Richard Neidich wrote:
> Ben, I attnend some wine dinners occationally in my area. It can be amazing
> how wines can influence foods but more likely how foods influence wines.

Thank you. Finally someone else gets it.
>
> Also, I have noticed that a French Bordeaux or Burgandy has a hard tome
> following the more fruity California wines. So order of serving does make a
> differnece and what it is served with.
>
> Finally UC makes many a good point in this group and is a contributor. You
> may or may not like what he posts but he does speak his mind. I think from
> looking at his posts over the months there is a common thread in them. You
> don't have to be a snob to enjoy wine. Wine is for enjoyment. Don't get
> stressed out by it. I tend to agree with him on that. You will find
> postings here on the most expensive wine have you bought, currently own in
> value etc. UC is correct that wine does not have to be about snobbery.
>
> Hope you enjoy the group.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Ben Snyder" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Thanks everyone for the welcome and info. This thread's going to get
> > buried so I'm hopping off now...
> >
> > Oh yeah, thanks to UC also. He's fun to play with. I imagine he's this
> > cranky, self-referential expert in all matters. But at least he pipes up
> > and says what's on his mind, rude or not. I have to respect that, in a
> > way.
> >
> > -ben
> >
> > Ben Snyder wrote:
> >> Hello all
> >>
> >> Since I've asked a couple questions recently, I thought it would be a
> >> good idea to introduce myself.
> >>
> >> I'm a married guy (wife and four kids) in southern Vermont, USA. I've
> >> loved wine since I was old enough to drink it, though never really got
> >> too far into it. Started a very small collection, totaled about a case,
> >> about six years ago. At the time I liked Beaujolais-Villages, some light
> >> Cabs, and number one was Alsatian Gewurztraminer. After moving to VT and
> >> keeping only a few bottles from the collection, I found no one to enjoy
> >> wine with. Wife doesn't drink at all.
> >>
> >> Several months ago, my brother-in-law watched Sideways. He was so
> >> inspired by it that he came to visit, and declared we will now be wine
> >> aficionados. OK, no problem here. Since then, every week I have hosted
> >> a wine tasting/family meal for both of our families. Which is excellent,
> >> I love to cook, and of course wine :-)
> >>
> >> The good part of this is obvious - someone to enjoy wine with. Hardest
> >> part was getting brother-in-law off of the Pinot kick. Tasting pinots
> >> side by side every week gets a little tedious. Sideways, I love you and
> >> hate you... But thankfully now we have branched out into different wines.
> >> When I purchase a bottle of white, it's usually not embraced with open
> >> arms, though it does get tasted and enjoyed. The rose I have for today
> >> is really going to cause a stir...
> >>
> >> I happen to prefer reds as long as they are not too tannic, pretty much
> >> equal preference between a French style and California style. For
> >> whites, I still enjoy the rose and lychee nose of a good Gewurz, and
> >> Sauvignon Blanc on occasion. Only had one Chard which I enjoyed, but it
> >> was really, really good. I'm learning more about French wines, but
> >> Italian wines are still a mystery to me. And mostly I stick to the
> >> mid-grade wines, with the rare foray into the upper-mid grade offerings.
> >>
> >> After I get some more experience with coherent tasting notes, I'll be
> >> posting them.
> >>
> >> -ben