Trying to Love Wines You Don’t Like

WINE TALK
41

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc… I’ve hated grapefruit juice since infancy, gave up after a few dozen attempts.

I wouldn’t have thought of Pinotage, except that it’s shown up so much in the thread. Gave up 30 years ago after 20 tries.

Rancio is a cognate of ‘rancid’.

Canadian “Ice Wine”. I’ll take mine frozen on the vine or not at all, thank you.

Scheurebe. I don’t like perfume on women, much less in wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand or Germany.

I draw the line at 15% for Aussies.

I draw the line at 14% for Pinot Noirs, with rare (less rare now due to global warming) natural exceptions from Burgundy.

Gamay, except for Chateau des Jacques Moulin a Vent from good vintages at 10+ years, or similar MaVs and/or Morgons.

Gewurztraminer is OK if you hold the sugar.

Macabeu, with very rare exceptions.

Sauvignon Gris, except as a blending grape.

Sherry. OK, I understand that there is an argument in favor, but I’ve never had one I liked.

Fortunately, that leaves a lot of wines I enjoy!

I am very sure that I’ve left out some very distasteful glasses, but it’s tired and I’m late.

Dan Kravitz

42

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand

43

Tuscan reds made from French varieties.

I really love traditional Sangiovese but so far have been damn near unable to get any enjoyment out wines that are not 100 % Sangiovese or mostly Sangiovese complemented by other Tuscan varieties. Also seem to struggle with Chiantis that have any amount of French varieties.

44

Definitely a critical factor in enjoyment. Brokenwood’s ILR was the only one I tried where there was good complexity on (admittedly later) release, though I never had confidence it would age as well as others in the same price bracket. Corks used to be a huge problem, as a number of aged wines suffered from iffy seals. Screwcap gives more consistency, but I expect to be adding 50% onto the previous drinking window. I find youthful Hunter Semillon very simple & unexciting.

45

Your talents are wasted here [cheers.gif]

46

Not liking Northern Rhône, with your palate preferences, sorta surprises me. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ve tried all the great producers, too.

47

My soul!

48

In general I’m in a similar place, though honoury exception status goes to Isole e Olena (Collezione di Marchi) Syrah, which really does seem to taste Italian first, and of the grape second (at least with some age on it). Not especially good value for money, but good enough I’d always like to have a bottle or two in the cellar.

Even worse value, is Ornellaia. Very much was a guilty pleasure for us before the price got really stupid, not a profound wine, but one that was like a cosy warm blanket. You wouldn’t want to be seen out and about with it, but very easy to enjoy at times.

49

Rhone whites, except maybe Beaucastel VV and occasionally Chave. And I still want a slice of lemon in my Ch. des Tours Blanc.

50

A good example. From starting out in wine tasting it had immediate appeal because it was so distinctive / intense / full-on. That quickly became a view it was too viscous, specious & unbalanced. Now at the lower alcohol levels I’ve enjoyed a number of suitably restrained wines with better balance for my tastes.

51

ALL the great producers, probably not. Some (including Chave), yes. In fact, probably the best rhone I have had was a southern Rhone, a couple of late 80s Chateau Rayas.

And, I must admit I rarely drink any anymore. I have a had a few good ones, but nothing I would put anywhere near in a category with Burgundies, Bordeauxs, etc., that I have had and liked. In other words, I cannot buy everything and this has been an easy omission.

For me.

It is funny. I look at your palate preferences and am always surprised you don’t drink Burgundy. [scratch.gif] I guess the palate wants what the palate wants.

52

Well, to be honest I have an exception very much like yours: Maestro Raro.

53

Well, more and more producers … Grenache de Pierre/Giraud, Marcoux Vieilles Vignes (almost 100%), Barroche Pure are only some top-examples …

Only the 2005 !
The 2003 is about 1/3 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre …

54

You should try a fine example from Styria/Austria … not the Classic designated, but the vineyard designated bottlings …
(multiple recommendations here, but I have no idea what´s available in your region)

Trying to Love Wines You Don’t Like<<

I don´t try to LOVE wines I don´t like - maybe I try to understand them … but after the 2nd, 3rd time I usually give up … but still tasting them when I get the opportunity …

(Savagnin, red Loire, many Italian wines … Pinotage … many others …)

55

white Rhone

56

In my experiences there is sporadic, very low volume amounts of Polz Sauvignon Blanc available in the US. I don’t think I have ever seen another Austrian producer’s SB. I personally liked it but I tend to like SB that isn’t insipid.

57

Grenache (too many medicinal tasting experiences), South American wines (consistently subpar).

58

Mourvedre. I like it better in blends although I am warming up to it as a single or dominant varietal.

59

Syrah (except for GSM blends).

60

I’d sit through Beaujolais and Jura if it got you back out to the city to hang out! Maybe even Saxum or Pavie!