Wine

[smiling-knife]

Does anyone like to drink wine? At the moment I am having a little sip of a 1999 St Halletts Old Block Shiraz from Australia. It is afternoon here in the UK and the weather is kind of crap so why not. One of the great things about living here is the close proximity to the great wine regions of Italy, France and Spain. My favourite wines are from the Rhone area in France with Tuscany coming in a close second. I like the Californian Cabernet and Zinfandel wines, but they are quite expensive over here. If there are any other wine lovers out there, please let me know what you drink/think. Cheers s-k

[9ball]

Greetings smiling-knife ,

We made our own wines (and some beers) for years. Grew & picked our are own fruit, even belonged to a club at one point, We took it pretty serious. I am taking a chain saw to several of the fruit trees now because of disease.

I have posted a link to a local winery just over the "hill" from us.



They have a nice semi-sweet Muscadine. It is a wild grape that grows here in the Southern States i.e. Dixie.

The Boss liked Zinfandel at one point, it is more of a "house" wine in restaurants around here. You can buy kits for it also, but I am not a "Kit" type guy.

HomeMade Blackberry wine aged for at least a year has always been my favorite. Makes a nice dry red dinner wine, plus it is good for the Heart.

BTW: I just saw the winery was For Sale. I believe this farm/land on eBay to be near it. It looked familiar when I first saw it, but I cannot be sure.


& be sure not to Drive, Operate dangerous machinery or Bid while you are consuming adult beverages.

[smiling-knife]

Thanks 9 ball...looks good. Compared to land prices in the UK that seems like a deal. Maybe I'll pack it all in and become a wine producer in TN.
Cheers s-k

[9ball]

Come on, me and the boys will help you move on in. They don't call this the Volunteer State for nothing!

The county is known to the real estate folks as East Tennessee's Last Frontier. Two rivers, two lakes, a nice mountain range running down the middle of the county. Trout streams and an 18 hole golf course. Tax rate ain't bad either.
You are right, that is a good price.

We also make our own fuel here, got it in the 32 swaller and 128 swaller size.
I'm the little feller with the hat on. That's the Boss in the center and Square Deal, our hired hand with the 10 guage.
He's kinda funny about counterfeit knives also.

[smiling-knife]

Golf, fly-fishing for trout, wine and neighbors like that. It seems too good to be true...what's the catch? s-k

[9ball]

I knew you would ask that, I sure would.

1. Then nearest major hospital is about 30 miles away. It's a long ride when you are having a heart attack or you have sold/traded Square Deal a counterfeit knife.

2. There is not a lot of jobs other than picking tomatoes i.e. labor intensive work. If you are not rich or self employed, you would have to drive about an hour each way five days a week for good money. And of course, most Ladies like to shop and that is the same drive. No shopping centers or malls.

The county goverment is trying to work with these things, but I do not see anything happening for at least 8 years or 2014. If they do, property taxes will move up. By then if nothing has changed I may sell out myself and move closer to one of the larger cities.

I will say this; you can always find a couple of knife people hanging around the Courthouse or Farmer's Co-op just like the old days.

[smiling-knife]

1. do you have those air chopper ambulances there? They can really cut down the travel time to the hospital.

2. I hate malls. Don't even really care for the big supermarkets...like to support my local grocer, butcher etc.

3. Big problem with the idependently wealthy aspect and too early to retire. But if I was TN newest vintner I would be self-employed.

s-k

[El Lobo]

About wine.....

When I was gainfully employed, the company I worked for once owned 3 vineyards. Taylor (NY), Monterey and Sterling (CA). We got some mighty tasty offerings at our larger meetings. Hooked me for life.

Bill

[smiling-knife]

Hi El Lobo,

I'm not familiar with the NY wines but do enjoy the Monterey and Sterling especially. As coincidence would have it, I have a bottle or two of the Sterling Cabernet around here somewhere. Very tasty. Unfortunately, US wines seem to be very expensive here. That is somewhat odd given the low prices of Australian and Chilean wines so it can't be attributed to shipping costs.

One thing I have noticed is that wine and ebay don't necessarily mix. Once or twice I may have bid a little more than I should have while under the influence. No serious regrets thought Cheers. s-k

[9ball]

Good morning Folks ,

Hey Bill,
We kinda got off topic, slightly

Taylor makes good wine I know that. Those New York wines have started to prove themselves. We use to buy one of theirs, but is has been awhile. I read a couple years back that the French were mad at them for some reason. I think they grafted American vines to French stock, not sure.

