In for the October 21 Realm event in Houston.

cecil77 said:

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In for the October 21 Realm event in Houston.

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I look forward to seeing you!

FIFY

I look forward to meeting you!

In for Oct. 23rd in Dallas.

Looking to pull the trigger on the Realm houston event. Have you guys been and can give me an idea on what to expect?

I plan on going to Realm Houston

I'll be at the houston event as well.

cecil77 said:

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FIFY

I look forward to meeting you!

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Nah, I've known you since 9/29/11 (page one).

But I don't believe we've ever met in person, right? That's what I meant...

cecil77 said:

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But I don't believe we've ever met in person, right? That's what I meant...

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Thus the winky face!

Any suggestions for the Portland area? Headed there for a few days in September.

Last night's wines:

It's cool to see clones denoted on the label!

cecil77 said:

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It's cool to see clones denoted on the label!

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What's a clone and what do those designations mean?

MooreTrucker said:

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cecil77 said:

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It's cool to see clones denoted on the label!

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What's a clone and what do those designations mean?

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Clones are variations of a varietal. In this example, they are two different clones (variations) of Syrah. The designation simply mean the percent makeup of each clone in this bottle.

Most people plant clones for different attributes such as a heartier growing vine, earlier ripening, resistant to mildew, etc., but they can also have some different flavor profiles.

Clonal characteristics are becoming as important as varietal characteristics.

Most of the well known international grape varieties (basically anything you've ever heard of) have numerous clones. As Htown mentioned, farming differences are one thing. More and more though it's phenolic development (flavor differences) that are the most important. The French have made an industry out of it: ENTAV-INRA.

At the Houston Taste of Howell Mountain, several producers stressed which clones of Cab Sauv they grow. No longer can you just say "it's Cabernet Sauvignon", it is becoming little more descriptive than "robust red wine".

Grape vines will clone every twenty years or so. There are undoubtedly hundreds (or thousands) of clones for a given grape variety around the world. And since you can't reverse determine a clone, must will be forever unknown. Indeed it is my opinion that much of the "I can taste the terroir" is in actuality tasting differences in clones.

Scroll through this list of Cabernet Sauvignon clones compiled by UC-Davis: Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon It's pretty fascinating...

Here's a winery which shows the clones it uses and their characteristics: BELL CABERNET SAUVIGNON CLONES

It's fun to hear stories about where certain more known clones actually came from. Like the Pisoni Pinot Noir clone and a story about a long-haired California farmer/aspiring winemaker and his midnight trip to a certain famous Domaine in Burgundy and some vine cuttings that may have spent some time in his underwear on a transatlantic flight.

nm

How would y'all recommend start buying wines to "collect" and cellar? I don't mean collect in the sense to resale, but collect good wine to drink at a later date. I usually just buy bottles at a time so should I just buy a case of stuff I like? Join a wine club of my favorite vineyards?

All of the above. And just have fun with with it. Of course you have to drink a lot of wine to figure out what you want to save.

You can be organized, like specializing in a grape or a region. Or just scattershoot. Keep an eye out for sales (most of mine is Total Wine or HEB) and then buy a few extra bottles to put back. Wine clubs are fine, but can be a little limiting in a way.

Anyone have suggestions on full-size free standing wine fridge/cellar? We are doing a complete remodel of the main floor of our house and have space for a 24" W-class wine fridge in our catering area/butler's pantry.

Our designer put a SubZero fridge in there, but I can go much cheaper and not have a problem with it. This will not be in the main traffic area so won't be a visual feature or a conversation piece. My wife has shown interest in the one below. Primary reasons include the horizontal storage with label view and the sliding racks with individual bottle holders.

Thoughts on this one, or other similar units?


https://www.costco.com/Wine-Enthusiast-155-Bottle-Wine-Cellar-with-VinoView-Shelving.product.100483044.html

We have an N'Finity that I bought through wine enthusiast about 5 years ago. No complaints to this point, but if I were to replace it, I'd probably just get a EuroCave.

Either way, the one you pictures is awesome looking, but I'd imagine you lose storage space with that layout/presentation of bottles.

Bought a couple of these -- have them side by side. Very nice units with a lot of storage

https://www.costco.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Giant-300-Bottle-Wine-Cellar-with-VinoView-Shelving.product.100378590.html

My only advice is that if you get one with square "slots" make sure that they fit modern Bordeaux style bottles. I have a great chiller/cellar, but the traditional size shreds the labels on lots of bottles.

Thanks - we are looking at EuroCave as well, but my wife isn't a fan of just looking at the butts (or tops) of bottles in general.

This allows me to get a fridge/cellar, doesn't break the bank, and she's happy with it.

Cecil makes a good point below about different size bottles. I need to look at that some more before I order.

I liked that one too and it was my first choice. It's about 2-3 inches too wide for the space we have planned, unfortunately.

cecil77 said:

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My only advice is that if you get one with square "slots" make sure that they fit modern Bordeaux style bottles. I have a great chiller/cellar, but the traditional size shreds the labels on lots of bottles.

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Mine does that a little as well. I just turn the bottles sideways so it's glass on wood.

I may try turning the bottles. As it is, it's like working a puzzle to get the bottles all to fit. Four on some shelves, five on others. And three on the bottom and only two on the top where the temp display is.

HTownAg98 said:

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cecil77 said:

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My only advice is that if you get one with square "slots" make sure that they fit modern Bordeaux style bottles. I have a great chiller/cellar, but the traditional size shreds the labels on lots of bottles.

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Mine does that a little as well. I just turn the bottles sideways so it's glass on wood

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Yeah, me as well. Although on mine its the metal strapping that forms the shelves I have to avoid. The corders of each slot are wood, so I need glass on metal. Even then many "weaponized" bottle that are so popular now are going to get scuffed. Not a huge problem and I'll likely never sell anything.

Anyone fool around blending wines you drink? I've just started. Found that some of the (for me) too fruity/oaky Napa cabs can be improved by adding a different wine.

HEB has the 2013 Kuntz Family Stagecoach Vineyard Cab for $40 (after discount). It's a really nicely structured wine with nice spice and the fruit and oak are muted. I've mixed it (about 50/50) w/ some of those fruit bombs and to me, both are improved!

Any suggestions?

Just another way to have fun with wine...

cecil77 said:

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Anyone fool around blending wines you drink? I've just started. Found that some of the (for me) too fruity/oaky Napa cabs can be improved by adding a different wine.

HEB has the 2013 Kuntz Family Stagecoach Vineyard Cab for $40 (after discount). It's a really nicely structured wine with nice spice and the fruit and oak are muted. I've mixed it (about 50/50) w/ some of those fruit bombs and to me, both are improved!

Any suggestions?

Just another way to have fun with wine...

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I was just joking to my wife with this. She was mad at me for not having a rose in the cellar for national rose day. I told her to blend a red and white. I then asked, more seriously, why shouldn't we try blending wines?

Sounds like a solid deflection

cecil77 said:

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Anyone fool around blending wines you drink? I've just started. Found that some of the (for me) too fruity/oaky Napa cabs can be improved by adding a different wine.

HEB has the 2013 Kuntz Family Stagecoach Vineyard Cab for $40 (after discount). It's a really nicely structured wine with nice spice and the fruit and oak are muted. I've mixed it (about 50/50) w/ some of those fruit bombs and to me, both are improved!

Any suggestions?

Just another way to have fun with wine...

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Yes. Suggest buying wine you like instead of blending wine you like with wine you don't like