wine questions

[stone-ground]

Love the wines from California! Unfortunately for Canadians, they are so pricey across the border. But so many greats to choose from if you live in CA, and at such a reasonable price.

Tend to go for the Argentinean wines for the most part, as you can get some great wines for a fairly reasonable price. Same with some of the South African wines.

Personally, go for wines with a high alcohol percentage .. meaning it's the sugar content or ripeness of the grape at the time of picking. Find it's much more robust and with great flavour and a good kick. Try and pick wines of 13% and higher, faves being around 14.5%.

Not sure that's how one does it or not, but it works for me!

[GoTexan]

Originally Posted by AliceT

I am fond of sparkling wines and champagnes., I am told I have no taste, so you have been warned in advance...

Being on a rather tight budget, I need to think "cheap" when buying wine. While it is certainly cheaper to make your own wine than buy it, I'd rather not get into all that here. So... For the times I have no home made wine to spoil myself with, here's my formula for making lower grade wines last a bit longer or go a bit farther and suit my budget, too.

Several brands make inexpensive wines from burgundy to white zinfandel and everything between and offer them in gallon size for under $10. Watch supermarkets that carry wine, such as IGA or Hannaford. Often, discontinued bottles of wine will be discounted in a grocery cart for quick sale.

My "recipe" to stretch the wine (I like to have wine before bed and occasionally on movie night with my popcorn):

1 gallon inexpensive wine
1 bottle champagne (Andre comes to mind)
Container large enough to hold both
Combine the two and keep in the fridge in a few glass bottles with lids. I re-use the glass bottles that I get EVOO in. These have screw top lids and can be washed simply enough with hot water.

The finished wine is a lightly sparkling wine suitable for making this poor old hag feel a little elegant every evening.

I do a little something else when money is tighter than normal and I still want to feel pampered with an evening glass of wine. I have been known to add 2 cups of white grape juice or apple juice to the mix a time or two.

interesting ideas....

Sometimes, I will add seltzer water, like pellegrino, to my vino if I know I can't drink a full glass but still have to be 'social.' Also helps save on the calories!