Wine site advice

[Napoleon54]

I'd like to buy some wine online. Anyone have a site to recommend? Any experiences to share, good or bad?

Much TIA!

[Nija]

http://www.bevmo.com

http://wine.woot.com (changes weekly on Sunday Nights @ 10 pm CMT)

You can usually order from your favority winery ( http://www.kazwinery.com !)

[kgsilvas]

Go to the Deals page here at G|A and search for Wine. They've got several reputable sites to choose from. I've ordered from a couple of them and haven't been disappointed.

:agree: with Nija about your own favorite winery. Can't go wrong there!

[Napoleon54]

I've tried several sites but haven't been able to find what I'm looking for, which is something quite specific: last year's Beaujoulais Nouveau. I drank my last bottle a couple days ago and it was fabulous, it matured very well over the past year. This year's should be coming out soon and I wish I'd held on to that bottle so I could compare them. Somebody somewhere's gotta have some if it left.

[Prngr44]

Is this it?

http://www.klwines.com/product.asp?sku=1018086

I've ordered from them before... good experience.

[Napoleon54]

Is this it?

http://www.klwines.com/product.asp?sku=1018086

I've ordered from them before... good experience.

*GASP!!* YOU ROCK!!!

The one I had was from Georges Duboeuf winery, but this will certainly do!!!!!

[Napoleon54]

Aww poop.

Location / Quantity On Hand Information:
The 2005 Beaujolais Nouveau, Louis Tête you have chosen is not in stock in our retail stores or within our fulfillment center.

[Nija]

http://www.wineaccess.com/store/sawyersbuyrite/ecommerce/product.html?product_id=10774809

First link on Google. I've never heard of the place.

my search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Georges+Duboeuf+Beaujolais+Nouveau&spell=1

[zippyjuan]

Beaujoulais Nouveau is a very young wine, barely fermented, and does not usually last until the next year because it has few if any tannins in it which help wines age. Kind of like a year old bottle of Welchs. You won't find any- and if you do, it will certainly not be as good as it was then. Your basic beaujoulais will last longer because it is fermented longer. The new vintage comes out later this month. http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html I would pass on any 2005 if you find some.

[Napoleon54]

Beaujoulais Nouveau is a very young wine, barely fermented, and does not usually last until the next year because it has few if any tannins in it which help wines age. Kind of like a year old bottle of Welchs. You won't find any- and if you do, it will certainly not be as good as it was then. Your basic beaujoulais will last longer because it is fermented longer. The new vintage comes out later this month. http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html

Nouveau isn't necessarily intended to be a good wine, it's intended to give an impression of how wines that do get aged will turn out. All the wine Bohemians gather 'round, sipping mediocre wine and say things like "oh, I think this will be a good year". Kind of a novelty. I've been drinking it for years and I'm not at all suprised at having difficulty finding it. I kept a bottle of last year's on a whim, drank it last week and I thought it was very, very good. Thus I seek more.

[zippyjuan]

As long as you enjoy a wine, that is all that matters. It was basically something to drink while the "better" wines fermented. It makes no pretences to grandeur- the intent is light refreshment.

[Nija]

BTW - that favorite winery I listed above is absolutely awesome and totally organic.

/Shameless plug
//Loved all the wines given during that tasting session

[Napoleon54]

http://www.wineaccess.com/store/sawyersbuyrite/ecommerce/product.html?product_id=10774809

First link on Google. I've never heard of the place.

my search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Georges+Duboeuf+Beaujolais+Nouveau&spell=1

THANKS A TON!!! I just ordered a few!


BTW - that favorite winery I listed above is absolutely awesome and totally organic.

/Shameless plug
//Loved all the wines given during that tasting session
Did you try the zinfandel, how was it?

[guiseppewv]

winelibrary.com ---> This place is the bomb. I have bought a lot of wine from them in the last 6 months. The key to purchasing any wine mail order is to purchase at least 12 bottles, unless you are getting free shipping. Also, you don't have to purchase 12 bottles of the same wine.

They have a huge variety especially, in their Italian wines. I have ordered great wines from all around the world from this place. I also have ordered some of the best ports for under $15. As a matter of fact they have a port on there that is under $8 that is awesome.

