Posted on 01/29/2005 9:48:17 PM PST by quidnunc
Hey, we've got some whisky out here in Oregon called "Rebel Yell" - I think it's made in Dixie, of course.
The damned stuff is only $12-$15 a bottle and it's GOOD STUFF!!! I mean, I have plenty of single malt scotch in my cupboard, and that damned cheap whisky is *good* whisky.
All I can figure is nobody's "Discovered" it yet... (or maybe it's just my Southern heritage)
(Those frogs better not "Discover" whisky and start driving the price up, or I'm going over there with my newly-acquired Cold Steel tomahawk and they're NOT gonna like it...)
Rebel Yell's okay. I can actually find that out Micronesia way when I look around enough...but I still prefer Ol' George Dickel's No. 8. And if I've not got an option to drink the best in Tennessee whisky, I'll drink Maker's Mark instead of Rebel Yell--if I'm drinking whisky, Rebel Yell is a bit too dry and strong, whereas Maker's Mark is sweet and smooth, relatively.
On the other hand, if I could get it out here, I'd get Dickel in a heartbeat. I've asked some folks to find it for me, but Dickel simply isn't an easy find in parts west, and parts east seem to carry No. 12 more than No. 8, unfortunately.
Never got into that fancypants Tennessee whiskey myself (Maker's Mark is about as high as I'll shoot), but you would be very surprised to find that in Korea and other parts east, a bottle of Jack or Jim goes for double-plus some what it goes for back Stateside. And those are about all you can find besides the extremely high end bourbon. I won't touch those stuffy high-end bourbons and whiskies for fear of ruining my palate for the good stuff (No. 8, that is).
Masseto, now you are talking! Probably the greatest single bottle of wine I have ever had. BTW, Chinons are 100% Cabernet Franc and are alaways a favorite of mine, Charles Jouget in particular!
There is often very little difference in quality and taste between the $200-400 first-tier label and the $20-30 second-tier label from the same chateaux. Which tells you approximately how much you are actually paying for the trendy label.
The Pichon-Lalande properties actually produce some really fine wine at very reasonable and competitive prices, and always have. The exchange rate is killing them though.
ping
Let me second that. Italian bubbly is ridiculously good for the price. It is quite different from French Champagne, and I find that I often prefer Italian to French anyway. And the price of a quality Italian bottle is almost an order of magnitude off quality French Champagne prices.
This is one of those things few people know about, but everyone should know.
Actually, I find that different sources are good for different regions. Plus, part of it is a matter of taste; it is obvious that raters prefer some characteristics differently from each other.
I've always found WS to be a very good guide for California wines, but not so good for other regions.
That being said one of my favorite reds is Bordeaux from St.Julien- Gloria. I have visited Bordeaux and visited Saint Julien. The wine maker was a wonderful,sweet man and I hate to think he is suffering from the jerks in his country. But I can think of many good American reds to buy.
Nothing can beat anything made from Mt. Veeder reds for me.
I studied French for many years, spent time there, and found the people to be very pleasant, and friendly to Americans like myself. Sadly, that was 25 years ago. I haven't been back in over 20 years. I still enjoy a French wine from time to time, usually as a remembrance of good times I spent there. St. Emilion is a small town that seems almost biblical, with its steep narrow cobble stone streets.
Anyway, these days I drink a lot of wines from here in NC. I am not sure how widely available they are, but if you get a chance to try wines from West Bend Winery (I recommend the Chambourcin), Raylen, and Rag Apple Lassie wineries, all here in Forsyth and surrounding counties.
Hmmm, UNC just beat NC State, maybe I'll crack open a bottle.....
Most of the wine discussed and drunk in the movie is California pinot noir, but the protagonist has one special bottle he has been saving for years, which is a Bordeaux.
Buy a U.S. sparkling wine as long as the label says "methode champegnoise."
Also ranks on my top-five list. We had a bottle with a splendid anniversary dinner at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence a few years ago. Even though it was from a lesser year, 1992 or 93 as I recall, it was still ethereally good.
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