Advice on Wine?

[Evil Queen]

The SO has bought his parents a wine decanter set for X-mas and I wanted to get them something that would go with it nicely.

I've settled in Wine and Chocolate Truffles. I have a great recipe that I believe they would like and The SO's under aged sister can have some of the candy too. I figured I would use Alton Brown's Chocolate Truffles (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chocolate-truffles-recipe/index.html) recipe since I've made it before and they were tasty.

I read around and it seems red wine goes nicely with chocolate and since his Mom likes red wine, it's a win-win situation. But, alas, I don't know what is a good red wine (I don't drink wine) and The SOs Mom likes anything.

What would you guys suggest as a good red wine that would compliment the truffles? There are a lot of liquor stores I can get them at so let a rip, please!

[Jester]

Cabernet and chocolate are a natural match.

I don't know what is available in your area, so I will give only a couple suggestions, but of course, you should consult your local wine monger for better suggestions.

1. Trinchero. Love the stuff. Nice and rich.
2. Robert Mondavi. I love everything they make.
3. Rutherford Hill.
4. J. Lohr.

All of these are California reds. I am not all that familiar with French or Italian reds, I am afraid.

My favorite red wine is Marques de Caceres from Spain, but I am not sure how that would work with chocolate.

[Evil Queen]

I have a massive (as in multiple floors) Spec's Wine and Spirits store in downtown Houston that I can always stop at. I'm familiar with the Rutherford Hill brand the most out of the list.

Any others you might suggest? I'm also thinking of getting soemthing for The brat (his sister, she's 13) but she hates me since she learned her size 0 pants are too big for me (I wear 16 in childrens, 0 has a too big waste), so the chance of me getting her something is slim.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I'm not a fan of wine but my dad likes Yellow Tail and Trinity Oaks.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I'm not a fan of wine but my dad likes Yellow Tail and Trinity Oaks.

I'm not familiar with Trinity Oaks, but Yellow Tail is a favorite brand of mine. All their varietals are very good, IMHO. This is a brand I typically recommend if someone wants to try any of the SE Australian varietals.;)

If you prefer a more domestic Cabernet, my top picks would be Redwood Creek or Barefoot Cellars.

I've also heard that Pinot Grigio is also a good dessert wine, as it's slightly sweeter than most whites and I would definitely recommend the Yellow Tail brand for someone who wants a white wine with dessert. While I wouldn't recommend it with chocolate, it makes a good pairing with more fruity desserts (strawberry shortcake, anyone?)

But Cabernet and chocolate . . . oh Heaven. :love:

[Jester]

If you prefer a more domestic Cabernet, my top picks would be Redwood Creek or Barefoot Cellars.

I am going to have to politely disagree with you here. Barefoot is a house wine, albeit a good one, but not exactly top notch. (Not familiar with Redwood Creek so not commenting on it.)

But Cabernet and chocolate . . . oh Heaven.

Oh, you'd LOVE this. A new dessert-only restaurant/bar down here features a "chocolate cabernet"--basically a lovely cabernet served in a chocolate rimmed wine glass. By all accounts it, not the hokey pokey, is what it's really all about.

[AdminAssistant]

I know approximately fuck all about wine. I don't like most whites, and although I find reds very tasty they make me sleepy. There's a Missouri winery that I really like, Stone Hill. They have a Concord that I really like that's really really sweet. I could see it going well with a dessert. But, as I said, I don't really drink much wine.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

Since we're discussing wines, anyone have a suggestion that goes well with Parmesan Chicken?

[Jester]

Parmesan chicken suggests Italian. If it is a strongly flavored chicken, I would go with a nice Chianti.

Please, no fava bean jokes.

[Cat]

I love wine (sometimes a little too much....)


I prefer reds, and I've found anything from Chile and most wines from S. Africa to be great.


Just remember what John Clease said in "Wine for the Confused," just because its an expensive wine, doesn't make it good to you :)

[Jester]

Just remember what John Clease said in "Wine for the Confused," just because its an expensive wine, doesn't make it good to you.

Or even that good, period.

My favorite wine, which I referenced above, goes for about $12-14 retail; the Gran Reserva version goes for only $25, and is simply exquisite. Also, the Trinchero I mentioned is pretty reasonable (I think $18?) and is just lovely.

On the flip side, I have had some very expensive wines that, frankly, weren't that good.

Hell, that goes for beer, too!

[tacohuman]

I prefer reds, and I've found anything from Chile and most wines from S. Africa to be great.
:)

i have to agree here, especially on the chilean wines. i've yet to find anything from chile that i haven't liked. overall they are an excellent balance of both quality and price.