Hello All--

My hubby and I are about 3 years into our interest in wines, and we're
finding that we need a stronger foundation in wine basics. We are wine
dabblers at best, and usually purchase by asking our local wine vendor for
recommendations. We're also very busy people & don't have a lot of time to
spend on this hobby.

Can you recommend a quick introduction into wine basics that would help us
in (a) developing our palates and (b) choosing our own wines? Also, if
you'd recommend a subscription to one (only one) wine magazine, which would
you recommend for people like us?

Thanks very much for your insights.

philosopher (part of the signature-sporting, top-posting reform movement)

On Sun, 7 Nov 2004 10:24:25 -0600, "philosopher" >
wrote:

>My hubby and I are about 3 years into our interest in wines, and we're
>finding that we need a stronger foundation in wine basics. We are wine
>dabblers at best, and usually purchase by asking our local wine vendor for
>recommendations. We're also very busy people & don't have a lot of time to
>spend on this hobby.
>
>Can you recommend a quick introduction into wine basics that would help us
>in (a) developing our palates and (b) choosing our own wines? Also, if
>you'd recommend a subscription to one (only one) wine magazine, which would
>you recommend for people like us?

As you aksed for a quick introduction, I would strongly recommend "I
Don't Know Much About Wine...But I Know What I Like" by Simon Woods.
It is concise, to the point, and no nonsense advice. Stands head and
shoulders above many other similar attempts to meet these goals.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...stirbitchcom09

At the next level of detail, I have no *very* strong recommendations
without knowing more about your requirements, but personally I got on
well with Michal Schuster's "Essential Winetasting: The Complete
Practical Winetasting Course"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...stirbitchcom09
and also Jancis Robinson's "Wine Tasting Workbook"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...stirbitchcom09

Schuster's book outlines a precise winetasting course which, together
with a few friends, I followed very closely. I personally found that
aspect very useful, but it may not be for you.

(NB: I am an Amazon associate. The links provided above will push a
small percentage of the cost of the book in my direction. If you
object to this, simply remove the "stirbitchcom" bit of the link or
buy from elsewhere.)

--
Steve Slatcher
http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher

>
> Can you recommend a quick introduction into wine basics that would help us
> in (a) developing our palates and (b) choosing our own wines? Also, if
> you'd recommend a subscription to one (only one) wine magazine, which
would
> you recommend for people like us?
>


....Decanter Magazine is my personal prefference.

cheers
Mathew

My first post here. I also am in the learning stage.

I have found two sources most helpful in finding good wines at good prices.
One is a large local wine shop with a large selection and knowledgeable
sales people. Its nice to go in and say "What do you recommend in a
Chardonnay up to $15?" Have been very pleased w/ their recommendations.

The other source is http://www.bevmo.com I can get a list of highly rated
wines (WW,WS,CB, etc.) in my price range and go shopping. Again, have been
pleased with the results and the 'hunt' is fun.


Chip L


> Can you recommend a quick introduction into wine basics that would help us
> in (a) developing our palates and (b) choosing our own wines? Also, if
> you'd recommend a subscription to one (only one) wine magazine, which
would
> you recommend for people like us?
>
> Thanks very much for your insights.
>
> philosopher (part of the signature-sporting, top-posting reform movement)
>
>
>

My first post here. I also am in the learning stage.

I have found two sources most helpful in finding good wines at good prices.
One is a large local wine shop with a large selection and knowledgeable
sales people. Its nice to go in and say "What do you recommend in a
Chardonnay up to $15?" Have been very pleased w/ their recommendations.

The other source is http://www.bevmo.com I can get a list of highly rated
wines (WW,WS,CB, etc.) in my price range and go shopping. Again, have been
pleased with the results and the 'hunt' is fun.


Chip L


> Can you recommend a quick introduction into wine basics that would help us
> in (a) developing our palates and (b) choosing our own wines? Also, if
> you'd recommend a subscription to one (only one) wine magazine, which
would
> you recommend for people like us?
>
> Thanks very much for your insights.
>
> philosopher (part of the signature-sporting, top-posting reform movement)
>
>
>

Chip L wrote:
<snip>
>
> The other source is http://www.bevmo.com I can get a list of highly rated
> wines (WW,WS,CB, etc.) in my price range and go shopping. Again, have been
> pleased with the results and the 'hunt' is fun.
>
Hey Chip,
Enjoy your hunting and thanks for the link. Always good to have another
source for wine information since Wine Spectator on-line ratings became
$ubscription only. But that's another story.

Dick R.

Hey fellow wine newbie,
The Wine spectator ratings are on the link . They are the WS ratings. WW is
wilford wong

A couple of great values I've found are the whole Gallo Sonoma line (not the
regular Gallo line) and Trinity Oaks Chardonny. (California $7-10)

Enjoy
Chip

> Hey Chip,
> Enjoy your hunting and thanks for the link. Always good to have another
> source for wine information since Wine Spectator on-line ratings became
> $ubscription only. But that's another story.
>
> Dick R.
>

Hi Chip,
I have been enjoying wine for a number of years, but compared to some
of the good folks in this NG, I'm still a newbie. There are numerous
wines that "I know by heart", and I continue to purchase them. For wines
that I'm not familiar with, I look for TNs, ratings, whatever, just to
get a clue as to whether I should try a bottle. Then, if I decide I like
the wine, I rush back to the store hoping that the wine is still on sale.

Thanks, and enjoy the journey,
Dick R.

Chip L wrote:
> Hey fellow wine newbie,
> The Wine spectator ratings are on the link . They are the WS ratings. WW is
> wilford wong
>
> A couple of great values I've found are the whole Gallo Sonoma line (not the
> regular Gallo line) and Trinity Oaks Chardonny. (California $7-10)
>
> Enjoy
> Chip
>
>
>>Hey Chip,
>>Enjoy your hunting and thanks for the link. Always good to have another
>>source for wine information since Wine Spectator on-line ratings became
>>$ubscription only. But that's another story.
>>
>>Dick R.
>>
>
>
>