Your favorite wine? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to start getting into wine before I start in big law.

What is your favorite wine?
What wine do you drink regularly?
(Please consider including cost).

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to start getting into wine before I start in big law.

What is your favorite wine?
What wine do you drink regularly?
(Please consider including cost).

Starting your alcoholism early I see. Also, while Barolo is my style of choice, I think the notion of a favorite wine is doing it wrong. Expand your palate--try many wines with many foods, see what you like. Also check out youtube videos on the history and production of wine.

[cornerstone]

I'm sure you'll get better recommendations, but IMHO the best Napa cab for pre-biglaw (read: relatively affordable to a law student) is the Iter cab. There are far better wines out there, but it's a good start.
Used to be able to pick it up for ~$15/btl but I think it's now around $20 or so.

For affordable whites, I tend to buy Vouvray (I forget which one). Oh, and I'll drink just about any dry rose for ~$10 outside in the summer.

Rather than ask for particular recommendations, though, you're better off finding a decent local wine shop that does weekly tastings. You'll get to try a lot more likely for free than buying bottles on your own. Just don't be that guy who drinks and ditches - buy a bottle at least every other, if not every time.

Also, I'd recommend getting a wine app to track what you like and don't like. Some even make suggestions based on your tastes. I use Vivino (mostly to check prices/flavor profiles), which is okay. I'm sure others have suggestions.

[Anonymous User]

Rather than ask for particular recommendations, though, you're better off finding a decent local wine shop that does weekly tastings. You'll get to try a lot more likely for free than buying bottles on your own. Just don't be that guy who drinks and ditches - buy a bottle at least every other, if not every time.

TITCR. Go to the tastings and buy a bottle of the one you liked best each time. Do this about once or twice a month and by the time you start biglaw (I assume that would be this fall) you will have a pretty advanced palate and real set of things that you like and don't really care for in different wines.

[nihil?]

Windows on the World by Kevin Zraly is a good introductory resource for someone looking to learn about wine. It includes affordable suggestions for each type.

[temp69420]

Lots of good suggestions here. I was in your situation a while back. Honestly I ended up thinking it was mostly a waste of money. Drink lots of different things, but really don't worry too much. My view in the end is that I can't taste quality past $50, and in any case none of it seriously impacts my life.

Not to say that's you, just that you shouldn't feel bad about not caring if that's where you end up.

As for me (40-year-old partner), I like zinfandels from Ridge as my go-to, anywhere from $30-$50. In the summer my favorite was a Slovakian orange wine. Back when I was an associate I drank usually $15-20 bottles. Went to lots of tastings (some stores here do them weekly), trip to wine country in cali/oregon a few times. It's a lot of fun if you go with people -- just start with one winery, ask what their favorites nearby are, repeat. Great way to drink a ton of wine fast, often at random places.

Another point -- to be able to recognize flavors in wine, you really need to put a lot of stuff in your mouth. Spend more time cooking. Taste and smell a lot of things.

[trmckenz]

My favorite white wine is a Sancerre. A little more expensive but worth it IMO.

[Anonymous User]

You'll have to try to different wines from different regions/appellations to gain a true appreciation of wine. A wine that I've had luck with getting my inexperienced friends to enjoy is a Daou cab. It's ~$20. If you like the fruity Paso Robles cab flavor that the Daou gives you can upgrade to Austin Hope which is my wine cellar staple and my favorite wine.

Also if you want to learn about wine I highly recommend The Wine Bible.

[MergerQueen]

Chiantis tend to be universally enjoyed and are often very affordable.

[Anonymous User]

OP--are you legitimately interested in learning wine or are you thinking this is one of those things you should "learn" before joining the world of white collar professionals. If the latter, I wouldn't worry about it and you won't enjoy the process nor will you impress anyone that actually knows wine.