What other kinds of wines are you looking for? I might be able to point you to a few that I think are great. :)

[Napoleon54]

What other kinds of wines are you looking for? I might be able to point you to a few that I think are great. :)

Thanks for the site recommendation! :thumbup:

I mainly prefer dry reds- ex. zinfandel, syrah/ shiraz, petit syrah, etc. Pinot Noir is good as well, and I'll sometimes go for a merlot or cabernet. I'm a sucker for something peppery and/or with current or cherry flavors. High ABV (14.5 and up) is a bonus. I'll drink just about anything as long as it isn't really sweet. Beaujolais nouveau is an annual event for me, it's something fun and exciting in the otherwise rather subdued/ stuffy practice of buying and sampling wine.

I don't drink whites too much (usually in the summer), but I do like pinot grigio, chardonnay (but not too oaky), gerwertzraminer (I know I spelled that wrong), sauvingnon blanc... again anything that isn't really sweet.

I enjoy trying out the smaller, lesser known wineries rather than the big ones (Columbia Crest, Turning Leaf, etc).

A few that I'd recommend off the top of my head are Steele's Zinfandel, Bogle's Petit Syrah, Two Tone Farm's Merlot.

Edit: BTW, what's the port you referred to? I like port, sometimes especially with a little fresh ground pepper sprinkled into it :)

[Napoleon54]

Here are a few that have caught my eye, seems like a good start to a one case order:

-Nineteen Nineteen Syrah 2004 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=4812
-Chat Reynella Old Cave Tawny Port http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=16194
-No Sauvignon Blanc 2005 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=8653
-Gonnet Font Du Vent Cotes Du Rhone Village Notre Passion 2003 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=1396
-Castello Della Paneretta Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=6479
-Pessagno Idyll Times Zinfandel 2003 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=8677
-Bogle Zinfandel 2001 http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=22760
-Bogle Petite Sirah http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=60570

[Napoleon54]

Yesterday I got a call from the vendor I'd placed the order with for 3 bottles of '05 Beaujolais Nouveau. They said they've been out of it for a long time and don't know why it was still shown as available on the site. Needless to say, I cancelled the order and have given up on trying to find it. Oh well. I'll buy a case of this year's if it is any good.

[guiseppewv]

Damn good Syrah - http://www.winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=5899

Good ports -
http://www.winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=60210

Doh!! They had an awesome port for $7.99 but is now not listed on their site anymore. Drat, I was going to order some more this week.

[Nija]

Did you try the zinfandel, how was it?

Sorry your order didn't work out.

Yes, I tried their Zin (Sarah Nader '04), ZAM (Yes it was worth the price), all the ports and one other one (whose name I forgot) It was our favorite stop on the tasting trip. I found there descriptions to be extremely accurante (If they say it tastes like Choclate with a hint of Cherries, you will taste Chocolate and Cherries)

We purchased the Zin & the ZAM ( :heh: ) I remember the Zin being pretty dry, and it paired well with a marinaded Chicken Breast and garlic mashed potatos.

[PoorAvatar]

I'd like to buy some wine online. Anyone have a site to recommend? Any experiences to share, good or bad?

Much TIA!

Wally's is a good resource. If they don't have it they will help you find it.
http://www.wallywine.com/XMLWally.asp?page=1&keywords=Beaujoulais+Nouveau&sort_by_field=

[Markel]

A few weeks ago http://wine.woot.com had 4 bottles of Parker Station (started by Fess Parker) wine (2 syrah, 1 pinot noir, and 1 chardonnay) for $30 (with free shipping because it was the official launch week of wine.woot.com). I like syrah a lot, so I picked up on 2 sets. So far I've only opened 1 bottle of the syrah, but I enjoyed it. They have a higher-than-average ABV.

I mentioned in another thread, but a couple of weeks ago Trader Joe's had a "special" (not part of their normal stock) offering of a Clos du Bois Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (I think it's 2003) for $15. When I tasted it, I couldn't help but pick up a bottle, then go back the next week and pick up 3 more.

