19 replies to this topic

[HowboutthemCowboys]

Made scampi last weekend and dug up Bier's thread on it. Saw that someone (Kid?) uses a Sauvignon Blanc. I purchased a 2009 Bonterra. The scampi was great , but this is'nt a wine that I particularly care to drink. It's ok, just not something I would buy again.

I'm wondering if any of you have tried this particular bottle and if so did you like it?  If it's something that is usually pretty well liked I can scratch Blancs of my list and move on as far as drinking goes. If it's crap I'll give the Blancs another try

[jetsfan]

I worked in France for awhile and you really cannot go wrong with any red from there.  I was in the Beaujolais region and it is a fantastic every day wine for pretty much any meal.

Other than that, I would recommend trying any and every thing.  My Portuguese friends swear by Monte Vehlo, which is amazing if you can find it in the USA.

:cheers:

[Bier Meister]

I am not a hugh california sauv blanc guy. I wouldn't give up on them yet though.  You will get very different qualities from sauv blanc from other areas (french and southern hemisphere i get more into).  Ialso tend to enjoy them more when they are blended

Edit:  with no offense intended to kid, I don't think sb is a great pairing for scampi due to the butter and garlic ( also cream sauces)

Edited by Bier Meister, 24 February 2012 - 08:33 PM.

[chester]

A good start would be why you didn't like it. Too much or not enough of Dry, Sweet, Fruity, Crisp, Bland, Intense, etc.
When I used to sell wine that was always the starting point.

Also, unlike Bier, I love Cali SB. But can see how scampi could totally outdo the wine.

ETA
Wife swears by New Zealand SB. Particularily Marborough.

Edited by chester, 24 February 2012 - 11:27 PM.

[detlef]

jetsfan, on 2/24/12 8:24pm, said:

I worked in France for awhile and you really cannot go wrong with any red from there.  I was in the Beaujolais region and it is a fantastic every day wine for pretty much any meal.

Other than that, I would recommend trying any and every thing.  My Portuguese friends swear by Monte Vehlo, which is amazing if you can find it in the USA.

:cheers:

Pouring that by the glass at one of my places right now. Really cheap and absolutely delicious.  Very random though and has "wild goose chase" written all over it.  We get ours from a one-man operation and I'd never seen it before now.

I also love beaujolais, when it's good, but have found public acceptance to be very hit and miss.  Not sure I'd send a newbie to the beaujolais section to get them started.

As for the OP's question, I agree with Chester, some info as to what you did and didn't like would help.  Also, like Chester, I do enjoy some Cali Sauv Blancs but also agree that the real crowd pleasers are coming from New Zealand right now.  I hope you like Grapefruit though, because they really taste of it.  I think the most user friendly SB comes from Chile.  It has some of that abundant and bright fruit that you find in NZ, but is hemmed in a bit.  I mean, my favorite comes from Sancerre, but that's getting a bit pricey.  

If you're looking for a very agreeable red, try a Malbec from Argentina.  The cheaper ones are big but not too tannic and loaded with fruit.

[chester]

detlef, on 2/25/12 5:08am, said:

I do enjoy some Cali Sauv Blancs but also agree that the real crowd pleasers are coming from New Zealand right now.  I hope you like Grapefruit though, because they really taste of it.

That makes sense, as my wife loves grapefruit (the actual fruit) and I don't, hence she loves the NZ stuff.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

chester, on 2/24/12 11:25pm, said:

A good start would be why you didn't like it. Too much or not enough of Dry, Sweet, Fruity, Crisp, Bland, Intense, etc.

Hmm... I guess I could have used more fruit, and it actually was bland

[Bier Meister]

well, that's it for me with california sb.  when buying ordering them there is a strong likelihood that your are going to get a lot of grapefruit.  i much prefer the tropical notes from the aus/nz, and tangerine, melon, lemon, lime. again like the blends with semillon.