If you do really want to learn wine (it's probably my favorite hobby and I spend way too much time and money reading/drinking/talking about it), I think the advice to go to tastings at your local wine shop/wine bar is the best place to start. Learn first what types of wines you like and why. I would focus on broader categories as opposed to specific varietals or regions--e.g., high acid whites or fruit forward and full-bodied reds. Knowing this can help you ask the right questions of salespeople/waiters and point you to new wines. Once you have an idea of what you like, I think it's a little easier to explore and understand different wines and you can take deeper dives into regions/varietals/etc.

On price, I generally find it difficult to find well-made wine for under $20, but once you start going north of $50, there's really only marginal increases (i.e., a $100 wine is not likely to be 2x better than a $50 wine, and may not be better at all). Some regions are tough to find any kind of value in (Burgundy, Napa, Bourdeaux to some degree), but others offer value up and down the range. Some wines that you can look for that are usually fairly easy to find:

- Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages (like $13 and a solid example of Beaujolais--if you like this start looking for the Beaujolais "crus" which are a step up in quality)
- G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo ($15-16 -- if you like this try a Barolo or Barbaresco from the same general region)
- Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir or Willamette Valley Vineyards (probably around $25 so a little more expensive, but pinot noir is not cheap. Oregon still offers way better pricing than Burgundy, though)
- Muga/La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza (Rioja for ~$20--will tell you if you like fuller-bodied wines with a good dose of oak)
- Guigal Cotes du Rhone ($17 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend from a very well known producer. If you like this, look for Chateuneuf du Pape/Gigondas wines that are a step up on price)

I lean towards old world (European) wines, so understand that's where my recommendations come in. The partner that recommended Ridge Zin offers a solid rec if that's a style you like (though some of those take a few years before they show their best).

Lastly, the books others have recommended are helpful so you can learn about what you're drinking. I'd also add Wine Folly (which has some solid intros on specific varietals that can help you taste) and 24-hour wine expert by Jancis Robinson. Both are widely available.

[Wanderingdrock]

My favorite white wine is a Sancerre. A little more expensive but worth it IMO.

Sancerre is great. Allan Scott (New Zealand white) is a good, less expensive alternative, often going for ~$12-16/bottle.

My favorite red wine is Chianti Classico Riserva, which you can find on sale for ~$20/bottle on occasion. Usually you're talking more like $25-50, though.

But these are subjective preferences. The best advice of general applicability I ever got from a wine expert was: if you're looking at a low price point (anything under ~$20) remember that the bottle, cork, and labor all cost a certain floor but may cost a little less in certain countries. Therefore, you're likely to find producers of good wine willing to sell theirs for less in countries like Chile and South Africa than France or the U.S., even though Chile and South Africa are catching up to France in reputation quickly. Basically, on average, and ignoring subjective preferences, a $10 bottle of Chilean wine may be "better" than a $10 bottle of Oregon wine. Not so much the case when you start getting above ~$20, though.

[Anonymous User]

Wow. OP here! Not responding to each person individually but thank you all so much. This is very helpful. Great tips, I've taken note of what everyone has said and I appreciate the advice.

[jhett]

I've been loving Argentinian malbecs. Pairs really well with lots of proteins. Also, I recently discovered the Twenty Rows cab sav 2020 reserve. It goes down like chocolate velvet.

I'm a sucker for sweet whites in the summer, so reislings, moscatos, and white sangrias.

Also, I use the Vivino app when wine shopping. You take a picture of the label and it gives you the taste profile, ratings, reviews, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP but learning a lot in this thread.

In a youtube video I watched, an owner of a Vineyard said that as a general rule in the U.S., wine that costs more than $35 is a safe bet for a guarantee that you're drinking good wine / quality wine.

Is that true in your experience? Or is the number less than $35? Seems like there are several recommendations here that fall in the under category. This doesn't change the validity of the Vineyard owner's comments, just wondering if the wine enthusiasts in here think that number can come down from $35 or where you think the bar is.

[MergerQueen]

Not OP but learning a lot in this thread.

In a youtube video I watched, an owner of a Vineyard said that as a general rule in the U.S., wine that costs more than $35 is a safe bet for a guarantee that you're drinking good wine / quality wine.

