Re: Boxed wine suggestions; Franzia is unpalatable...

No pinot allowed in Chinon! If it's not 100% cab franc, it doesn't qualify for the AOC. It was inplied that nothing but c-f is even allowed to be grown in the appellation, but that seems implausable, no?

A comparison sounds fun, maybe a grand BiB tasting?! :)

Indeed. Still, statistically speaking... ;)

If I may presume to count myself among them, thank you. And to my distant compatriots, I hope it's been a fun one. We tend to forget about it altogether here, until the newspaper reminds us...

-E

Better that than a dollar short. ;^)

Thanks, and I'll pass that along to my wine-partner, Phil, whose birthday it was also. :^)

Tom S

Salut/Hi Mike Tommasi,

le/on Sun, 06 Jul 2003 09:07:11 +0200, tu disais/you said:-

No, I wish it were. It's simply that I _cannot_ get my head round Loire rules. Call it imbecility - or age and idleness.

On yours or the rule maker's part? :)

Regardless, I don't think pineau is allowed, either.

You say potato, I say potahto...

-E

Dana,

You asked a rational question, but you didn't get the informtion you were looking for. So, here it is: Try the higher-end Almaden box Cabernet. First, pour a desired amount into a glass or decanter. Then, keeping the wine a desired cellar temperature (put it in the refrigerator) let it breathe for 20-30 minutes. (It works for 10-year old Lafites and La Tours, and it also helps a boxed Almaden cabernet. - Don't laugh if you haven't tried it.) . - Then, if you like the wine, consider using it in the future as a second or "house" wine when you don't want to open a bottle. From my experience over the years, the boxed Almadens seems to be a relatively good, inexpensive choice for a backup everyday wine, when I don't want to open a bottle. - Of course, if you don't like it, try something else.

- - - Note that the key to this process is the step of determining whether or not YOU like the wine. - Not whether others advise you that it's not acceptable, or not worth your while.

Jim

dnrg wrote:

Jim,

I bought a box of this Almaden last night. 5 Liters for $10.99. I decanted as you suggested. It's actually not that bad! They need to put shoulder straps on the box, so I can wear it like a backpack! :-P

Jim Cate wrote:

Hi Jim, Dana, I may have been guilty, but I did recommend a good box wine. Haven't tried the Almaden because I've been purchasing the Hardys Shiraz. Before that, it was Jean Duree Cabernet. Like I said, I've been purchasing the Hardys Shiraz, but yesterday I had to visit 2 liquor stores to purchase their last 3 boxes. "It's on order", they said. Oh Oh, that's what they said before Jean Duree faded into oblivion. Meanwhile the truckloads of Franzia keep rolling in. I still recommend Hardys box wines, but you might find a variation from box to box. Some are "Oh" and some are "Whoa!"

(excuse the t> Dana,

I have tried several box wines over the years, and this was one of the few reds that I could live with. Apparently, there are more choices in whites, roses, and "light" or "refrigeratable" reds. As mentioned, I think that the same "breathing" and lowered temperature treatment should be applied to box wines as they are to better ones. - Sort of like providing a "level playing field."

Jim

N8 wrote:

I just left the box in the fridge after polishing off about 1.0 - 1.5 L last night.

I couldn't help but think about the movie "THE JERK" with Steve Martin, when he has the WINE COOLERS (white and red) outside his tennis courts!

:-D

Jim Cate wrote: