What sorts of red wine do you like?

The name "Zinfandel" has a funny story.
Do you know it?

 

Don't tease us...

 

Far be it from me to try to tease you.
It was just a question.

Here you may find the answer:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinfandel

So "Zinfandel" is a kind of typo for "Zierfandler" - which is a completely different grape anyhow.

 

OK, I've got a funny story about my favourite red wine which I just learned from Wiki when I was looking up which variety of grape Chateauneuf du pape was made from (there are 18 different varieties allowed but Grenache is the most common with over 70% of wines made from it).

The Pope's new castle, built in the 14th century is in ruins now but there's enough left for it to be worth a visit. Visiting medieval castles is a favourite pass time of mine. Unfortunately it's not very close to my little house in France but if I'm ever in the area I'll be sure to have a look.

 

Vive Grenache!

 

You have got to be kidding me. I don't care if you leave out Cabernet Franc, which I do not care for, but you left out SYRAH/SHIRAZ. This is one of the major grapes, and possibly my favorite.

 

It's right there along with Grenache under ''others''.

 

I think it is time for a thread on the topic of the rosé wines.

 

The other major constituent grape of the Rhone, besides Grenache, is Syrah, which I, personally, prefer. If you like Châteauneuf du Pape, you might also like to to try it's "little brother," Gigondas, which is a bit cheaper than the prestigious, "...du Pape," appellation, but which I think is a more appealing wine (certainly a better bargain).

You can also find Grenache grown in Spain, where it is called Garnacha, often blended, as in a fair wine that I'm currently drinking (75% garnacha, 25% tempranillo).

 

While our politics differ, we agree that rib cuts are the tastiest, and it's best right around the bone (though that makes it harder to cook evenly). Or just go for beef ribs.

Not to be a wet blanket, but dark beer actually lowers you testosterone, I've heard.

I'm not a vodka fan (but if you're looking for a super-smooth vodka, try Pearl, from Canada). And if I put alcohol in my coffee, it's gonna be Irish whiskey.

 

But neither of those should be an, "other;" these are two of the principle red varieties, ahead of about half of those that are named, specifically, on the poll's list.

 

You may list YOUR favourites, I listed some of MY favourites.
There are about 1000000000000000000000000000 grape varieties, as you surely know.
So some choice has to be made.
And I made my choice, and you can make your choice.

 

You think YOUR taste is the only taste that counts?
That YOUR taste is some kind of natural law?
And your opinion is infallible - more so then the Pope's opinion?
You should know the good old Latin wisdom: "De gustibus non est disputandum" = about taste there is no use quarreling - or so ....

 

@ Trollinger

May I introduce this pleasant red wine:

https://www.germanwines.de/knowledge/grape-varieties/red-grapes/trollinger/

 

I understand you cannot list all varieties; but you should certainly mention the MAIN ONES. There are quite a few that you included, which do not rate as a principle red variety, but Syrah absolutely does. Could you have left Merlot off the list, and then reply, "I can't list all of them?" to someone who pointed out that omission? It is patently ridiculous to have a poll of red varietals, and to relegate Syrah (& Grenache) to the catch-all category of "others," yet to include Malbec, Regent, Trollinger, Dornfelder, et Al, among those named.

 

You are mistaking YOUR WAY OF THINKING, with mine. I am suggesting a wine which is one of the most drunk in the world. That is not my opinion, that is a fact. It is YOU, who apparently thinks that your own opinion supercedes the facts, by listing varieties that represent a tiny, tiny, fraction of acreage, devoted to red wines. Shall we compare the number of acres cultivated with Syrah, versus Trollinger? Or how about the amounts consumed, annually, of Syrah compared to Dornfelder, Pinotage, or Regent?

And you now try to justify your narcissistic list, by implying that it is ME, who has the conceit? You are apparently delusional, or the biggest hypocrite I have encountered on this site, which is saying something.

https://lymebaywinery.co.uk/blog/top-20-wine-grape-variety-guide/

<SNIP>

Don’t know your Syrah from your Shiraz? Befuddled by Merlot and Malbec? Fear not – our handy guide to the world’s top 20 wine grape varieties will make you sound like a convincing connoisseur in no time.

The Wine Grapes Varieties

• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Carménère
• Chardonnay
• Gewürztraminer
• Grenache
• Malbec
• Merlot
• Muscat Ottonel
• Nebbiolo
• Pinotage
• Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
• Pinot NoirL
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sémillon
• Shiraz / Syrah
• Tempranillo
• Viognier
• Zinfandel

 

Let me mention the Regent instead.
Regent, with an R as in red.

More: https://www.germanwines.de/knowledge/grape-varieties/red-grapes/regent/

 

Blimey, even in a thread void of politics some people can Trollinger it up in here.

 

Muscudine is the only red wine I can tolerate. And the only grape grown locally. I hate, literally hate, a wine that has oak sawdust added. Or an oaked wine. Terrible....nasty...in fact, I hate more wines than I like.

 

Note that, on that list of the most popular varieties, there is NO TROLLINGER, REGENT, OR DORNFELDER. So who was the pompous ass who said that I thought I was the Pope, for suggesting that Syrah belonged on the list? It was not because Syrah is possibly my favorite red, that I suggested it-- that is your ego trip. I mentioned it, because IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR, MOST GROWN WINE GRAPES, IN THE WORLD. For you to overlook it, whether or not you like it, says volumes about your general wine knowledge (despite your acquaintance with the lesser-known varieties which you put on your list-- not because of their popularity or renown, but because you like them).

Apparently it is really, "YOUR taste," that you feel, "is the only taste that counts...is some kind of natural law," and, "your opinion," that, " is infallible." SEE BELOW:

A minor grape-- but YOU like it, so it deserves billing over Syrah, grown around the world, Australia's main red, and among a handful of the most famous French reds.

Another minor grape. So why is it on the list? Oh, right, because I feel that only MY taste counts, since I am infallible.
And if that makes sense to you, your name is probably Lindis.

 

Seriously mate, you're making too much of this and ruining a nice little thread.
How about you just list your favourite grape varieties and move on.

 

I had said my piece, so there was no reason for your comment. I found Lindis's words to me both insulting, and completely unfounded. In fact, it was an idiotic, and incredibly hypocritical, personal attack. You would realize that if you weren't a complete narcissist. Apparently you don't care about anyone's feelings but your own...

Did you mind those last couple of comments? Well I did not really mean them, but I wanted to give you a small taste of the crap that Lindis was saying about me. So why no post to him, about how HE was "ruining a nice little thread?" And if his comments to me were okey-dokey, then why do you interpret my comments differently? Do you not realize that mostly all I did was REPEAT Lindis's self-serving comments, that had been misdirected towards me? I really don't understand your thinking, here. I can only assume that you ignored or overlooked Lindis's unfair & conceited insults, to me. Sorry if my reply spoils your mood, but I am going to call out bull***t attacks on me. And if you don't think what he said to me was so bad, why is my reply to him, worse?

 

Now that you mention this wine, let me say that it is a fine little comfortable wine for comfortable people during friendly and comfortable talks around a nice and comfortable table.

Part of the comfortable everyday wine culture in Swabia.
To make one feel comfortable - or gemütlich, to use the German word for it.

Cheers! Prost! And: zum Wohl! - as we say here.

 

From what I observed only one of you seemed to want to continue provoking the other.
Now I've said my piece so lets get back to talking about wine instead of each other shall we?
More wine less whine.

 

So less of this:

Yeah, I hope so.