I'm a new wine drinker. Any suggestions?
Nine years ago I recieve tons of great crystal glasses as wedding gifts. Now I'm finally doing something with them aside from dusting them. I've been buying wine by price assuming the more expensive it is, the better. I don't like sweet wine (white zinfandel) I've been drinking Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. Is that considered "good"? I live in CA and want to go on a wine tour, but I have no frame of reference. Help me out. Any suggestions on how to start on becoming a connoiseur?
A good wine is the wine that you like. It doesn't matter how much it costs. We've had good cabernet for $8/bottle and excellent for $50/bottle. It's what YOU like. Personally I prefer champagne, Mumm Napa Valley and Schramsburg are two of my favorites. My husband really likes Zinfandels (not white zinfandel).
I recommend going to the Napa Valley for a weekend if you have the time and the money. I like the Roman Hot Springs hotel. Go with someone you like and take turns driving. Try whites and reds and bubblies. I recommend stopping at the following wineries:
Schramsburg, best explanation of the sparkling wine process and their champagne is some of the best I've ever had;
Van Der Hayden, some of the best wine ever, buy a bottle of late harvest cabernet if you have the money;
Arroyo, good wine, good atmosphere;
Mumm, good champagne;
Caymus, excellent excellent wine, pricey;
Domaine Carneros, the setting is gorgeous and the appetizers fabulous, plus they have great wine;
Robert Mondavi has good wine and tour;
Stags Leap Wine Cellars has most excellent wine;
V Sattui is an excellent place for lunch.
There is no need to pay for a wine tour; you can do it yourself, like I said before, just take turns driving. Have fun.
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