caloy76 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 you guys should have checked out the Grand Wine Experience held at the Mandarin Oriental yesterday at least whats available in the Philippine market. It featured over 400 wines and Montes was there to grace ther event. Quote Link to comment
marvin_8 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 merlotasti spumante Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 merlotasti spumante<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Â Yeah but which ones? Not all merlots are created equal, nor asti spumantes. With both, the great majority of what's out there barely qualifies as drinkable, but those that are good can range from extremely pleasant to outstanding. Â Merlot has become the "chardonnay" of the red wine world. It's an easy wine to make and it's easy to hide its flaws. While I have a case or so of the '98 Noah's merlot left, I've let it sit there in favor of possing open cabs, syrahs, petit sirahs (not the same as, nor even related to, syrah), mourvedre, pinot noir, charbono, zins and just about anything else that's red - I think I've turned into a member of the ABM club! (ABM = anything but merlot, just as ABC = anything but chardonnay)Â Asti spumante in most incarnations tends to be an overly sweet, low acidty rather bland bubbly overall, but I've had a couple that reminded me why bubblies are so well loved the world over. That Ballatore stuff is atrocious! If you like asti spumantes, then go looking for a Vouvray (a French wine from the Loire Valley) - look for the petillant demi-sec. A bit bubbly, a touch of sweeteness. Bracing acidity to counter the sweetness. Or a good prosecco (another Italian bubbly). Or, if you get Spanish wines there, look for Freixenet Cordon Negro. Great value! Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 21, 2004 Author Share Posted November 21, 2004 Interesting how many well-respected labels are owned by comglomerates, eh? You're right - Constellation does have a good repurtation for being pretty hands off and giving the labels leeway to manage themselves. Given the internal feud between the low-end and high-end parts of the business, however, how they strike the balance will signal the fate of the different labels. Interesting also that Constellation now owns the Inglenook brand. The old Inglenook winery was bought by Heublein in the 70's after which it degenerated from being a premium wine outfit to a schlock, mass-produced, low quality, box-wine label. They've got quite a mix ranging from high-end "good" wines to mass market supermarket labels. Francis Ford Coppola (of Apocalypse Now and Godfather fame) bought the old estate and vineyards back in the 80s. He's slowly bought up the properties around the estate, re-assembling just about all, if not all, of the original vineyards as established by Swedish sea captain Gustav Neibaum, who established the winery that came to be known as Inglenook. Hence the name Neibaum-Coppola. Which reminds me - I have a couple of '95 Mondavi zins (and at least one '92 and '93!) hiding under the house somewhere. The '95 vintage is considered the best of the '90s for Napa Valley zins. Time to open and savor them! Those and the '95 BV zin I bought on the same wine tasting trip.Well, the holidays are here and what better way to celebrate and engender good cheer than to open and share a good bottle of wine? Thanksgiving is coming, and we're having dinner at my brother's place - so let's see what we're bringing to the table....... for the turkey - Champalou Vouvray (an off-dry petillant would have been good, but I couldn't find one so the off-dry still wine will have to do) for the white drinkers, J Nicole's Vineyard pinot noir for the red winos. A bottle of J bubbly to start (with appetizers). A full syrah (Fenestra '98? Neibaum-Coppola '99?) after dinner (with cigars). A nice Passito de Pantelleria (which one? choices, choices!) with the cheese or the pumpkin pie........my wife will be driving me home!!! Zins don't go too well with turkey. Too bad.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I saw some Inglenook Dry Reds at some grocery shelves here selling for less than P300...I didn't wanna try them  Well happy Thanksgiving there, and happy imbibing! As you know, there's no Thanksgiving here...siguro we'll have a Thanksgiving only if the Philippine situation improves after decades of stagnation The next big holiday here is the Xmas season pa and I guess I have to open another 2001 Shiraz.... Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 21, 2004 Author Share Posted November 21, 2004 you guys should have checked out the Grand Wine Experience held at the Mandarin Oriental yesterday at least whats available in the Philippine market. It featured over 400 wines and Montes was there to grace ther event. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Â pucha I forgot that! The newspaper clipping of that event is still somewhere inside my wallet....how was it? by invitation lang yata yun eh..... Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 21, 2004 Author Share Posted November 21, 2004 Yeah but which ones? Not all merlots are created equal, nor asti spumantes. With both, the great majority of what's out there barely qualifies as drinkable, but those that are good can range from extremely pleasant to outstanding.  