Wine-lovers: where is your favorite wine region?
I recently did a trip to Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California and it was amazing!
Really nice wines. The wineries themselves have really cutting edge architecture. Lots of fine dining, offering sophisticated food -- all for a fraction of what you'd pay in Napa. They're really doing some innovative stuff down there. It's still a little bit under the radar but I expect that to change soon.
Any other favorite wineries or wine regions?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 73 | May 19, 2020 9:45 PM
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A well kept secret wine region would be Long Island. They really don't grow enough for export beyond Manhattan though.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | December 4, 2019 9:37 PM
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R2, that's new to me. I didn't know there was a wine region out there.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | December 4, 2019 9:58 PM
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Terraced vineyards of Lavaux on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). The Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 6 | December 4, 2019 10:10 PM
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R4
When I lived in Manhattan years ago, stores would carry Long Island wine, pricier but worth it!
by Anonymous | reply 7 | December 4, 2019 10:15 PM
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The Michigan coast had some nice wineries. I didn't expect that there!
by Anonymous | reply 8 | December 4, 2019 10:32 PM
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The Niagara Peninsula. Southern Ontario is pretty underwhelming, but the Niagara peninsula is an exception. nice scenery, mild summer temperatures, tasteful towns (Niagara on the Lake).
by Anonymous | reply 9 | December 4, 2019 10:37 PM
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I wanna go to MIAMI!!....
by Anonymous | reply 10 | December 4, 2019 10:54 PM
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My favorite winery in Baja is Encuentro. Not a bad place to stay, either. The architecture is a little out there (but I like it).
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | December 4, 2019 11:01 PM
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Oregon has some nice wines.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | December 4, 2019 11:27 PM
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I know shit about wine, and don’t even drink it anymore, but a friend brought a bottle of sauvignon blanc from Marlborough Estates, NZ and it was delicious.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | December 4, 2019 11:43 PM
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R12: The Willamette Valley south of Portland is excellent!
by Anonymous | reply 14 | December 4, 2019 11:46 PM
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Rias Baixas for white, Pfalz for red.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | December 4, 2019 11:49 PM
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New York Times got into it. Wine tastings are criminally cheap -- the only bummer is you're technically allowed to only bring back 1.5 liters per person across the border!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 16 | December 5, 2019 12:05 AM
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Finger Lakes has some nice wineries.
by Anonymous | reply 17 | December 5, 2019 2:03 AM
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My favorite wine in the world is Shiraz, so whatever area specializes in that.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | December 5, 2019 4:06 AM
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Rhône River - most intense and exciting wines in the world: Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Chateau Neuf du Pape, etc.
by Anonymous | reply 19 | December 5, 2019 4:10 AM
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Golan Heights
Judean Hills (Ella Valley)
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 20 | December 5, 2019 4:20 AM
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Chilean wines are pretty good.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | December 5, 2019 10:16 AM
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I like the Santa Ynez valley north of Santa Barbara. I’m not the biggest wine lover but it’s very scenic, a perfect weekend break and I really enjoyed the wines.
by Anonymous | reply 23 | December 6, 2019 6:15 AM
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R23, love that area as well. Temecula is nice as well.
by Anonymous | reply 24 | December 6, 2019 6:37 AM
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R18
Just an FYI that shiraz is pretty much the same as syrah.
by Anonymous | reply 25 | December 6, 2019 6:49 AM
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Costco! Tee-hee!!!
Oh that hurt to type. My fibro is, like, super bad today y’all!!!
by Anonymous | reply 26 | December 6, 2019 7:58 AM
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My favorite wine region is the 7-11, third refrigerator case from the left.
by Anonymous | reply 27 | December 6, 2019 8:05 AM
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I agree with R3, Bordeaux is now my favorite. I'm from Oregon and agree that what you find there is pretty good, but there is no comparison with what you find in Bordeaux. These people have been in the business for hundreds of years. Even the wine you find in small stores is excellent. I selected a bottle (think it was around 5 Euro) at a small store and it was fantastic. You can go on any number of wine tours in this large region.
by Anonymous | reply 28 | December 6, 2019 8:45 AM
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I love how accessible and popular wine has become. In the States at least, it used to be seen as more of a luxury for the rich.
by Anonymous | reply 29 | December 6, 2019 7:07 PM
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I don't know, but definitely not my hips …. ACK!