Sterling is popular here, but we have not tried it. I am not fimiliar with the other.
The Boss has been buying an Italian Lambrusco lately. It ain't bad after a hot day using a chain saw, I'll say that!

smiling-knife,

I have never even seen/heard of a Australian or Chilean wine around here.
There is an Australian beer, comes in a big quart like can.
It must be some kinda deal between our goverments. Especially between the price. Like the Zinfandel, it just a couple of bucks for a bottle/liter. Next time I'm at the winery I'll ask if they know. I believe, Johnie was from Germany.
But come to think of it, the taxes/duty is what may be driving up the price. What does a Lambrusco cost there? I think a three liter bottle sells for about 17 Dollars U.S.
Can you get Cuban Cigars?

*Read above:
"& be sure not to Drive, Operate dangerous machinery or *Bid while you are consuming adult beverages"
(If you are really interested in that winery, just send me a private email. I'll help all I can on this end. )

Gotta run

[El Lobo]

Real bold and peppery Zinfandel (not the inexpensive second pressing known as 'White Zinfandel') is my favorite with a good cigar... A small maker in Northern California (Cosentino) even makes "Cigar Zin" in small numbers each year. I enjoy it with a Padron, or one of the tissue wrapped El Rey del Mundos. Some of the Shiraz wines are pretty tasty as well.

Taylor makes mostly desert wines and domestic sparkling wines. As far as making the French mad...more power to 'em.

I know the 3 wineries were later owned by Seagram for awhile...don't know anymore.

Bill

[9ball]

That what they got mad about. They were calling their sparkling wines a champagne. Walks like duck, quacks like duck.......


I have not smoked in about 17 years now, but I wanna smoke a nice cigar before I leave

Ron Zin?

I used to know 7&7 also

[smiling-knife]

Hi gents.

To answer 9ball's earlier question, we can get Cuban cigars here no problem. There are several places in town to buy them. I'm not a smoker, but apparently they are pretty good. I brought some Monty Cristos (sp?) for a few of my American friends when we met up in France a few years ago. Seemed they were willing to put aside the govt's boycott long enough to enjoy them.

I like those big Zins and Shiraz's too El Lobo. They go great with a nice steak and baked potaoto. Seghesio and Ravenswood are two of my favourite Zins although I haven't tried a huge variety of them.

I hope you guys have a great weekend.

s-k

[smiling-knife]

Sorry... but you brought it up 9ball.

The Phylloxera aphid devastated the vines of Europe in the 1800s. It started in Provence in the 1860s and rapidly spread. The result of the infestation was a withering of leaves (which are critical to temp regulation i.e., a natural canopy for the vines), unripe fruit, and the destruction of the root system. Within 3 years or so the vine was dead. In 1872, the French government offered a 300,000 franc reward (alot of $ at the time) to solve the problem which resulted in a large variety of unsuccessful solutions from the use of toads to mass flooding and various chemical concoctions, especially including sulphur. A french bioligist and an American named Charles Riley discovered that the Phylloxera originated in America and that many native vine varieties (mostly in the Eastern US) had developed a resistance to the 'bug', although many others had not. Thus, a programme of uprooting the French vines and replacing them with grafts on to the resistant roots/stocks of US vines begun in the 1880s. Mnay smaller producers went under and there was dramatic decrease in the overall vineyard area but the prime areas survived.

Paraphrased and summarized from Hugh Johnson's The Story of Wine (1989) Mitchell Beazley Publishers.

s-k

[sunburst]

Ok, Ok I am going to show my ignorance here but that is nothing really new

I am a very late comer to the the enjoyment of wine and have just been getting my feet wet in this arena. My boss lives in Milan, Italy and has been nice enough to send my wife and I to Italy a couple of times where I have had opportunity to try the fine Italian wines and the not so fine Italian wines...

We spent 10 days in Sicily in September where almost every meal was some sort of fish dish that included white wine. Much to the dismay of my host in Italy and other friends who indulge in wine here in the states I have not found a red wine that I can say that I like but I have found a delight to my tastebuds with a fine white wine.

