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Best wines under $7? chime in please....
 
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Murf
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P: 04/13/2017 21:24 EST
    Ok so believe it or not when I'm not headshotting you faggots I'm probably cooking something. Usually multi course meals for 4-6 people, somehow it's become my thing and I really enjoy it. One thing I've never really embraced however is wine and I've taken quite a liking to it now that I'm older. The $7 and under target reason is 2-fold.

1. My family drinks a shit ton of wine, I'm talking 3 bottles on weeknights and twice that on weekends. Week in and week out. This can get expensive in a hurry and I'd rather spend the money on food. I find *decent* supermarket brands to be in the $12-15 range and that's just too fucking much. Not to mention I've had some $20 well reviewed bottles that have tasted like piss.

2. We recently got a Trader Joe's and it opened my eyes to the idea of good wine for fucking pennies. I find the Green Fin organic to be fantastic for around $5 per. Terrain Vineyards red blend and Grifone (sp) Pinot Gritio also very good. I'm working my way through the various brands but there are alot and the reco's from the wine guy have been spotty outside of the ones I mentioned.

I can read about this shit on the internet but I have found that recommendations and word of mouth tend to be much better indicators, especially at this price point.

SO let's hear it, some of you douches have to be wine people. What's your fave and why, would also be nice to name the source in case I can't get it local in South Forida.
  
moose poop
Super Regular
Body Splatter

P: 04/13/2017 22:01 EST
E: 04/13/2017 22:02 EST
    Ok, you made the first baby step. Trader Joes.

Now I need more info. Reds, White - dry, fruit, mineral, do you care about oak, do you care about chemically enhanced, etc....

Pinot Gris, grigio is a very easy wine to drink and a good place to start. Costco has a own name Pinot G for about 5.99 that you can't go wrong on. lite and good for a good sunny day

BTW all the shit wine you leave over on Thrus night and Friday should be turn into sangria for the weekend

first rec: Since you are at Trader Joes, the Petite Shiraz grower's reserv. let it sit in a Decatur for 30 min.
  
EmotionallyDisturbedParakeet
Super Regular
FatGuy With
A LittleGun

P: 04/13/2017 22:52 EST
    I'm an alcoholic!   
Murf
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Killer Scout
Supreme

P: 04/13/2017 23:20 EST
    Thanks Gaba, that IS very helpful. So helpful it'll take me a while to process so I'm gonna haf to get back to you.

Moose -

Good shit my friend. You happened to recommend two wines from my favorite variety so far, pinots (both red and white) and shiraz. I do not like oakey wines (not a scotch guy either, much prefer whiskeys) so anything flavor profile or heavily tannic is a no go. Soft is a wine thing right? So far I like soft reds and dry whites, and surprisingly have enjoyed most of the red blends I've tasted although most wine people I know sneer at blends. Fuck them, moar for me. Mineral, enhanced etc not sure I would know that if I had it, would need a comparison to something I'm familiar with.

Wife is a fan of sangria so if I turn the losers into that on weekends its win win for me. Great idea. Too sweet for me though.

Do you have any particular go to brands I should look for? I've got TJ's, Total Wine (overwhelming) and Costco as my booze stomping grounds.

Thanks again.

  
sp0t
Super Regular
Assault Cannon
Lover

P: 04/14/2017 00:37 EST
E: 04/14/2017 00:38 EST
    Tons at Trader Joe's
The Chilean wines are pretty good
I prefer Merlot or most reds
  
EmotionallyDisturbedParakeet
Super Regular
FatGuy With
A LittleGun

P: 04/14/2017 01:18 EST
    I like that you called everyone faggots Murf :D  
Mr. Walnuts
Daycare Manager
Pipey FlagCatcher

P: 04/14/2017 01:53 EST
    In my previous life, I developed a really good palate. But I was exposed to the world's great wines every day and was under the tutelage of a sommelier I really respected ["grasshoppa, taste this" "Margeaux?" "Yes. Vintage?" "'72" "you have arrived"] But I quit all that to pursue a doctorate and all the jug wine receptions and poverty that entails. Thus, I lost the palate and can no longer feign snobbery in good conscience.

I, too, like to cook for groups, most of which like wine but aren't that finicky. But YOU have to be finicky because you want something to compliment the meal, n'est-ce pas?

I recommend staying away from screw-top wines and most box wines. I rarely come away from a couple of glasses of that stuff without my head ready to explode. That said, however, I did discover one brand of box wine that is a really good value and delivers what I think you are looking for. The brand is "Bota Box" and should be very easy to find. Runs about $18, but its the same as 3 bottles of wine. The best varietals it comes in are pinot grigio, merlot, zinfandel, and cabernet sauvignon (not for you). Stay away from the chardonnay.