[Nija]

Wally's is a good resource. If they don't have it they will help you find it.
http://www.wallywine.com/XMLWally.asp?page=1&keywords=Beaujoulais+Nouveau&sort_by_field= (http://www.wallywine.com/XMLWally.asp?page=1&keywords=Beajoulais+Nouveau&sort_by_field=)

That place is two blocks away from where I work.

Why am I thirsty all of a sudden

[Napoleon54]

I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT!!!!!

Went to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau, and right next to it is a stack of about 10 cases of last year's Beaujolais Nouveau, the exact wine I was looking for about two weeks ago, with a big sign saying "Compare to this year's!" I'd bet money that they only got it 'cause two weeks ago I asked if they had any left and they decided it sounded like a good idea. I flagged down one of the employees and asked, pointing at the '05 Nouveau, "where the heck did that come from?!? I was looking for that two weeks ago and you didn't have any!" He said they ordered it and it came in a few days ago, didn't know anything else about it. Either way, yippeee! :cheers:

[cheapie]

i'm so frustrated. i know that i like some wines. and not others. but i don't have a clue as to what it is that i like and don't like. sigh....i guess i need to go on a decent wine-tasting tour somewhere to figure it out.

there are some wineries here in michigan but i'm guessin they're crap.

i have about 30 bottles in the basement of various types...syrah, cabs, merlot, chardonney, but i don't think i have any pinot.

:shrug: i go to the local store and oogle over the selection but have no idea what i should grab.

[cheapie]

is there any program that i can load on my blackberry to help me narrow down my choices when looking around? something that would give ratings on the various wines i'm looking at?

[Nija]

is there any program that i can load on my blackberry to help me narrow down my choices when looking around? something that would give ratings on the various wines i'm looking at?
http://www.airborne-e.com/website/winespectator/

Found that off the Wine Spectator website. It seems like anything over a 90 on their point scale is $50+/bottle, but and 89pt wine is just as awesome ;)

[Jeffbx]

there are some wineries here in michigan but i'm guessin they're crap.

Many of them are, and they certainly don't compare with California or Washington, but they're worth trying out, esp. the ones from the Leelanau & Old Mission areas.


i have about 30 bottles in the basement of various types...syrah, cabs, merlot, chardonney, but i don't think i have any pinot.

:shrug: i go to the local store and oogle over the selection but have no idea what i should grab.

Start popping the corks & try them out! You're the best judge on what you like. I've had some 95 point wines that I just couldn't stand, and some 85 point that were great.
Set up a wine tasting party at your house - have everyone bring a bottle or two, crack them open & have a bit of everything.

[cheapie]

we drank a bottle of that crappy australian wine....what's the one that's popular? the bottles are yellow, red, purple, etc? i think they have a kangaroo on them?

i had bought a bunch and forgot how much i liked it. yellow-tail?

anywho...i'd like to try some oregon pinots sometime. i heard they are pretty good and not as sharp as cabs. is that correct?

[kgsilvas]

You might want to check out woot.com. They're in a Woot!-off and wine is up again.

[Napoleon54]

we drank a bottle of that crappy australian wine....what's the one that's popular? the bottles are yellow, red, purple, etc? i think they have a kangaroo on them?

i had bought a bunch and forgot how much i liked it. yellow-tail?

anywho...i'd like to try some oregon pinots sometime. i heard they are pretty good and not as sharp as cabs. is that correct?

Yea, sounds like Yellow Tail. Sounds like an accurate impression of pinot noir.. something like a cab- dry but not really dry, a little softer, tannins about the same or maybe a little lighter. What's the wine region in Oregon, Willamette Valley or something like that? And there's another named for the river that flows through the area. I suck with names and am not in the mood to look it up right now. I think I've had a few from there anyhoo.

I agree w/ Jeffbx: drink drink drink! Experimenting is the best way to go. Try different stuff 'til you find something you like, then try to find others similar to it. No need to spend big bucks either, you can get very good wines for <$10.

[cheapie]

You might want to check out woot.com. They're in a Woot!-off and wine is up again.


these look interesting:

http://www.woot.com/Images/Sale/Jepson_Winery_Mendocino_Mix4J9-standard.jpg

1 Jepson 2005 Screaming Rosé
1 Jepson 2003 Estate Bottled Syrah
1 Jepson 2005 Summertime White
1 Jepson 2003 Estate Red

$40/incl shipping. Been trying to find reviews but no luck.