[Furd]

Although there are some knowledgeable people around here, I think that the first thing that you should do is to go to your local wine shop/retailer and talk to someone there.  You'll learn some things and if his/her advice and recommendations pan out, you'll have a consistent resource.  If it doesn't pan out, find someone else.

You'll get a lot more out of a mesage board once you get a little knowledge.

[detlef]

Furd, on 2/25/12 12:33pm, said:

Although there are some knowledgeable people around here, I think that the first thing that you should do is to go to your local wine shop/retailer and talk to someone there.  You'll learn some things and if his/her advice and recommendations pan out, you'll have a consistent resource.  If it doesn't pan out, find someone else.

You'll get a lot more out of a mesage board once you get a little knowledge.

+1

A small, local shop might (and I mean might) be a a buck or two more per bottle, but you'll get someone who has tasted all the wines to ask you questions and really find you something that you've got a really good chance of liking.  In other words, you can either spend $10 on something that you've got a great chance of liking or $8 on a total crap shoot.  That $2 is money well spent.  Next time you're looking for a wine, go back and ask the same guy.  Tell him what you dug and didn't about the last wine and, assuming he's at all good, you'll really start to narrow down what you want in wine.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

Furd, on 25 February 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

Although there are some knowledgeable people around here, I think that the first thing that you should do is to go to your local wine shop/retailer and talk to someone there.  You'll learn some things and if his/her advice and recommendations pan out, you'll have a consistent resource.  If it doesn't pan out, find someone else.

You'll get a lot more out of a mesage board once you get a little knowledge.

Don't have that option where I live. Wine and liquor are "state stores" here. Clerks are people off the street that run the register...

[piratesownninjas]

If you're looking for sauv blancs I'd go the New Zealand route.  The Kim Crawford SB should be at just about any store that sells wine.  I have a ton of repeat business on the Cupcake SB as well.  Neither will break your budget.  I sell wine for a living, so if you have any questions shoot me a pm.  If I don;'t know the answer, someone I work with will.

[Zooty]

HowboutthemCowboys, on 25 February 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

Don't have that option where I live. Wine and liquor are "state stores" here. Clerks are people off the street that run the register...

That depends on which store you go into.  I'm not sure how far from Allentown you are but they have a top-notch store there and hire people in the wine dept. that actually know stuff.  There is a good store here in Reading to and one of the stores in Harrisburg

[Furd]

HowboutthemCowboys, on 25 February 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

Don't have that option where I live. Wine and liquor are "state stores" here. Clerks are people off the street that run the register...

What, do you live out in the sticks?

[Sugar Magnolia]

What NZ SB do y'all like?

[Sugar Magnolia]

What NZ SB do y'all like?

[KICK A$$ BLASTER]

Frank Noblio(sp?) the golfer has a family winery in NZ. Every one of their SB have been good, and can be found quite easily. I have found them at Albertsons in both Boise and Southern Cal....

[nogohawk]

Zooty, on 26 February 2012 - 05:58 PM, said:

That depends on which store you go into.  I'm not sure how far from Allentown you are but they have a top-notch store there and hire people in the wine dept. that actually know stuff.  There is a good store here in Reading to and one of the stores in Harrisburg

Good info here - ask for John in the Reading store.  Hershey actually has the best PA store.  i'd rank Lancaster ahead of Reading but behind Atown.  Actually heading over to pick up some Ethos Chard. which is on sale.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

nogohawk, on 02 March 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

Good info here - ask for John in the Reading store.  Hershey actually has the best PA store.  i'd rank Lancaster ahead of Reading but behind Atown.  Actually heading over to pick up some Ethos Chard. which is on sale.

Thanks to you and zooty for the heads up but those stores are about 2 hours from me. No worries, I'l figure it out

[chester]

For SB, wiithout knowing what's available, I'd pick out a few bottles in the $10-$15 range and see what you like. Cheaper and it's hit or miss, more and you're likely overpaying until you really know what you want. In my experience that price range will generally make you happy.