Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and forums

John S

I have read the hand grinders can do a nice job grinding but are very slow to grind much. So I would read up on that. Once you retire you chopper you won’t look back.

John S

Everyone's palate changes as they explore all the world of wine has to offer. And while it is a PITA, when/if that happens and if one has excess it is fairly straightforward to sell those and move on. This assumes it is not absolute swill and can not be sold. One needs to be willing to take a loss o...

John S

I just hit the under 1k for the first time in 15 years. I would never give advice on this as it all depends on your drinking consumption, $$ availability, interests etc. I drink less than I used to and my spouse no longer drinks. Plus I am moving in 2 years so slugging that stuff is a PITA and stora...

John S

I have no dog in the fight but do find it pretty interesting that quite a few people who like the wines and/or people involved quickly overlook these issues or point fingers elsewhere on environmental regulations as being too much. Anyone who has done any development in Calif know you need a permit ...

John S

I live in Chapel Hill and have done quite a few cellars. Unfortunately going passive here in NC is a dream. The good news is you have the correct setup to add cooling now. I did the exact same thing all closed cell and put in a mini split cooler which has worked great. You may be able to keep it und...

John S

I think what John says above is right. Gerhard comes across like that in the above conversation. But I try to just assume it may be a language or cultural thing and respond that is not the way it was intended. Onto wine, above I noticed that Gerhard says the '99 Rostaing Cote Blonde is to die for. I...

John S

For me, and I think I said this before, I'd take high end Guigals, Jamet, and Ogier over Rostaing. I also quite like, at times, Gallet (the Henri made wines so pre 2002 or something) and maybe even Jasmin but they are much more spotty quality wise but distinctive. I just don't find the Rostaing wine...

John S

I am not looking to join a fight. But asking for other producers who have been making CR for 40 years in kindof silly. Many small independent producers that we know today made no or very little own branded CR prior to the 80s or 90s. Guigal used to buy up most of that fruit to go into his more gener...

John S

I agree the '01s from CR are good to very good but it is not a great overall vintage like 1999. Better than 2000 and 2004. Never been much of a fan of the Rostaing style and have tried so many it is clear they just do not do it for me. Not unlike Chapoutier. Not that I dislike either producer, just ...

John S

Also not sure of your location but the Austin Wine Merchant is excellent.

John S

This is pretty awesome!!

John S

Marcato here as well. In fact pretty much everyone I know who does this at home uses one of these.

John S

Sorry about this. As others have said, NEVER ship wine in the summer. It is really not the retailers fault if customer asks them to ship in heat but some don't know any better. Unfortunately you learned this with a large and expensive order. The only solution if you are dry is to find something loca...

John S

I am late but know a decent amt on the topic. I may have missed it but what temp range is your goal here. If under 65 maybe. I would not bank on staying below that. I have a passive cellar on North side at 8,000 elevation in CO where soil year round temp was 52. Floor was 10 ft under grade. Part of ...

John S

Chris and I are on the exact same wavelength. Just had those 2 days ago and they are so much better than any other waffle. But gotta plan and mix the night before. There are same day recipes which are still quite good but the overnight yeasted ones are the best.

John S

We have an all clad belgian wafffle maker. Very nice device and often on sale.

John S

Venting outside is always far superior. Second best is a downdraft setup if that works in the space. They aren't great but much better than nothing i.e. recirculating vent.

John S

You'll get a variety of answers. If quantity, auction is by far the easiest. Think over 100 bottles. They will often pick up and ship free if the value is enough. If just scattered bottles of SQN one could probably work to find private buyer but that takes time.

John S

I am not a brandy guy but wanted to say thanks for posting such an educational piece. I've enjoyed the entire process and learned a lot.

John S

In a passive cellar if the floor is adding too much heat then you are toast. You'll simply need to add active cooling in that scenario. Insulating the floor in a passive cellar is the opposite of what you want to do. The floor is your cooling so if that is too warm you simply must add active cooling...

John S

For sure go with the camera before doing anything. A game camera will work fine if no place to plug in. They can be found for $50 or less and just need a micro SD card and batteries. Also I would go with the simple theory that it is likely not a wine person. Likely the thief simply tried one of the ...

John S

Going on 4 years here with a CoolBot and mini-split system. Absolutely zero issue or maintenance required.

John S

Know many people who ended up with more than they later figured they needed to cellar. This happens with may wines but German Rieslings are generally a tough sell so I've seen many who still have much more than they can drink. Probably the greatest value out there and I limit purchases as it is so e...

John S

To be honest, none. I have stopped buying so many wines and producers it really is not a huge deal anymore. I always find stuff I enjoy and variety is the spice of life.

John S

Check this site linked below for what i would term the best for serious coffee people who want drip. I have the Bonavita and have used the Techivorm as well. Both seem to perform pretty similarly, maybe a slight edge to the Bonavita for home roaster like myself who often has very freshly roasted bea...

John S

I'll weigh but not saying much new. Really just two primary options I can see. If the blade type (I call them choppers) are fine then go ahead. They simply obliterate and chop the beans and leave the grind quite uneven. But if that works for you then by all means. I used to have one but have not use...

