BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum

Our BetterMost Community => The Holiday Forum => Topic started by: Front-Ranger on November 16, 2014, 01:44:51 am

Title: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 16, 2014, 01:44:51 am
Funny you should mention that.  A friend recently brought me this:

(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10428706_10202429884983207_6241039127088336832_n.jpg?oh=e23509d51095d6a88633eb54af4c94bc&oe=54E4D42B)

Falls into the category "Buy for the label alone!"
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 16, 2014, 11:03:32 am
Did the contents live up to the label, friend?

Wine labels are getting to be like band names...no indicator of the tastes or sounds to be relished or endured.
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: serious crayons on November 16, 2014, 12:14:20 pm
Did the contents live up to the label, friend?

Wine labels are getting to be like band names...no indicator of the tastes or sounds to be relished or endured.

That one is tasteful and aesthetically sophisticated, though. My experience is that a label like that can be a good sign, but if the name and/or artwork is too cute, it's usually a bad sign for the wine within.

I once had a stranger in a liquor store inform me -- after asking if I knew where they kept the pinot grigio, the first word of which she pronounced like "peanut" -- that any wine with the word "bitch" in its name is guaranteed to be good. My theory would have been just the opposite, but apparently she had done some extensive research.  :laugh:


Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: CellarDweller on November 16, 2014, 04:44:46 pm
I've never even seen wine with the word 'bitch' in the name.
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: southendmd on November 16, 2014, 06:51:09 pm
Did the contents live up to the label, friend?

Wine labels are getting to be like band names...no indicator of the tastes or sounds to be relished or endured.

Yes, actually, this was a very good wine.
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: southendmd on November 16, 2014, 06:54:46 pm
I've never even seen wine with the word 'bitch' in the name.

(http://www.gopherwine.com/images/TheBitch2005.jpg)
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTidHo36OudngGtaNTZdDfeH8nDg5BPlbbn54WTSG0EUs6RS7Jr)
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwFnZ0PfA7IlSDpUXAGXTDLdcdPg_Q_w_fpkEKC5AvB6PkSBke)
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 17, 2014, 11:52:06 am
Yes, actually, this was a very good wine.

I'll add it to my "to buy" list. I'm buying wines for the holidays now. Although most of my guests are teetotalers, Jim Clark, a new friend, will be joining us and he likes good wine. He'll be fresh from extended living in Paris, Northern Italy, and Barcelona, so the bar is set pretty high.

Sonoma Valley is my favorite place for wine sourcing. Not just because our friend Bay City John lives there, but that is a big factor!
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: CellarDweller on November 17, 2014, 03:05:48 pm
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwFnZ0PfA7IlSDpUXAGXTDLdcdPg_Q_w_fpkEKC5AvB6PkSBke)

lmao!  They're all hysterical, but the Sassy Bitch one is great......I was at a house party a while ago, and one of the women there started to make comments in a joking way towards people.  I turned and made one back to her, and she turned to me and said "Oh, you Sassy Bitch!"

Now, whenever we see each other, she calls me "Sassy Bitch!"
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: serious crayons on November 18, 2014, 10:00:20 am
I turned and made one back to her, and she turned to me and said "Oh, you Sassy Bitch!"

Now, whenever we see each other, she calls me "Sassy Bitch!"

So now you know what to get her for Christmas!


Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 18, 2014, 11:35:19 am
Katherine, your comment made me realize that people are now buying bottles of wine to serve as greeting cards!
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 18, 2014, 11:46:27 am
Can it be that we don't have a wine topic in the Holiday Forum? I'm rushing in to repair this deficit! Sometime this week, I'm planning to acquire my holiday wines, and I'd love your recommendations! I'd like to get four reds and 2 whites for Thanksgiving dinner. Red wine has to go in some of the dishes, so that's why I'm favoring them; also because I particularly think red wine pairs well with turkey! (I'm planning to make Paul's red wine gravy)

Eurobrokies and Australians, you're welcome to weigh in on this topic too!
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 18, 2014, 01:22:59 pm
But why limit it to wine? On the topic of Scottish spirits, I attended the St. Andrew Fall Gala last weekend, and was served a wee dram of Glenlivet 12. I really liked it even though I'm not a fan of Scotches in general.
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: southendmd on November 18, 2014, 01:38:09 pm
Oooh, wine!

