Question about purchase

PS But keep in mind mags (especially WS!) aren't always right. You might ask the clerk if he has recently tasted himself. Some clerks are more knowledgable about their stocks that others.

Yes I did try it. Just jumped right in so to speak. My wife talked me into it. The only way to learn is by mistakes sometimes.

Like I stated earlier, I am new to the wine world and sometimes have trouble identifying what it is I'm actually tasting. I did not like this wine a lot. The alcohol was overpowering. The smell was like rubbing alcohol. Please forgive me for this next comment if it seems sophomoric. Like I said I'm new to this. The 'pucker' was in the back of my mouth. Overpowering. Near my throat. With the aftertaste of alcohol. I don't know how to discribe it any better. Unpleasant to say the least.

Saturday night I tried a 9 dollar bottle of Twin Fin 2004 pinot with a screw cap. 5X the enjoyment. Was thinking about buying a few bottles but I guess I'm hung up on the stigmatism of the screw cap and low price. Thought I'd try something 'better'. I was wrong.

My biggest problem is when walking into a store there might be 30 or 40 bottles of wine in my price range in the type I like. I feel like I'm shooting in the dark.

jimi

Good for you for trying it anyway.

There is nothing wrong with your description. The pucker in the throat was probably tannins. Tannins in wine is not a bad thing if it's in balance with fruit, acidity, alcohol, etc., but that was not the case for you this time.

Don't be put off by the screw cap. Some pretty good wines are being bottled under screw caps lately. I'm not familiar with Twin Fin, but I sometimes find a $9 wine that's is quite good.

Me too.

If there is a wine store (or liquor store with a good wine selection --- typically not an ABC store) you should ask about regular tastings. Where I'm at, we have 8 stores with a weekly tasting ranging from $2 to $10 with an average of 6-8 wines per event.... if you somehow managed to get to all of them, you could be tasting 35+ wines per week (several of the reps taste the same wines in different locations, so it's not quite 8x6 per week) for the same or less than what you'd pay for a mid-priced bottle or two. Great way to taste a lot for a little.

Also, as you taste, try and take some simple notes about whether or not you liked it and why.... often, there will be a handout of the wines being tasted, and this is good because you'll find some information about the wine (vintage, producer, location, varietal, grapes used, etc.) plus maybe some mag comments (if they're positive). I'll generally give it a quick 1-5 score (1 worst, 5 best) and a couple of quick notes like "too fruity", "too acidic", etc., etc. to help refresh my memory later.

Also, at this same store, make a point of talking to the manager or a salesperson. Tell them what you like and dislike. Maybe, if you're having a special dinner and would like a wine to pair with it, mention that. The point here is to build a repoire with someone. If they give you good advice (meaning you like their suggestions) then go back to them next time. And if you don't like their recommendations (give 'em a couple of tries though), then try someone else. Eventually, you will find someone that you can trust to give you good recommendations. And often, they'll surprise you with something you've never considered.

Cheers, Gary

in article snipped-for-privacy@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com, snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com at snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote on 11/28/05 6:10 PM:

Twin Fin is one of the hottest new labels to come on the scene in the US in a while. It's owned by Constellation Brands which, apparently, is now the largest winery owner in the world (at least that's what I've read). Much of the Twin Fin wine is really rather good for the price. Maybe close to the value of Rex Goliath (which was also acquired by Constellation). And don't be put off by the twist tops. More and more wineries are using them, at lots of price levels. The negatives appear to be mostly psychological, historical and cultural.

Mi e' parso che snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com abbia scritto:

True, but time and practice (drinking) will shed much ligth over that darkness.