[Markel]

these look interesting
I've been hoping someone could post some information on this before they disappear from the wootoff. Visiting wine sites from my work doesn't work. :(

[cheapie]

that's why you need a sprint card baby! looks like i'm on the network but...NO! :heh:

[cheapie]

we had a fondue party at the house on friday. the guests drank nearly all of the chardonney i had! :heh: time to stock back up.

how concerned do you get about the temp of where you keep your wine? mine is kept in the basement against the wall in a closet. i'm guessing the temp doesn't vary much because the earth behind the concrete in the closet keeps the temps steady. ??? you agree? should i get a thermometer and check it for a month or so to see if this is the case?

also, how do you know which wines to keep for a while and which ones to drink quickly? i don't really have much that i've had for over a year. maybe a few bottles of clos de bois merlot and some smoking loon but that's all the wine i've kept for a bit.

sigh...too much to learn.

[Jeffbx]

Yeah, that's where I keep mine too (in the basement) and it seems fine. As long as the temps don't fluctuate too much you're ok. If you're worried, the cost of wine cellars seem to be dropping pretty steadily - Haier has some nice ones on Amazon.

As fas as how long to keep them? That's a tough one. Some wines note right on the label when's the best time to drink them. Others, you need to do some research.
Good article on it - http://www.wine.com/aboutwine/article.asp?ArticleID=8&ArticleTypeId=2

If you're OK paying for it, you can look here: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Vintage_Charts/0,3842,,00.html
or here:
http://www.erobertparker.com/

Or there are a bunch of other publications out there that can help - Wine Enthusiast, The Wine Advocate, Wine & Spirits, International Wine Cellars, Connoisseurs Guide, The Wine News - most of them charge a subscription to get all of the detailed info.

Othewise, you're stuck with the google.

[Napoleon54]

For long-term storage try to keep the bottles on their sides. This keeps the cork moist and less likely to break apart upon opening. A wet cork also helps prevent gas exchange which can lead to oxidation and funky odors/tastes. These aren't issues for synthetic corks or screw tops though.

[Nija]

Cellartracker works also for tracking your cellar and when you are supposed to drink the wines.

On a side note, Nap I bought the '06 version of the wine you were originally looking for @ BevMo for $10. Just because I remembered this thread. :)

[Napoleon54]

Cellartracker works also for tracking your cellar and when you are supposed to drink the wines.

On a side note, Nap I bought the '06 version of the wine you were originally looking for @ BevMo for $10. Just because I remembered this thread. :)


Cool! It just came out on Thursday, I think I paid $8.99? Last night I had a bottle of it along side one of last year's. First thing I noticed in comparing them is that this year's is deeper in color, more purple/ violet compared to the reddish hue of the '05. I wonder how many of the differences are due to a year of age versus varying growing conditions. Unfortunately it's not possible to keep a bottle of wine for a year without it aging, lol. Cryogenic storage? Time travel back a year and return with a fresh bottle? Anyhoo, I think it will be a good year for French wines.

[cheapie]

winelibrary.com ---> This place is the bomb. I have bought a lot of wine from them in the last 6 months. The key to purchasing any wine mail order is to purchase at least 12 bottles, unless you are getting free shipping. Also, you don't have to purchase 12 bottles of the same wine.

They have a huge variety especially, in their Italian wines. I have ordered great wines from all around the world from this place. I also have ordered some of the best ports for under $15. As a matter of fact they have a port on there that is under $8 that is awesome.

What other kinds of wines are you looking for? I might be able to point you to a few that I think are great. :)

do you watch the winelibrarytv? that guy is great! i'm buying a bunch just on his recommendation.

[cheapie]

mother$%^&$#$!!!! i just spent a couple hours watching the wine-tasting and picking out wine just to find out you can't order wine from NJ for delivery in michigan!!!!!

[guiseppewv]

Doh!!! Does wine.com ship to MI?

Wine.com is having 1 cent shipping for purchases over $100. Code: SHIP1CENT - valid until Nov 30.