1. I have that venturi thing and decanters, it really only matters with reds and I’ve found that it makes more of a difference with older wines, those 5 years old or older. I’ve used it with a decanter as an experiment with a ten year old bottle, worked great. Stemware is more important, get some reidels or similar large crystal glasses, I don;t know why but it makes a difference, just like beer in a frosted glass from a tap.
2. I like the advice regarding cheap wine, the problem is that with time and exposure, your tastes will inevitably change and the cost of the hobby goes up. But enjoy all of the phases and never turn your nose up at any wine until you’ve tried it, being suprised is half the fun. However, despite my open mind and the fact that I’ve tried it numerous times, my nose is eternally turned up towards pink wine, I just can’t do it. Friends don’t let friends drink pink wine.
3. Costco is the largest wine retailer in the world by volume and total $, their buyers are good and their markup is low, for an amatuer, hard to go wrong there especially in the wood crate area. For the wino, like myself, it’s a place to stock up on your daily drink and occasional high enders.
4. Cameron Hughes-there was a question about his wine, it’s a great story and an even better business model, you are getting your wine for about 35 cents on the dollar, I like most of them, when they are good, they sell out quick and are never coming back as they are all one time only deals. I’ve actually bought a single bottle, opened it in the parking lot, tasted it, then gone in and bought a case (true story, happened more than once, I probably need help).
5. Finally, my stomping grounds have been both attacked and praised. I’ve been hitting the Temecula wineries for close to 20 years and have been in many other winemaking regions. In fact I’m going monday and have been going twice a month lately. If you haven’t been here in the last year, if you have never come here on a weekday and if you have never ventured off the main drag, then you are unaware of what you are missing. It is true that the wines can be pricey, but all wineries charge more in the tasting rooms than at some retailers, it’s the way it is done. It’s hard for me to say which one is the best because at different times in my life, my tastes have leaned towards different wines. It is not true that it is too hot for whites, while I do not like most whites, there are many varietals and each favor different climates so that is too broad of a brush. I’m glad to see leonese being mentioned, the de portola wineries are beginning to lead the pack in quality and have smaller crowds, many of the dumpy looking, out of the way places have the best wines, Renzoni is accross the street from leonesse and his reds are promising. Speaking of leonesse, the members only barrel room is awesome on the inside, when TG finally gives up bachelorhood, throws on a tux and takes the plunge again, I’m doing it in that room. There’s also a few new ones opening tasting rooms in old town because their facilities are off the main road and don’t get the drive by traffic. The GF and I found one two weeks ago called Curry vineyards in the palomar hotel lobby and their syrah was awesome (the tasting room is a dive and seats 4, the winemaker pours the tastes and he drinks more than you do, but it’s fun and different).
For those of you who think Napa/Sonoma is the only real wine country, go rent “Bottle Shock” and see what it was like in the 1970’s. In fact wine history is littered with stories of “the little engine that could,” Madam Vueve Cliquot was widowed and nearly bankrupt, Rothchild was hated by Napoleon and wasn’t considered first growth, his decendents were hated and killed by hitler and napa/sonoma couldn’t sell their wine outside of no cal just 35 years ago, so cut Temecula a break, take your bad self and your closed mind and see for yourself why Southern California is on a path to make a run at the big boy table.
lastly, the Op asked about making wine. I’ve tried it, grew my own grapes, picked it, crushed it, racked it and eventually poured it all down the drain, it was horrible, I couldn’t even make a muscat. It made me appreciate the pros, the same way I appreciate sports, I know I can’t dunk or throw touchdowns, sometimes I think I can, but in the end it’s better for everyone if I just watch other people play in the NBA and NFL and I drink wine other people make.