John S

Yeah, for sure prioritize the expensive stuff and put in the car with you. Take inside the hotel at night and live regular hours. EZ PZ really. Done this many, many times. Not sure where beer comes into all this but overnight in the car I would not worry if. In fact if cool when you park for the day...

John S

Sad to hear about the Mike Moriarty story at Chelsea. Met him a few times and a nice guy. Seems like no possible good ending here.

I met George Osumi 25 years ago when far as I knew he was just a wine collector like me. What a scum bag he ended up really being.

John S

I'd really try to work backwards from what you really want to drink in the future. Like how many of each producers do you drink or expect to in a year. do the math on current purchases. My guess if you are like me and many others you are still accumulating which is not really the end goal. I am redu...

John S

I would put them in a wine diaper (look it up) and check it in your regular luggage. Once in a wine diaper it will likely not fit in a shipper but maybe it will as that would be ideal. Otherwise I would probably pass. I have never had a bottle leak in a wine diaper but use them often as I typically ...

John S

This seems like a nice outcome for buyers. Yet a few still seem to complain. Most people (I include myself) who have had a decent slug of various La Las agree they can be and often are great. They may not be "typical" and certainly not cheap but really are IMHO great wines. Some of my favorite wines...

John S

Rob, They work like a traditional corkscrew but are easily the most well made and best of those. A two step, like the Coutale, is usually a bit quicker for me to get open (if all goes well) but they eventually break. The non coutale two step ones ones are useful but pretty much disposable. Generally...

John S

Great price and my favorite Laguiole producer. Thx for the heads up.

John S

The Cerdon Bugey wines are like 7 to 8% alcohol. Sparkling rose like bit of sweetness. Always nice IMHO.

John S

Wine country visits can be loads of fun, especially when just starting out. I can not tell what your objective function is here when you say on a budget. The cost to travel to and stay at a distant location will be by far the largest part of the expense. Any wine you may buy will be a tiny portion a...

John S

The easiest but somewhat less capacity is to rack all champagne sized. Then you can fit pretty much anything in and not worry about what type of bottle goes where. I am guessing since you are not going with double deep racking max capacity is not a big issue as if it was, double deep despite a bit o...

John S

As mentioned used closed cell foam (also called high density) on all the walls and ceiling. 2" or 3" will give you good R value and then the vapor barrier issues will also be met. Do not use batting or open cell foam. As also mentioned a split system is usually best. Your space is "small" so you may...

John S

The Clisson is from different soils (more granite) and sits on the lees for 2 years. The Briords sits on the lees for under a year. Personally I prefer the Clisson as it is rounder and very user friendly probably due to more lees contact. My house white.

John S

I can also rec the Boulder Wine Merchant. Liquor mart is quite large but can still find some well chosen stuff in there. Frasca is easily the best restaurant and as noted, the next door Pizzaria Locale is very good. I last went to Flagstaff House about 10 years ago. It has the best views so tourists...

John S

FWIW, corks push out when wine freezes. I had this happen once in Boulder after over 20 years of shipping wines. Wine was authorized to shipped not by me but the buddy I was sharing with. It sat over a holiday weekend when the highs were single digits or below zero. I figured it would be frozen and ...

John S

Theodore Anderson wrote: ↑
March 13th, 2019, 1:42 pm
Doesn't look cold enough to freeze wine.

Yeah, only super cold temps will freeze wine. If in styro it takes prolonged temps below zero. I would have 0 worries.

John S

Yes, insulate all the walls and the ceiling especially. The part of the cellar under the porch is likely the be problematic (as is the southern location in Raleigh) but you won't know till peak summer arrives. If you can spray closed cell foam that will serve for insulation and the vapor barrier. Yo...

John S

Thanks for posting. Interesting to see what they offered and relative pricing back then.

John S

I think this has happened to nearly any old timer. For myself I simply swapped to learn and taste from other areas in the relevant price range. One can simply sell some high priced stuff to purchases the high priced stuff one likes the best. All of these are "good" problems to have so to speak. Pers...

John S

Never had this wine so no comment there.

But I certainly have had whites that blow great reds off the table. There is a reason at DRC one tastes Le Montrachet last after the reds. Yes I have had more reds in this category than white but great whites for me can more than hold their own.

John S

Another Tavernetta rec in Denver.

John S

I finished this about 6 months ago. I found it very entertaining and laughed out loud many times. I would think a person relatively new to wine but bitten by the bug would find it enjoyable and informative. Good page turner for sure.

John S

I do not see anything "wrong" with spending your $$ as you see fit. Same with score chasing etc. However as others have noted one loses much of what many of us enjoy learning about with such a narrow focus. One can miss vintage, winemaker, terroir effects and and inability to learn from different ye...

John S

I think it is very producer specific in 1998. The Vieux Tele, Pegau, Vieux Donjon, Charvin, and Henri Bonneau Marie are all drinking well. Many others have not fared so well with age.

John S

Yeah, it is crazy to have full freight HF fees for this product which really requires little overhead and personnel. It can not be in a mutual fund or more liquid vehicles so this is the space it ends up in. That does not mean the fees need to be so high. But it sure smells like a classic vehicle de...

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