.com/vinturi-red-wine-aerator.asp

 

[KnappShack]

How do you tell the difference between a $50 bottle of wine and a $10 bottle? I honestly can't. I pretty much get all my wine at Aldi's and have never been disappointed. To me it's more about the type of grape, than the producer. We like Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz. On the white side German Riesling's and Sauvignon Blanc.

Have had great wines from Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe, California. Worst wine I ever had was some East European stuff. Tend to shy away from Midwest wine(way too sweet for my palate).

On a side note seems like beer has generally gotten really pricey and have been drinking more wine and liquor lately.

Buy what you like and enjoy it. Wine is subjective. Find an every day drinker and enjoy

 

[SpokaneCY]

Buy what you like and enjoy it. Wine is subjective. Find an every day drinker and enjoy

Last point is a great point. You can try hundreds of different wines with many being clunkers but when you find that daily drinker don't feel bad buying repeatedly by the case!

 

[Cycl1]

I belive in the 3 buck chuck rating system. I feel Charles shaw wine at 2.99 per bottle is actually decent wine.. every other wine should be based on if it is worth the equivalent number of 3 buck chuck. Yeah this 20 dollar bottle is good, but would I rather have it or 7 bottles of Charles shaw?

 

[CTTB78]

Wine freaks are funny people. My favorite line when we were in Sonoma Valley this year wine tasting was --- "Try this this one, it has some 'old piano' notes to it".

 

[KnappShack]

Wine freaks are funny people. My favorite line when we were in Sonoma Valley this year wine tasting was --- "Try this this one, it has some 'old piano' notes to it".

I've been wine drinking with people who know what they're doing. I compare it to golfing with someone who's really good. It's a pleasure to watch, I can learn some things, but I still concentrate on my own enjoyment.

 

[CTTB78]

I've been wine drinking with people who know what they're doing. I compare it to golfing with someone who's really good. It's a pleasure to watch, I can learn some things, but I still concentrate on my own enjoyment.

Yup, there is always something to learn, including recognizing ridiculous BS marketing when you hear it.

 

[SpokaneCY]

Yup, there is always something to learn, including recognizing ridiculous BS marketing when you hear it.

I'm still trying to discern undertones of soil and pomegranate. And honestly - what the hell is a pomegranate?

I CAN tall if a white was finished in stainless steel or oak! Sometimes.

Wine is like porn. You like what you like and sometimes your embarrassed by it. Talking to YOU midget amputee lovers and wine cooler drinkers!

 

[Gonzo]

I buy in bulk.

 

[cowgirl836]

we have Wollersheim up here and I like that. Got me to double my wine budget from $5 Barefoot to $8-$11 Wollersheim .

 

[TruClone]

I recently joined this wine club. It allows you to buy when you want and what you want.

https://us.nakedwines.com/

 

[CyCrazy]

I buy in bulk.

Bravo on the Sideways gif!

 

[Buster28]

My general rule to wine: If you like it, it's good. If you don't like it, it's bad. Some wineries charge an arm and a leg for a bottle because they know some people will think "it costs more, therefore, it's better." Not always the case. With expensive wines, you're mostly paying for the label and their advertising. Don't fall for it. Why have one $50 bottle of wine when you can enjoy FIVE $10 bottles you already know you like??

I should add that there is nothing wrong with being occasionally adventurous about trying more expensive wines. However, I DO recommend that you find friends who actually ARE wine snobs and have THEM pay for the pricier bottles (like if they're hosting a dinner at their place and don't know that you're "using" them in this manner). Then you can see if you like something at a higher price point without coughing up any extra dinero to figure it out.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I've had a $200 bottle of wine at a company dinner, and it was better than Three Buck Chuck. Not sure it was 60X better, but better.

I'm not a wine dude, but I spend a great deal of money on fancy beers. And I generally can tell the difference.