by Anonymous | reply 30 | December 6, 2019 8:02 PM
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OP - I'm looking to spend a couple of weeks in Northern Baja and the Valle de Guadalupe is on my list for all of the great wineries I've read about. Where did you stay? Ensenada? Roasarito? Any thoughts on either of these areas and where to stay?
by Anonymous | reply 31 | May 6, 2020 10:31 PM
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My favorite region is the one between my lips that the wine goes through as I'm trying to get drunk.
by Anonymous | reply 33 | May 6, 2020 10:48 PM
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R31, I've stayed both in Ensenada and the right in the actual Valle de Guadalupe. I've stayed in Hotel Entre Vinedos in a very nice, comfortable suite -- pool and jacuzzi and on-site restaurant. Very reasonably priced for what you're getting!
I recommend eating breakfast at La Cocina de Dona Estela. Amazing food in the valley! The only drawback is that you need a truck/high-clearance vehicle to navigate the rough dirt road.
Between Ensenada and Rosarito, I would choose Ensenada, as it has less of a spring break feel to it, and you're only about a half hour away from the wineries in the valley. Ensenada also has lots of good seafood restaurants.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 35 | May 7, 2020 2:05 AM
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Lucia Highlands Monterey County CA
by Anonymous | reply 36 | May 7, 2020 3:20 AM
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YEA! Thanks r35/OP for responding! I thought it was a shot in the dark with old threads.
Any other tips on the area? Some people will say it isn't safe. Were there any gay bars in Ensenada? General vibe? Any wineries you would recommend?
by Anonymous | reply 37 | May 7, 2020 5:24 AM
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The Egri region of Hungary.
by Anonymous | reply 40 | May 7, 2020 4:10 PM
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R37, sorry for the late response -- this thread and some others just dropped off my watchlist -- but I have a few suggestions:
I've never felt unsafe in Baja. I've always gone with friends or groups of people and we were fine going to various restaurants and shops in Ensenada, and never had any negative experiences. In general, unless someone is seeking out sketchy things, tourists are fine.
The toll road from Tijuana down south is a very smooth and well-maintained drive. Keep spare dollars/pesos handy for paying the tollbooth operators. They accept U.S. dollars/change.
The last time I went, I believe there was one gay bar in Ensenada, very much a locals bar. Grindr/Scruff are very popular.
Wineries I liked: Decantos, Monte Xanic. I loved the architecture of Bruma and they give nice tours of the winery. The restaurant, Fauna, is very good. I liked the space-themed architecture of Alximia and their wines as well. Sol y Luna gives free wine, cheese, and chili oil tastings (wine is not the best, but it's a fun experience). I have a couple of more wineries that I really liked, but I forgot their name off the top of my head, but I'll add later on when I remember.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 41 | May 13, 2020 8:48 PM
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The Cape wine lands of South Africa. Excellent wines and very inexpensive.
by Anonymous | reply 42 | May 13, 2020 8:51 PM
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R42, I am very intrigued by Cape Town. Just from photos, it looks like a gorgeous city. And they have wine country! I think I know where I would like to vacation when this is all over.
by Anonymous | reply 43 | May 13, 2020 8:53 PM
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R43 I just came back from 3 weeks of bliss in South Africa before everything went to shit. I’m from there originally and I can tell you that Cape Town and the surrounding wine lands are like no place on earth. If you can, do it. All the good wines are not exported to the US. Don’t judge based on the crap they sell in the US.
by Anonymous | reply 44 | May 13, 2020 9:01 PM
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Bordeaux. Not usually a fan of white wines, but white Bordeaux is amazing, and the Sauternes are incredible, if you like dessert wines. The countryside in and around Bordeaux is beautiful, and they seem to have a real appreciation for restoration. Wonderful place to spend a quiet week.
by Anonymous | reply 45 | May 13, 2020 9:11 PM
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Any wine from France’s Rhône Valley! They are diverse, amazing, and bursting with flavor - the wine world’s equivalent to a PRIMAL SCREAM.
by Anonymous | reply 47 | May 13, 2020 9:17 PM
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[quote] I’m from there originally and I can tell you that Cape Town and the surrounding wine lands are like no place on earth.
From the looks of it, there's mountains, beaches, and wine vineyards. I'm sold! What time of year is the best time to visit, you'd say?
by Anonymous | reply 48 | May 13, 2020 9:47 PM
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[quote]where is your favorite wine region?