I would appreciate any help in a few recomendations to white and red wines that would not break the budget as I experience the savory tongue tingling sensation. I have noticed several Australian wines in the local grocer that seemed almost too affordable and have been a little nervous to try any of them, have any of you tried Australian wines.?

Thanks,

Sunburst

[smiling-knife]

Hi Sunburst, I see you've updated your Avatar also. I like it

I drink quite alot of Australian wine , mostly red so can provide some advice. I think Aussie wines are very good value for money. My favorite grape variety is Shiraz. It is the same grape as Syrah which you may have seen from California and France. Rosemount and Penfolds are two big producers which I am sure you can get there. The Penfold's Koonunga Hill is a good every day wine that I enjoy regularly. They make a full range. Their Bin 28 Shiraz is very good. For decent Shiraz, I like Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz and St Hallett is very good too. Their best is called Old Block but their Faith Shiraz is less $ and very good for the price. If you note down some of the Australian wines that are available in your local shop, there is a good chance that I have tried them and can provide a recommendation from those that are available to you. I don't drink many white wines but my mom does. I try some that she buys when i go home to visit. Her very favorite is Californian either Kendal Jackson (1) or Meridian (2). I find many of the Australian whites a little oaky for my taste. Rosemount Chardonnay and Lindemans Reserve Chardonnay are decent every day whites. I can provide recommendations if you want to spend more but you should be able to get the wines I mentioned for 10-20 dollars... maybe not the old block. I hope this helps. s-k

[sunburst]

Hi smiling-knife & happy anniversary to your one month here on allaboutpocketknives.com.

You have helped me a lot with your recommendations. I will now have to go suffer through the agony of giving your suggestions a try...

If you notice the slight slur in my writing ability then you will know that I am working hard on what you have mentioned.


Many thanks


Sunburst

[smiling-knife]

Thanks sunburst, I didn't even realize that today was my one month anniversary of joining the site. I hope I have made a useful contribution to the site. Certainly, I have learned so much in my time here from you and the other members. Thanks s-k

p.s., probably a good idea to avoid ebay if you have been drinking some of those shiraz. I may have bid a little more than I should have a few times while under the influence of a decent wine. If you send me specific names of the the available options in your price range I can give you more detailed advice. cheers

[smiling-knife]

oops technical problem

[smiling-knife]

This seems to be a bottle of a highly desirable Italian Brunello di Montalcino from one of the best vintages in Tuscany of our generation. I bought this wine for about $7.50 at a local convenience store awhile ago. What a deal If this was a wine site I would post this for your consideration under the 'Counterfeit Watch' heading. I have attached photos of the bottle (knife) and labels (tang stamps). I will provide an analysis in a day or two. s-k

[smiling-knife]

I almost forgot about this posting. This was definitely counterfeit. The name is a combination of two well know Brunellos; Casanova di Neri and Castello Banfi. The label is a crude rip-off of the Banfi label. See photos below for real Brunello. The price of the Banfi is about $70 or more and the Neri $120. The wine in this bottle was a $7.00 Tuscan sangiovesi. I bought it purely for the novelty and as a discussion point. Unlike the fake Case, it didn't cost me 171.00. I'll only go further with specific details from the labels etc if anyone is interested.

Sunburst... have you tried any of those Australian wines yet?

s-k

[sunburst]

Yes and I am still trying to get the bad taste out of my mouth....


But I was in a hurry as usual and picked up two bottles of chardonnay while running an errand for some other reason, one was called yellow tail and the other black swan. Being a wine novice in the negative degree I tried to judge the quality by the outside appearance while giving it a full 5 seconds to make up my mind....I will learn...

Then again I may have been down the wrong isle in the store and that is why they tasted like wallpaper paste...I was wondering what those buckets and brushes were doing there...

Thanks for asking....I will keep trying...

Sunburst

[agteacher2]

Back in my younger days we particularly like this vintage.

Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill

A refreshing taste of ripe strawberries with a hint of sweetness.


Sorry Guys I couldn't help myself

Jeff

[CCBill]

I found my thrill, ooooon Strawberry hill.....
(apologizes to Fats Domino)

[smiling-knife]

Jeff, I heard about that stuff...can't say I have ever tried it.

Sunburst.... sorry you had a bad experience . I tried Yellow Tail chardonnay once or twice and didn't care for it either. Never heard of the other one. Overall, I'm really not a fan of the whites but If I come across some worth recommending I'll let you know. s-k