New to NG

First Muirenn, welcome. I'd suggest a start with the food as the base for your survey. If you list some of YOUR favorite dishes, then it's very easy to get folk in the NG to comment on their ideas for pairings. As the preperation of almost any dish can change the wine pairing, the other way will lead to dozens of recipes that might not strike your fancy, or proved very difficult to gather the ingredients. It would also help if the group knows where you are located. If you happen to be in NZ, I wouldn't want to start suggesting dozens of CA/US wines, that might not be available to you - same for recipe ingredients.

As I share your hobby of food pairings with wines, of all flavors, I want to participate, howeve I can. Be a bit patient, as this is a worldwide group and many people might not see your post for what seems like a very long time.

I will follow the thread, and comment in approximately two weeks, as I will be hiking the Ko'olau range on Oahu until March 9, and will NOT take my laptop with me.

Good luck, Hunt

It has been brought to my attention that I need to tell you all where I am I am in CA USA. We like sipping wines too.

Hello Muirenn,

Welcome in. Everyone in here is almost always most polite, and as a newbie myself I've learnt a lot over the few years I've been lurking and more recently posting.

I've asked a lot of dumb questions, and people are always polite and helpful and generous. This is probably the most civil usenet group around I think.

With regards to the tracking of wines, keep a small notebook, and jot down the vineyard name, vintage, variety etc in that. That way you always have a hard copy somewhere. You may even want to keep all the bottles, or steam off the labels, even scan them and store them electronically, or publish the images on the net.

These sheets may help you with descriptions of tastings for your own benefit or even posted here.

You may even wish to upload your notes to the internet on your own webpage. Basic HTML is fairly simple to learn, and if ppl know your web page address they can check in and search through your notes. And you can access your notes anywhere in the world at any time.

I hope that helps,

Mat.

A small spiral notebook is always convenient.... slips easily in a shirt pocket or purse. Also, 3x5 cards work well too. Then, entering into software (Excel could work well... set up columns for wine, vintage, date tasted, notes, etc.) makes it easy to keep-up with, sort and (most importantly) find again.

Often at wine store tastings you may also be able to get a listing of what is being offered, and this makes a great place to jot down your thoughts since everything else you need is on the list (vintage, wine, price, etc.)

Welcome to a great newsgroup. I think that you will find that most everyone who posts here wants to help others appreciate and learn more about wine. I read through some of the previous replies and several familiar names immediately popped up.

Cheers, Gary

Hi Mirenn,

First .. welcome to the newsgroup. You will find there are lots of great people here, all with quite varied wine experience and knowledge.

No matter what method you choose ... I tend to use my software for that ... definitly start taking notes. You may find that over time you will change format, etc. But I can assure you that it is really enjoyable ( when you're an old curmudgeon like me ) looking back over

30 years of them.

It's kind of like the lost art of journal keeping.

Art Stratemeyer ============================

A Community Celebration the Joy of Wine,Gardening and the Arts

Cellar! Wine Software