Generally located around my mouth.
by Anonymous | reply 50 | May 13, 2020 11:15 PM
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The “Riesling Road” in Germany. Rieslings have gotten such a bad reputation in the U.S. (though that’s changing) that the German rieslings are a revelation. And the countryside is beautiful. An easy trip from Frankfurt.
by Anonymous | reply 51 | May 13, 2020 11:41 PM
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R48, for me the best time is late Feb and into Mar. That’s the end of the summer season. Schools are back and the weather is still good.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | May 13, 2020 11:56 PM
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Napa—some others mentioned above are good.
by Anonymous | reply 55 | May 14, 2020 12:06 AM
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R55, I love Napa and Sonoma wines. There is no lack of good food and wine up there.
by Anonymous | reply 56 | May 14, 2020 1:10 AM
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As long as we have some wine lovers here - What are some suggestions for a basic white and/or red "house" wine? You know, just a nice, inexpensive wine to keep on hand (and which would be available nationally). My tastes in wine are pretty basic but I'd like to avoid the really crappy stuff.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | May 14, 2020 1:19 AM
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R57, Paolo Scavino Vino Da Tavola is a good $14 wine. Coppola Claret always seems very drinkable for groups. Las Rocas Garnacha is another decent one. My partner likes Intermingle Red Blend from Aldi (lol).
by Anonymous | reply 58 | May 14, 2020 3:01 AM
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Lots of good wine from Argentina.
by Anonymous | reply 59 | May 15, 2020 1:23 AM
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R58 - people may laugh at the Aldi wine choice, but I've bought some good stuff there. Currently, there's a 1.5L Essenza di Vita Pinot Grigio (I believe 88 points) available for $8.59.
That's an incredible deal and it is very good wine - much better than any table wine.
Yes - I'm drinking a lot during the lockdown.
by Anonymous | reply 62 | May 15, 2020 3:09 PM
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Niigara Ontario has some great vineyards
by Anonymous | reply 63 | May 15, 2020 3:13 PM
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Pinot Grigio is a shit wine so nothing to brag about there.
by Anonymous | reply 64 | May 15, 2020 4:29 PM
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R64 really? I find it similar but not as good as Sauvignon Blanc which is my favorite wine especially in summer. There’s one called Springfield, life from stone. It’s grown in quartz and is unfiltered. Delicious! Comes from South Africa.
by Anonymous | reply 65 | May 15, 2020 4:39 PM
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R65 - there is a general opinion that Pinot Grigio is garbage, white-trash wine which I think is based more on its popularity than on being bad wine.
I don't care - the one I listed from Aldi scored good points, tastes great and is a good price.
Lambrusco is considered ghetto as well - but it is a wonderfully refreshing choice on a hot summer day. Most rose is garbage too - but don't tell women that.
I wish there were more controls on the wine industry - there's just too snobbery and bad stuff masquerading as good stuff. Your average drinker is playing roulette and it is difficult to know if you're getting a good value.
by Anonymous | reply 67 | May 15, 2020 5:09 PM
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[quote] there's just too snobbery and bad stuff masquerading as good stuff.
I think some snobbery comes into play because wine is comparatively expensive in the US versus in Europe, so therefore only until somewhat recently, wine was a luxury only for the rich. Even today, just one glass of wine at a restaurant is way overpriced. In Italy, for example, good wine is cheap and plentiful and enjoyed by everyone of all ages, rich or poor.
I do think that is changing though and wine is becoming more accessible here.
by Anonymous | reply 68 | May 15, 2020 7:08 PM
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Hunter Valley, NSW. Australia.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 69 | May 15, 2020 8:37 PM
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r38. Yes, Mendoza Argentina. I love Torrontes!
by Anonymous | reply 70 | May 15, 2020 9:23 PM
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Wherever they make Ripple, Thunderbird, Boone's Farm, and Manischewitz.
by Anonymous | reply 71 | May 15, 2020 10:03 PM
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Wine is ridiculously overpriced in the US, especially in restaurants.
by Anonymous | reply 72 | May 15, 2020 10:21 PM
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I've actually been to a winery in Lubbock, r53, on business. It is the flattest city I have ever visited.
by Anonymous | reply 73 | May 19, 2020 9:45 PM
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