Red Wines that Age well
- Weddings
- CalWine
- Weddings
- Audra
- CalWine
- Weddings
- RickR
- Regan65
- winelabels
- mthrall
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» Weddings - I had a question come through the wedding grapevine about wines.
I had a question come through the wedding grapevine about wines. I have a couple that is looking for a fairly inexpensive (preferably under $10.00) red wine that they can purchase 25 bottles of now and open one each anniversary. They have had trouble finding a wine that would age well within their budget. Any suggestions from our wine drinkers?Jessica Hutson
-- posted by Weddings
» CalWine - Jessica, how many anniversaries worth of wine does your couple i
Jessica, how many anniversaries worth of wine does your couple intend to purchase? If they could spend $20, then they could opt for certain California Cabernet Sauvignons that have proven track records for the long haul. With a $10 limit, I would suggest Barbera or Petite Sirah. If you need specific referrals, let me know.Alan Boehmer California
Wine
-- posted by CalWine
» Weddings - They are looking for 25 years worth--specific would be great sin
They are looking for 25 years worth--specific would be great since my wine knowledge is limited to only may favorites--chosen purely by random taste, not knowledge of year, location, or aging properties.Jessica Hutson
-- posted by Weddings
» Audra - Audra Ligumsky <b><a href=/topics/page.cfm/15>Suite 101 wine co
Audra LigumskySuite 101 wine contributing editor
This is a hard question because your couple will want to enjoy wine for years to come and wine under $10. is ususally not made to be put in a cellar for a long period of time. My best suggestion is to do a tasting with many varietals. Then pick one they both enjoy and make sure it has enough tannins and acids to stand the test of time. If you dont no how to identify tannins and acids just ask the wine clerk to suggest a range of wines he feels will age well in the price range and see if you find one you feel is worthy. If you dont find it in round one try round two. This is a important wine for you future so I suggest taking the time to find the right one. I dont know a specific wine but I would look to the French Bourdeaux region and varietals. They have a reputation to produce wine that ages well in a variety of price ranges.
-- posted by Audra
» CalWine - Jessica, I agree with Audra's advice. Ask a reputable wine merch
Jessica, I agree with Audra's advice. Ask a reputable wine merchant for help. We could offer specific suggestions, but that won't help you if you can't find those wines. I will offer one personal anecdote: In 1978 I read that California Barberas would age for 20 years. I bought a case of Louis Martini Barbera, at that time a few dollars a bottle. Well, impatience and compromised circumstances led to early experimentation and within three years it was all drunk up. Fast forward 15 years: a close friend died and left me the remains of his wine cellar, which contained, among many lovely things, a single bottle of Louis Martini Barbera from 1980. I opened it last year and found it absolutely wonderful.WARNING: Wines to be stored for longer than a year MUST be held under temperature control. If you can't provide a proper environment, at least store them in a refrigerator.
Another thought: Don't overlook sweet wines. They can age very well, also, and are not always expensive. Madeiras and sweet Sherries age well, as, of course, do vintage Ports. I wouldn't age a non vintage Port, however, because of the lack of tannin. Madeiras and sweet Sherries do better than non vintage Ports because they are already partially oxidized and contain high levels of alcohol and residual sugar.
Alan Boehmer California
Wine
-- posted by CalWine
» RickR - Jessica,<br> Last week I found a real bargain at Cost Plus Impo
Jessica,Last week I found a real bargain at Cost Plus Imports. Moulin de Duhart '94. It is roughly double your couple's budget but a remarkable bargain. The wine is Paulliac, and the same basic blend as Chateau Lafite, as Duhart is an Eric Rothchild property. It will probably be at its best about 2006-2010, but will hold up very well through 2023. If they are in an area near a Cost Plus store, it may be worth their while to look.
Rick
Censorship-Suite 101
-- posted by RickR
» Regan65 - California Merlot
we have received a merlot as a gift for the past two years, it's called Electric Reindeer. It is a California Reserve Merlot. It says this is bottled in St. Helena Ca. Reindeer cellars. we have been serching for the maker of this merlot to no avail, nobody has heard of this wine or Reindeer cellars. does any one have any suggestions.Regan
-- posted by Regan65
» winelabels - Electric Reindeer
HiI think you'll find Electric Reindeer is an 'own label' brand for the CostPlus store in Denver, labelled for the Christmas period.
Maybe CostPlus can tell you the winery they bought it from, but the source may well change from year to year.
It sounds an interesting label; I'd like to have it for my 'Unusual Wine Labels' site
Regards
Peter
-- posted by winelabels
» mthrall - Re: California Merlot
In response to message posted by Regan65:Electric Reindeer is made by Adler Fels for Cost Plus World Market. Adler Fels also makes the Seacliff wines for World Market. I have not tried the Seacliff wines but I do like the Electric Reindeer Merlot and White Zinfandel. I only wish I had purchased more when they marked them down to $4 after the holidays.
-- posted by mthrall
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