Is that true in your experience? Or is the number less than $35? Seems like there are several recommendations here that fall in the under category. This doesn't change the validity of the Vineyard owner's comments, just wondering if the wine enthusiasts in here think that number can come down from $35 or where you think the bar is.

Clearly, this YouTube guy's never been to a throwaway midtown wine shop.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP but learning a lot in this thread.

In a youtube video I watched, an owner of a Vineyard said that as a general rule in the U.S., wine that costs more than $35 is a safe bet for a guarantee that you're drinking good wine / quality wine.

Is that true in your experience? Or is the number less than $35? Seems like there are several recommendations here that fall in the under category. This doesn't change the validity of the Vineyard owner's comments, just wondering if the wine enthusiasts in here think that number can come down from $35 or where you think the bar is.

There's some truth to it, but not universal. At super low costs, winemakers have to cut a lot of corners in order to make a profit--can include cheaper farming/machine harvesting, using oak chips instead of barrels, flavorants/color additives during fermentation/aging, etc. In the U.S. $30-$35 is probably a safe bet that the wine doesn't have to do any of those things in order to recoup costs. That said, a lot of "premium" producers do these things, but the wines still sell for high prices because of brand popularity or other unknown reasons. Meiomi, Belle Glos, Caymus, Silver Oak, and many others fall into this category in my opinion--not necessarily bad if you like the style, but the cost isn't because of the intensive labor input going into those bottlings.

[kierkegaardaddy]

I like a heavy california cab, and I think Justin is a great every day wine. Just get the least expensive one. Easily available crowd pleaser.

[Anonymous User]

I like a heavy california cab, and I think Justin is a great every day wine. Just get the least expensive one. Easily available crowd pleaser.

New vineyard owners for Justin are kind of terrible people, but I totally get if people don't care about that. If you do care, alternative good ones are Daou as mentioned earlier in the thread or My Favorite Neighbor

[Anonymous User]

OP--are you legitimately interested in learning wine or are you thinking this is one of those things you should "learn" before joining the world of white collar professionals. If the latter, I wouldn't worry about it and you won't enjoy the process nor will you impress anyone that actually knows wine.

If you do really want to learn wine (it's probably my favorite hobby and I spend way too much time and money reading/drinking/talking about it), I think the advice to go to tastings at your local wine shop/wine bar is the best place to start. Learn first what types of wines you like and why. I would focus on broader categories as opposed to specific varietals or regions--e.g., high acid whites or fruit forward and full-bodied reds. Knowing this can help you ask the right questions of salespeople/waiters and point you to new wines. Once you have an idea of what you like, I think it's a little easier to explore and understand different wines and you can take deeper dives into regions/varietals/etc.

On price, I generally find it difficult to find well-made wine for under $20, but once you start going north of $50, there's really only marginal increases (i.e., a $100 wine is not likely to be 2x better than a $50 wine, and may not be better at all). Some regions are tough to find any kind of value in (Burgundy, Napa, Bourdeaux to some degree), but others offer value up and down the range. Some wines that you can look for that are usually fairly easy to find:

- Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages (like $13 and a solid example of Beaujolais--if you like this start looking for the Beaujolais "crus" which are a step up in quality)
- G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo ($15-16 -- if you like this try a Barolo or Barbaresco from the same general region)
- Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir or Willamette Valley Vineyards (probably around $25 so a little more expensive, but pinot noir is not cheap. Oregon still offers way better pricing than Burgundy, though)
- Muga/La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza (Rioja for ~$20--will tell you if you like fuller-bodied wines with a good dose of oak)
- Guigal Cotes du Rhone ($17 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend from a very well known producer. If you like this, look for Chateuneuf du Pape/Gigondas wines that are a step up on price)

I lean towards old world (European) wines, so understand that's where my recommendations come in. The partner that recommended Ridge Zin offers a solid rec if that's a style you like (though some of those take a few years before they show their best).

Lastly, the books others have recommended are helpful so you can learn about what you're drinking. I'd also add Wine Folly (which has some solid intros on specific varietals that can help you taste) and 24-hour wine expert by Jancis Robinson. Both are widely available.

