Recently I've been tasting a lot of different brands of wines. I've strayed from my usuals and ventured out to find new gems. I thought a was a diehard Merlot fan...at one point, then I came across Zinfandels and Pinot Noirs. Was my mind changed by the fancier names, or was it the flavors I was enjoying more? I thought it was the flavors, but have recently been enjoying some Cabernets, which I thought I liked less than I actually do. Are you following so far? I'm working on an experiment right now and it seems as though I like Merlot better than Cabernet on the higher price (by high I mean $20) brands but prefer Cabernet on the lower priced (all the way down to $3) brands. Is this coincidental? I first noticed this with Tisdale. They're the $3 gems I found at our local Bottom Dollar. I bought both Merlot and Cabernet, and Pinot Grigio for my neighbor (it's one of her favorites). In tasting them I became aware that I liked the Cab better. It kinda shocked me. I've come across some folks recently who don't care for Merlot and prefer Cabs, so I thought, when given the option, I would get both from the same winery. With Barefoot wines I prefer the Merlot and I recently had the chance to try Clos Du Bois and preferred the Merlot from them as well. While both wines were good, the Cab started out a little overbearing. By the second and third glass it had mellowed a little. May have been my taste buds numbing or may have been due to the extended breathing the latter glasses were exposed to. I find that big flavored wines almost act as appetite suppressants for me. If I drink a light bodied wine while cooking dinner I eat a regular meal. If I've opened a deeply flavored bottle, as the Clos Du Bois Cabernet was, I find myself less hungry when dinner hits the table. Anyone else find that to be true?
One more shocking truth...
It was suggested a while back that I try Delicious Red by Vella. A box wine. I couldn't find it anywhere and finally decided to try the Burgundy by Vella. I think I mentioned already that I liked the lighter tones for a casual glass while making dinner or relaxing in front of the TV. I finally found the Delicious Red and like it as well. It's a sweet red without overbearing sweetness. While I would never use either of these as a complimenting beverage with a meal, they are both fine for casual sipping. Rather enjoyable actually.
Let the banter begin.
3 comments:
I think it really comes down to personal taste. I would say that you have a better chance of finding more bang for your buck in a CA Merlot than a CA Cab. Also, if you like softer wine, Merlot is probably going to be much easier to get along with... at least this has been what I've found from my personal experience.
For me, I love Cabs because when they are made well, they can have tons of personality and character. For instance, notice how it changed as you drank it. Someone once told me that a good glass of wine will cause you to taste and observe something new with every sip. That being said, there are MUCH better Cabs out there than the Reserve Cab from Clos du Bois, but that's not saying that it is much better than many others out there.
What do you think of Cab/Merlot blends? I like these because they offer the bite and personality of the Cab while also having the roundness and fruit of the Merlot.
I always enjoy discussing wine with you!
Cheers!
I really like the Barefoot Cab but you are right....it mellows as it goes:-)
Barefoot Cab is great so I guess I'll have to beg the wineboy at the market to get it in for me. you say it's worth it, so I'll try it out, cause honestly you haven't led me wrong yet girly.
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