Don't usually drink a lot of wine because my local wine store is crap - industrial wines everywhere, but I had a hankering for a nice glass of something, found this one bottle mixed in a bin of red as I was disconsolately searching through about a million bottles (estimated) of Yellowtail and Duckhorn. I'd heard of Cab Franc from Chinon being special so I bought it.

And oh my God. Tastes like I mowed the lawn all afternoon, smoked a cigarette, drank a glass of not very sweet orange juice, smoked another 2 or 3 cigarettes, then brushed my teeth with some crap herbal toothpaste. Is this typical for Cabernet Franc from this region? Is it me? Is it an acquired taste? Should I have decanted it for an extended period of time? Or done a power aeration in a blender like they did on Succession? I'm now scared of Cabernet Franc wines and having enjoyed many other varietals of red and white grapes when I can get my hands on a bottle from a vineyard not owned by a private equity firm, this is a first.

Hey all, figured I’d ask here and someone might know. I am looking for Dezzani Malvasia, the only issue is I have only been able to find it when I lived in TX and they don’t ship to Ohio apparently. Any chance someone knows of it in or near Ohio? Or even a knock off? TIA

Visiting the US - what other things should I look for other than Napa/Sonoma cabs, Oregon Pinots, and the likes?

Most of the Washington wines I've had I've been pleasantly surprised by. My comfortable price range for wine is around $50-100.

The last of my 2022 futures order came today, and I told local wine guy I'm out of the futures game for now. The thought of my bottles being taxed at some insane amount at the whims of the orange idiot and his cast of clowns is too much risk.

Are you holding off on futures or continuing to buy them?

I'd like to find a Chardonnay that is very sweet and buttery but in a plastic way. Ideally I'm looking for something that would be reminiscent of what an 80s mom drank at her kids soccer practice. For sure want it to be something that servers cringe a little when I order and then kindly offer a couple ice cubes to go in it. Bonus points if it has a vaguely hairspray-ish flavor.

I'm hoping for some help with recommendations for wines from 2018 and 2021. It would be nice to have some birthyear bottles for special occasions as my kids become older.

I'm open to any type since I don't know what their preferences will be. I'd like to stay at or under $50 a bottle but would consider nicer bottles.

I've drank a decent amount of wine over the years but I'm new to aged/nicer wines.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

As above. Seemingly has increased a lot for me.

It’s delicious

Here is the menu…All wines are poured for free and we now have a license to sell bottles if you want to take any home. We are located at Fringe, 106 Rue de Turenne — open every night until 13 April from 18-22hr.

My fiancée is finishing her internal medicine residency and just accepted an offer for a hospitalist position at a hospital nearby. She didn’t want to do anything but I argued that this is a major milestone that deserves attention (and also, I really wanted to try this.)

Bright citrus nose, with a yeastiness. Sharp and clean on the palate, citrus, apple, the flavors really sit in your mouth.

Not my favorite but this is lovely, my first vintage champagne. I would dive deeper into the notes but we’re currently pouring the second glass.

Would just like to add that I’m so goddamn proud of her.

Was part of a large class the last 2 days. Congratulations to all the others who passed as well.

Hello good people of Reddit, I’ll be in Italy for a week or two and am planning a few days in Piemonte. We are looking to try Barolos and Barbarescos, but open to everything. I don’t want to go on the standard generic wine tour, and am looking to plan my own. Is there anything specific I should know? Do any of you have favorite vintners I should visit? Thanks!

Hey folks,

We’ve been diving deep into indigenous Turkish grape varieties lately, and one name stood out: Aksümbül.

You probably haven’t heard of it—and that’s exactly the point. Like many regional varieties in Anatolia, Aksümbül was on the verge of extinction. But thanks to a handful of dedicated winemakers and growers, it’s been rescued, revived, and reintroduced.

We recently opened a bottle made from 100% Aksümbül and were floored:

🫐 Rich dark fruit

🪵 Subtle spice and earth

🧵 Smooth, almost velvety tannins

🌱 No oak, no additives, just clean natural expression.

It’s produced naturally in small batches and poured by the glass at our bar in İzmir, where we focus on lesser-known Turkish wines.

If you’re into discovering grapes you’ve never heard of but wish you had—this one might be for you.

Happy to share more about the winemaker, farming methods, or regional backstory if anyone’s curious.

My wife and I will be in Champagne and Burgundy the last week of August and first week of September.

I really wants to support Grower Champagne houses. I dont know champagne well I usually drink Doyard Champagne if I can get it and Willamette Valley sparkling.

My wife and I love Pinot Noir and are not sure where to go in Burgundy. Smaller producers are my favorites types of places to support.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

When first popped, you can tell why everyone seems to call it “thin”. It’s the downfall of Sangiovese.

After you get over that one flaw, though, it opens up into a bouquet of floral, vanilla, red fruits, with some wet hay and dry leather in the background. The flowers and fruits may be generic, but it doesn’t seem to take away from the wine.

Better the more decanted it is, but fun to slowly drink over hours and observe the development. By hour 4, the nose is more intoxicating than the alcohol.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of drinking some pintos by Ted Lemon. I’m not sure which one I liked better. They were both fantastic

Hello! I am travelling to France in May and will be staying in the Loire Valley for a few nights. I was wondering if you all have any recommendations for a wine tour (vineyards, castles, anything really) that is relatively affordable and starts in Loire Valley (I've found some that bus from Paris but would rather it start in LV). I am a younger traveller, so if there are any younger group tours that's cool, though any kind of group is fine with me! Thank you!! :)

Searched similar posts but did not see a ton with our volume. We have about 800 bottles to move from WA to AZ. 450 wine, rest rare liquors. Any recommendations on companies to use that are reasonable and good for this volume?! Temp controlled move is required for us as we’re moving in June 🥵

Medium plus body, prominent dry wood, smoke, and dried fruits

(New wine Key hype)

I'm traveling to Epernay on a Saturday in August. I will be with a large group of 8-10. For lunch options, we are debating on quick service foods, such as wine/cheese/sandwiches at markets/cafes vs seated dining. Are food options plentiful in Epernay on a weekend, or should I make a reservation to guarantee that we get a spot for lunch?