Thanks for this detailed answer!

edit
Answering your question in the first sentence, the answer is a combination of the two. I've tried to figure out what wines I like but I think I've been going about it the wrong way. It seems like this is a good time to do it and I do think that big law promotes drinking culture in a few ways, not my primary motive.

[Anonymous User]

I've been loving Argentinian malbecs. Pairs really well with lots of proteins. Also, I recently discovered the Twenty Rows cab sav 2020 reserve. It goes down like chocolate velvet.

I'm a sucker for sweet whites in the summer, so reislings, moscatos, and white sangrias.

Also, I use the Vivino app when wine shopping. You take a picture of the label and it gives you the taste profile, ratings, reviews, etc.

Thanks! Vivino app seems great. It also provides pairing recommendations for wine/food, really helpful.

[Anonymous User]

I'm sure you'll get better recommendations, but IMHO the best Napa cab for pre-biglaw (read: relatively affordable to a law student) is the Iter cab. There are far better wines out there, but it's a good start.
Used to be able to pick it up for ~$15/btl but I think it's now around $20 or so.

For affordable whites, I tend to buy Vouvray (I forget which one). Oh, and I'll drink just about any dry rose for ~$10 outside in the summer.

Rather than ask for particular recommendations, though, you're better off finding a decent local wine shop that does weekly tastings. You'll get to try a lot more likely for free than buying bottles on your own. Just don't be that guy who drinks and ditches - buy a bottle at least every other, if not every time.

Also, I'd recommend getting a wine app to track what you like and don't like. Some even make suggestions based on your tastes. I use Vivino (mostly to check prices/flavor profiles), which is okay. I'm sure others have suggestions.

Thanks for mentioning a few affordable wines!

[Anonymous User]

anyone have recommendations for sparkling wine/rosé ?

[Anonymous User]

anyone have recommendations for sparkling wine/rosé ?

Biglaw partner. For sparkling wine, I strongly prefer bone-dry wines made in the traditional method but they definitely don't need to be Champagne; Cremant, Franciacorta, and even Cava can be just as good for a fraction of the cost. For rose, there are a million good, affordable options so just find something you like and stick with it. We are partial to ABC and Stolpman (from the Santa Ynez Valley) and a couple of Austrian wineries whose names I can't recall for rose, but honestly the best thing you can do is to try a bunch of things and find your favorite two or three.

ETA: Not directly responsive to your question, but Austria and Germany are outstanding winemaking regions and produce some great wines for the money. My spouse and I drink a ton of Gruner Vetliner, Blaufrankisch, etc., which you can get for a fraction of the cost of a comparable quality Cabernet, Chardonnay, etc.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a Cab fan. My normal go-to is Austin Hope, but I also enjoy a few others like Emeritus, Faust and Quilt. I think those are all around $40-50 wines.

But I had a bottle of Daou Patrimony at a special dinner a few weeks ago and it was the best wine I've ever had. Highly recommend if you want to splurge on a $300 bottle.

[Anonymous User]

anyone have recommendations for sparkling wine/rosé ?

Biglaw partner. For sparkling wine, I strongly prefer bone-dry wines made in the traditional method but they definitely don't need to be Champagne; Cremant, Franciacorta, and even Cava can be just as good for a fraction of the cost. For rose, there are a million good, affordable options so just find something you like and stick with it. We are partial to ABC and Stolpman (from the Santa Ynez Valley) and a couple of Austrian wineries whose names I can't recall for rose, but honestly the best thing you can do is to try a bunch of things and find your favorite two or three.

ETA: Not directly responsive to your question, but Austria and Germany are outstanding winemaking regions and produce some great wines for the money. My spouse and I drink a ton of Gruner Vetliner, Blaufrankisch, etc., which you can get for a fraction of the cost of a comparable quality Cabernet, Chardonnay, etc.

Former fancy bartender here. This is credited. Veuve's sparkling Rosé is excellent.