So, Murf, I know you are saying "That fuckin Walnuts thinks I'm gonna plop a box down in the middle of my table." Why would you even THINK that? Fuck you. Carafes. Buy a few. You can scrounge 'em up at garage sales for pennies.
  
Mr. Walnuts
Daycare Manager
Pipey FlagCatcher

P: 04/14/2017 02:04 EST
    As long as I'm here:

A new friend just gifted me with a 2009 Faust Cabernet Sauv double magnum. Just found out it retails for about $250. So, naturally, I gotta host a dinner around it. Main course ideas?
  
Murf
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Supreme

P: 04/14/2017 03:19 EST
    Thanks Walnuts, that's good advice and I've actually had the Bota Redvolution at a party and enjoyed it. Looks easy to find here as well.

I'll tell you what I'm making tomorrow night for dinner is a huge huge crowd pleaser. Although I live in Florida now I grew up in the north and remember eating stews during the winter months. Years ago I found the recipe below for a beef stew made with short ribs that is sooo good I have people beg for it. Pair it with a big salad and some dinner rolls or french bread and you're done.

I would think your bold red would go amazing with this.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/short-rib-stew
  
Murf
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P: 04/14/2017 03:23 EST
   
EmotionallyDisturbedParakeet wrote:
I like that you called everyone faggots Murf :D
Technically accurate no?
  
Mr. Walnuts
Daycare Manager
Pipey FlagCatcher

P: 04/14/2017 04:24 EST
E: 04/14/2017 04:25 EST
    Solid recipe. I tucked it away. But you answered my question about what to serve with that wine. I do a braised short rib with port reduction sauce that never fails me. Maybe some horseradish mash potatoes.

I had to laugh when you said you had the Revolution. I purposely left that out. You will find all their other reds to be more pleasing. And you also don't have to worry about it going bad over the next week if you don't knock off an entire box...no air ever hits it the way its packaged.
  
Jesus_is_King
P: 04/14/2017 06:01 EST
E: 04/14/2017 06:12 EST
    Texas has H-E-B. They sell Oak Valley (or some other brand) for about $3 per bottle. It's good wine for the price.

Chardonnay... because it's dry/bitter, and it has this particular flavor, whether oaked or unoaked. Just an awesome wine. People will accuse you of being fancy, but I'm not trying to fit into some "wine culture."

I've never had a bad type of grape wine, so far.
  
moose poop
Super Regular
Body Splatter

P: 04/14/2017 17:03 EST
E: 04/14/2017 17:04 EST
   
Murf wrote:
Moose -

Do you have any particular go to brands I should look for? I've got TJ's, Total Wine (overwhelming) and Costco as my booze stomping grounds.

Not trying to be a dick but my tastes seem to be a bit opposite from you but here goes.

First I would state: no matter the price, the grape or the country fuck um all drink what you like and what tastes good to you.

With that said you will in time develop and change your tastes.

I would recommend that you look at California (napa) Meritage wines, while they are technically an homage to French Bordeaux style wines they do differ a bit and can provide some of the silkiest blends. Yet they are a bit above the range but try 1 or 2 for special occasions. I would rec: Camron Hughes lot 325 or the Kirkland 2010 signature $10-11

14 hands has a red blend that is a very drinkable Merlot and Red Blend in the $8-9 area at costco; maybe the first bottle at a nice beef dinner

I would look at any Kirkland product in the grape you like - historically you are buy a product at about 60% of its retail.

You may look at Rabbit Ridge Merlot, I've seen it at Trader's $5-6
Also, Crane Lake Shiraz

Also: you can make a nice white sangria with peaches, pear and mint if you want to cut back on the sweetness just don't use moscato, stick to the pinots and a less sweet mixer.

  
moose poop
Super Regular
Body Splatter

P: 04/14/2017 17:10 EST
E: 04/14/2017 17:17 EST
   
Mr. Walnuts wrote:
Solid recipe. I tucked it away. But you answered my question about what to serve with that wine. I do a braised short rib with port reduction sauce that never fails me. Maybe some horseradish mash potatoes.

I had to laugh when you said you had the Revolution. I purposely left that out. You will find all their other reds to be more pleasing. And you also don't have to worry about it going bad over the next week if you don't knock off an entire box...no air ever hits it the way its packaged.
have you considered a tarragon scallop with lamb lolly pops cooked with rosemary on the grill very simple yes interesting?
  
Mr. Walnuts
Daycare Manager
Pipey FlagCatcher

P: 04/14/2017 18:48 EST
    Alas, mr. poop, I have no grill as I wait for my place to be rebuilt. I'm not too comfortable with good cuts in an oven broiler.  
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Forums > General Discussion (Archives) > Best wines under $7? chime in please....