Aeagle.240 net.wines utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ihnss!eagle!cw Sat Feb 27 16:06:35 1982 First Report on Red Table Wine Search Report on a search for a good red table wine: As you will probably remember, I began the discussion of a net.wines group by asking for information of possible red table wines. I would like to summarize what I have learned so far. First, let me report some information sent to me by others. One correspondent noted that two of my original suggestions were Spanish red wines from Rioja. They were Marquis de Caceres 76 (? maybe 77 ?) Olarra 73 The letter also suggested Marquis de Riscal Banda Azul Tondonia and others, all likely to be available and similar. He points out that the Torres brands come from another district (Penedes) and in his view are not really quite as good. My feeling after tasting is that the Rioja wines have a harsh edge on them that the Torres wines do not. I am trying some other Rioja's and some other Torres', but I expect that I will like the Torres better. Still, Rioja is certainly one of the red wines worth comparison. Finally, the letter points out that any Spanish consulate is likely to be happy to give you all the information you want about any of these wines. Another correspondent bought a case of Chateau Respide 78(?) for $22 at Bambergers 3 months ago and suggests that it was an excellent bargain. A third correspondent suggests that French clarets of 78, 79, and 80 are good for a cellar and quite cheap because of abundance. The manager of a good liquor store nearby gave the opinion that these would be drinkable in about 1987 by normal standards, but that the 80's would likely mature earlier. One 1980 goes for $4/bottle at that store; surely reasonable in case lots. Both the manager and the letter writer suggest that drinking these now is, in the writer's word, infanticide. The correspondent also points out that Ontario "Superior" wines are now reasonable if you can find them. I have never been a fan of East Coast wines, but if I see one, I will give it a shot. He says that the wineries there are now using vinifera, so that there shouldn't be any more Welch's flavor in the wine. Finally, another correspondent suggests Mondavi Red Table Wine, certainly available in abundance here in New Jersey at about $4-$4.50 a bottle. I bought a bottle today and will report on it. Two of us doing a local search feel that the Inglenook Vintage (be careful-- don't but Navalle) Burgundy in any year we've tried is quite good. It's price also hovers around $4/bottle. If I did no worse than this wine, I would be happy. Now for my first conclusions. Marquis de Caceres Both of these were a little harsh. I liked Olarra the MdC a slightly better. I suspect that these wines don't get the best possible handling and might vary from bottle to bottle. Torres Coronas I am buying a case for immediate consumption. Inglenook Vintage Burgundy A standard of comparison below which I need not fall. Premiat This is a line of Roumanian wines. Although they have been touted as good value and good wine, I think that they are harsh and do not have good red varietal flavor. I also get some earthy taste from them. I bought a mixed case from all over the world today, including Chilean, French, Spanish, and Californian wines. I will report as I taste these. Prices: Both the Torres and the mixed were $45/case all found. This comes to $3.75/bottle. I hope you folks will continue this discussion so that I have a lot more wines to taste. Charles Wetherell eagle!cw ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.