Stay with what you like or...

I would like the group's opinion on something. It just might be that I'm going about my enjoyment of wine tasting and drinking all the wrong way.

Does everyone in this ng have their favourite wine? I get the impression that many members enjoy a wide range of wines equally. In other words if the world was going to end tomorrow would everyone know exactly the wine they would choose or would any one of ten or twenty be sufficient?

When I buy a new wine I'm hoping it is going to have a "magical" taste. I'm always looking for something equal or better than the last good bottle tried. But alas, many are not.

Recently I tried a Cote du Rhone ($19 cdn) by Guigal and a Mondavi Cab($20cdn). In comparison to other 'big' reds these were a bit disappointing. So what do people do? Dump it? Drink it knowing it's just okay? Maybe I should be enjoying the differences and not worrying so much about finding wines that are in only like my favourite.

Any thoughts?

Larry Stumpf, S. Ontario, Canada

Hi again Larry;

Having the good fortune to live in very close proximity to the Niagara Wine Route (81) my wine acquisition methodology might differ in large respect to the methods of others. Leaving ad hoc pickups during the year aside, my method each fall is to make up a list of wine types (Chard, Riesling, Merlot, Gamay, Meritage etc etc) that I wish to acquire in the particular year. I then garner information from various sources (Nov. issues of Wine Access mag & the Vines guide to Cdn wines for example) and my own experience and contacts to make a list of 4 to 6 wineries to visit for each type. Then, during the rest of the fall & winter Marg (swmbo) and I take day excursions tasting only 1 type of wine and hopefully purchasing case lots for the year(s) ahead.

As for favourites, I am today haunted by a particular 98 GV which I would class as the best wine I have ever tasted. Sadly, I only bought 1 case. I am doomed to compare all other GVs to this "standard" and to date have found them all wanting.... Have had a similar experience with a Viognier....

I too would be interested to hear of others methodologies.