Merlot has become the "chardonnay" of the red wine world. It's an easy wine to make and it's easy to hide its flaws. While I have a case or so of the '98 Noah's merlot left, I've let it sit there in favor of possing open cabs, syrahs, petit sirahs (not the same as, nor even related to, syrah), mourvedre, pinot noir, charbono, zins and just about anything else that's red - I think I've turned into a member of the ABM club! (ABM = anything but merlot, just as ABC = anything but chardonnay) Asti spumante in most incarnations tends to be an overly sweet, low acidty rather bland bubbly overall, but I've had a couple that reminded me why bubblies are so well loved the world over. That Ballatore stuff is atrocious! If you like asti spumantes, then go looking for a Vouvray (a French wine from the Loire Valley) - look for the petillant demi-sec. A bit bubbly, a touch of sweeteness. Bracing acidity to counter the sweetness. Or a good prosecco (another Italian bubbly). Or, if you get Spanish wines there, look for Freixenet Cordon Negro. Great value!<{POST_SNAPBACK}> ....which reminds me - I was buying a Banrock Station Shiraz yesterday and by mistake I plucked out a Banrock Station Merlot from the shelf. Only when the counter girl has punched out the sale did I notice my mistake. I tried to have the Merlot changed with the Shiraz because same price naman pero madaming hassle pa sa pagpalit so I got stuck with the Merlot  I think some labels should differentiate their wine varietals by a different label design or color kasi sa shelf magkakatabi lang sila and it's easy to make a mistake when you're in a hurry.... Quote Link to comment
caloy76 Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 pucha I forgot that! The newspaper clipping of that event is still somewhere inside my wallet....how was it? by invitation lang yata yun eh.....<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Â It went well....i was not really by invitation but the tickets would cost about 3000 pesos. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 We were walking around Pier 39 yesterday and came across the California Wine Experience - it's a wine store for the tourists who don't get the chance to go out to Napa or Sonoma, I guess. Saw a bunch of those Marilyn Merlot, Elvis, Dead Red and other wines you buy for the name and the label. Seems some of them are "alcohol reduced" meaning the alcohol content is 0.5% or less! Wonder what they taste like. Someone else TOFTT. I'm afraid to! But - also saw a bunch of V. Sattui wines. Remember how I said they were only available at the winery? Wrong! This store had them! Cab, merlot, sangiovese, syrah.....so if you're passing through SF and don't have the time to go to Napa, stop by this store at least for the V. Sattui wines.  They also had some Rombauer chardonnays, and a Rombauer late harvest chardonnay dessert wine. The only chard I've bought over the past 2 years was a Rombauer Reserve chardonnay - it's that good.  Also a bunch of other wineries represented, including some Paso Robles wines. Pretty rare to find those this far up north. Quote Link to comment
Raintribe Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 not yet, but planning to....but somebody whom I trust said it tastes of cough syrup....<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Â Halu! Yes, I have tasted Chinese red wine (Madam and Great Wall). It's rather sweetish and I would venture to say would be extremely popular with Pinoys. Personally, I prefer something dry and red. Quote Link to comment
masi Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 I was at Anthony's last Saturday to buy wines in prep for Christmas giveaways. They had wine sampling.. They had 4 wines but only got to taste 2 - Trillo premium red wine (Argentina) and a Rostchild Mouton Cadet. The Trillo is a house brand... just your typical table red wine.. dry with some tannins. nothing significant but worth the buy for less than P200 a bottle. I could survive with this bottle if only for a drinking wine at home or with friends. The Mouton Cadet was something else...I had the pleasure of opening the bottle and letting it breathe for a few minutes. At first taste, I knew it was special. I did this without changing glass or eating anything to break the taste of the first wine. I asked how much and was told it was sold at P990 per bottle. This is really worth the buy. What was more pleasant about the wine was that i drank it for free. My basic intention was to buy a moderately priced wine which i will give to friends and relatives.  After drinking several glass of the Mouton, I ended up buying 2 cases of Dourthe rose which i will give out. I also bought a few bottles Dourthe red, i forget if it was a burgundy or a bordeaux and some casillero y diablo cabs and merlot for my personal consumption. The wine tasting will continue upto the end of the month so for those planning to buy wines go to Anthony's... Btw, i am not being paid by Anthony's to do this. You will get that same discounts that I got. Quote Link to comment