With turkey, I love red wine.  I used to serve zinfandel, but have moved on to Rhone-style wines.  This year, I think I'll serve a nice one from Bandol. 

Glad you're making red wine gravy!  Can't be beat. 

BTW, Jeff is our resident Scotch connoisseur. 

(http://ct-static.com/labels/244913.jpg)
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on November 18, 2014, 02:08:02 pm
But why limit it to wine? On the topic of Scottish spirits, I attended the St. Andrew Fall Gala last weekend, and was served a wee dram of Glenlivet 12. I really liked it even though I'm not a fan of Scotches in general.

Which once more goes to show that you are a person of good taste.  :)
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: CellarDweller on November 18, 2014, 07:39:13 pm
I have gotten this one from my coworkers for Christmas.

 ;D



(http://dieline.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345250f069e20120a96cb716970b-550wi)
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: Front-Ranger on November 18, 2014, 08:49:22 pm
Wha happened? Well, we got into a wine discussion on my blog, and I moved the entire discussion over into Holiday Forum. Why? Because I could!
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: serious crayons on November 18, 2014, 09:17:30 pm
I have gotten this one from my coworkers for Christmas.

 ;D
(http://dieline.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345250f069e20120a96cb716970b-550wi)


I'd rather have cowboy wine than bitch wine, anyday.

Paul, what's your red-wine gravy? Is it pretty much just like it sounds -- pan drippings, flour, wine? Or is there more to it?



Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: southendmd on November 18, 2014, 10:01:14 pm

I'd rather have cowboy wine than bitch wine, anyday.

Paul, what's your red-wine gravy? Is it pretty much just like it sounds -- pan drippings, flour, wine? Or is there more to it?

Here it is, from 2009.  Lee just bumped it:

http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,42937.msg550561.html#msg550561

Here's mine.  I swear by it, and use it every year.  I like to serve turkey with red wine, such as a Zinfandel, or a Rhone, and think that red wine gravy is a natural.  Because of the wine, it's very dark, rich and aromatic, smooth and silky. 

Paul's Red Wine Turkey Gravy

1) Flavor the wine: 
While the turkey is roasting, I place the giblets (neck, heart, liver, gizzard and whatever else) in a pan on the back of the stove.  Cover with red wine (something you wouldn't be ashamed to drink), add a bay leaf and a few whole peppercorns, maybe a whole clove.  Simmer at a very low flame; add more wine if necessary.  After the turkey comes out, strain and reserve.  (You can chop and then add the giblets if you must.  I don't.)

2) Make a RouxB:
While the turkey is resting, degrease the pan drippings (those gravy separators are very handy for this).  Place the roasting pan over two burners, at medium-high heat.  There will still be some fat in the bottom of the pan, plus all the flavorful bits.  In a large jar, add a few tablespoons of flour (Wondra--superfine flour--is pretty good here).  Add water and shake vigorously.  (This sounds strange, but it prevents any lumps.) To the hot pan, add the flour-water mixture and whisk like crazy.

3) Put 'em together:
While continuing to whisk, gradually add back the degreased drippings.  Add the strained wine.  Depending on the volume desired, you can either add more wine, or water, or chicken stock.  Whisk!

Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: CellarDweller on November 19, 2014, 09:09:09 am
I'd rather have cowboy wine than bitch wine, anyday.

:laugh:

I'd have to agree with you on that!
Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: serious crayons on November 19, 2014, 10:03:17 am
Thank you, Paul! That sounds delicious.  :D


Title: Re: Wine Recommendations
Post by: southendmd on November 26, 2014, 04:50:59 pm
Thank you, Paul! That sounds delicious.  :D

You're welcome, K. 

A little secret I just heard, and might try this year:  add a dash of soy/tamari to the gravy to bring out the umami flavors!