Raintribe Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Hi! I know of a group that sells fine French wines. A bit pricier really but got a few to give out to select clients. Actually, am no expert and wanted something a bit sure. So, I just asked for a moderately priced selection from this group. They carry Colombelle 2003 which was chosen Best Buy by Wine Spectator (but if you are the snooty sort who is a "cork" guy, you probably won't like it because it's sealed with a twist cap). However, they also have Cuvee Privilege 2002, a gold medalist at the CGA Paris and a Silver medalist at Macon 04. Guess what, it's not even more than P1,000!!!! Practically everything they carry has been validated by gourmet groups and wine masters. Ask your friends who this group is...don't want to advertise. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 The Mouton Cadet was something else...I had the pleasure of opening the bottle and letting it breathe for a few minutes. At first taste, I knew it was special. I did this without changing glass or eating anything to break the taste of the first wine. I asked how much and was told it was sold at P990 per bottle. This is really worth the buy. What was more pleasant about the wine was that i drank it for free.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> What vintage was this Mouton Cadet? Gotta go try it. Over here you can get it at BevMo and at Costco for about $8. Earlier vintages were not so good so I gave up on it, but if it's getting better I certainly want to tryi it again! Just for kicks, and to see what's available here, and at what prices, here's a link to a higher-end wine store. I've gotten to know one of the proprietors - guy by the name of Joe - who supplies me with my passito de pantelleria (that's a dessert wine) and my splits (half bottles) of bodeaux.  http://www.vintagewinemerchants.com/ Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Hi! I know of a group that sells fine French wines. A bit pricier really but got a few to give out to select clients. Actually, am no expert and wanted something a bit sure. So, I just asked for a moderately priced selection from this group. They carry Colombelle 2003 which was chosen Best Buy by Wine Spectator (but if you are the snooty sort who is a "cork" guy, you probably won't like it because it's sealed with a twist cap). However, they also have Cuvee Privilege 2002, a gold medalist at the CGA Paris and a Silver medalist at Macon 04. Guess what, it's not even more than P1,000!!!! Practically everything they carry has been validated by gourmet groups and wine masters. Ask your friends who this group is...don't want to advertise.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're seeing some wines there that I don't see here - that Colombelle is one example. I'd really like to give it a try, but I haven't found a distributor here yet! Quote Link to comment
masi Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 Last night, I finally got to open a bottle of Gran Trillo (p190), a house brand of Anthony's. The label simply said premium red wine so I surmiced it must taste like your regular less than P200 vin de table if not your typical vin de pays. To my surprise, this wine has body, flavor and mild tannins. My experience with this was pleasurable. I recommend this to anyone who is familiar with wines or to those who are starting. Try it.... it's money well spent. Quote Link to comment
masi Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 What vintage was this Mouton Cadet? Gotta go try it. Over here you can get it at BevMo and at Costco for about $8. Earlier vintages were not so good so I gave up on it, but if it's getting better I certainly want to tryi it again! Just for kicks, and to see what's available here, and at what prices, here's a link to a higher-end wine store. I've gotten to know one of the proprietors - guy by the name of Joe - who supplies me with my passito de pantelleria (that's a dessert wine) and my splits (half bottles) of bodeaux.  http://www.vintagewinemerchants.com/<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I dont remember the vintage as I was busy looking for the wine to giveaway. But could be between a 2000 to 2002. As for top end, of course there is Petrus which I bought (and my office paid for it) at P54k per bottle in 1999 which we gave a present to a former president. The Lafite sell for about P10k to P12k here. Wines and other liquor are heavily taxed here. I would think the taxes and duties levied on wine sold here would easily double the wholesale price you get there, especially if you can get them at Costco. I really wonder how retail wine shops in the U.S. could compete with Costco? Quote Link to comment
Raintribe Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 (edited) You're seeing some wines there that I don't see here - that Colombelle is one example. I'd really like to give it a try, but I haven't found a distributor here yet!<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't want to advertise the company myself but please give Jacelyn Palacio a call at ******* She will be happy to enlighten you Cheers!!!! Best regards,Raintribe While it was well meaning and sans malice, kindly refrain from posting phone numbers most especially if it belongs to someone else. Board policy. You may always use the PM button to relay information of this kind. Thanks for understanding. -Lipstick- Edited November 25, 2004 by Lipstick Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 (edited) I don't want to advertise the company myself but please give Jacelyn Palacio a call at *******. She will be happy to enlighten you  Cheers!!!! Best regards,Raintribe<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks, Rain, but I'm afraind this won't help me out - I'm in the SF Bay Area, not Manila and environs......OTOH, the happy news is I have access to the premier wine regions in the US!!! So all is not lost........ Just edited the phone number. Please see my note in the original post by Raintribe. Thanks. -Lipstick- Edited November 25, 2004 by Lipstick Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 It went well....i was not really by invitation but the tickets would cost about 3000 pesos.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Â ok....quite expensive pala, but then puro free tasting na siguro, right?were any wines for sale? Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 Halu! Yes, I have tasted Chinese red wine (Madam and Great Wall). It's rather sweetish and I would venture to say would be extremely popular with Pinoys. Personally, I prefer something dry and red. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> was it by any chance CCL who made you taste those wines? He is my unimpeachable source of info about Chinese...well you can say it could be popular here - but only for beginners...medyo nag-mature na din yata ang wine drinkers here...most of them get turned off by sweetish wines...I mean those wines that are not supposed to taste sweetish  you prefer dry and red...well yes we also prefer voluptuous reds hehehe.... nice of you to drop by, miss raintribe Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 I was at Anthony's last Saturday to buy wines in prep for Christmas giveaways. They had wine sampling.. They had 4 wines but only got to taste 2 - Trillo premium red wine (Argentina) and a Rostchild Mouton Cadet. The Trillo is a house brand... just your typical table red wine.. dry with some tannins. nothing significant but worth the buy for less than P200 a bottle. I could survive with this bottle if only for a drinking wine at home or with friends. The Mouton Cadet was something else...I had the pleasure of opening the bottle and letting it breathe for a few minutes. At first taste, I knew it was special. I did this without changing glass or eating anything to break the taste of the first wine. I asked how much and was told it was sold at P990 per bottle. This is really worth the buy. What was more pleasant about the wine was that i drank it for free. My basic intention was to buy a moderately priced wine which i will give to friends and relatives.  After drinking several glass of the Mouton, I ended up buying 2 cases of Dourthe rose. I also bought a few bottles Dourthe red, i forget if it was a burgundy or a bordeaux and some casillero y diablo cabs. The wine tasting will continue upto the end of the month so for those planning to buy wines go to Anthony's...<{POST_SNAPBACK}> thanks for the info, pare...gotta check out that Trillo house wine - pwede na at that price for everyday drinking...come to think of it - they were able to name that Argentine wine after themselves.... Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 Hi! I know of a group that sells fine French wines. A bit pricier really but got a few to give out to select clients. Actually, am no expert and wanted something a bit sure. So, I just asked for a moderately priced selection from this group. They carry Colombelle 2003 which was chosen Best Buy by Wine Spectator (but if you are the snooty sort who is a "cork" guy, you probably won't like it because it's sealed with a twist cap). However, they also have Cuvee Privilege 2002, a gold medalist at the CGA Paris and a Silver medalist at Macon 04. Guess what, it's not even more than P1,000!!!! Practically everything they carry has been validated by gourmet groups and wine masters. Ask your friends who this group is...don't want to advertise.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> How much is the Colombelle? Medyo bihira din dito lumabas yung mga featured wines sa Wine Spectator....PM me na lang the name of the group, if it's ok with you..thanks... Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 (edited) I don't want to advertise the company myself but please give Jacelyn Palacio a call at *******. She will be happy to enlighten you  Cheers!!!! Best regards,Raintribe<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think I know why you don't want to blurt out the name of that wine outfit  Just edited the phone number. Please see my note in the original post by Raintribe. Thanks. -Lipstick- Edited November 25, 2004 by Lipstick Quote Link to comment
Lipstick Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 Bods! I just remembered now that you mentioned there was a Wine Fest in Sydney today (Nov. 25) ... sayang I was in the City for lunch and walked around a bit in the afternoon. Quote Link to comment
bods1000 Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 Bods! I just remembered now that you mentioned there was a Wine Fest in Sydney today (Nov. 25) ... sayang I was in the City for lunch and walked around a bit in the afternoon.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> sayang...yup that was yesterday but it is for two days - so meron pa ngayon...cheers and have a nice day! Quote Link to comment
Lipstick Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 And where in the city would it be Bods? Shempre di gumagana ang kahit anong search machine dito kasi sa pc ng father-in-law ko. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
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