Vintage Champagne

Wow, Texas has more wineries than Oregon or New York?

https://vinepair.com/articles/map-states-wineries-2023/

Long time lurker here. Anyone have any recs in Temecula, CA?

Going to be out there in a few weeks and saw they've got quite a few wineries. Figured it'd be fun to do a few tasting, but trying to narrow it down some.

We used to buy only French wines!

Now we buy and enjoy Llano Sweet Red bottled in Lubbock!

$7 at Sams and tasty! Try it!

BigJim49 AustinNowDallas said:

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We used to buy only French wines!

Now we buy and enjoy Llano Sweet Red bottled in Lubbock!

$7 at Sams and tasty! Try it!

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Trying it once was enough.

Has anyone spent Thanksgiving in Napa? I finally convinced my parents to let me pay for a trip for us to go somewhere, and that's where we landed. Well, the idea was SFO, but I only want to spend a day there. I plan to take them to RRBC and have a dinner at Bouchon. We'll get there Tuesday and leave Friday morning for our day in SFO before flying back Saturday morning.

Why yes. Yes I have. I'd eat Thanksgiving at Ad Hoc, though. Bouchon the night before. And Friday is a festival of sorts in Yountville.

It'll be a great time of year. Probably won't be too rainy or near as rainy as it was earlier this year. Weather will be cooled off a bit. Key will be to layer up.

Depending on the wines you and your family like, look into Sonoma wineries as well. Just got back from a tasting and it reminded me just how much more generally laid back Sonoma is. But with great wine to go with it.

End of November is definitely the beginning of the "non busy" season. it won't be ugly out weather wise yet (most likely) and you may get better lodging prices because of the season.

They don't drink wine. My niece stayed with us a few days, and one night at dinner she mentioned she wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge. I don't like SFO that much, so Bouchon won out. We'll probably kill some time driving over to Healdsburg and may go all the way to the coast.

jh0400 said:

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Has anyone spent Thanksgiving in Napa? I finally convinced my parents to let me pay for a trip for us to go somewhere, and that's where we landed. Well, the idea was SFO, but I only want to spend a day there. I plan to take them to RRBC and have a dinner at Bouchon. We'll get there Tuesday and leave Friday morning for our day in SFO before flying back Saturday morning.

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I was just in Napa - - went to both RRBC and Bouchon and highly recommend both.

jh0400 said:

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Has anyone spent Thanksgiving in Napa? I finally convinced my parents to let me pay for a trip for us to go somewhere, and that's where we landed. Well, the idea was SFO, but I only want to spend a day there. I plan to take them to RRBC and have a dinner at Bouchon. We'll get there Tuesday and leave Friday morning for our day in SFO before flying back Saturday morning.

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Can I be your parent? I definitely will drink wine with you on our fancy Thanksgiving trip!

hammered some young ones! So how were they?

Really enjoyed the opus one. Really light imo. The spotswoode could use a little more time imo

Ags #1 said:

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Really enjoyed the opus one. Really light imo. The spotswoode could use a little more time imo

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I think '18 might be more approachable vintage in general, from what little I know

Is the cave tour a must with Schramsberg as in it's really unique or would a tasting be fine if we've seen some wine caves?

In my opinion, it's a must. Way different experience than other wine caves due to the production process. The awesome wine is just the icing on the cake at the end!! Great chance to taste some pricey bubbles.

Chipotlemonger said:

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In my opinion, it's a must. Way different experience than other wine caves due to the production process. The awesome wine is just the icing on the cake at the end!! Great chance to taste some pricey bubbles.

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I'll take the other view. It's a fine cave tour, but not unique at all, and if you already are familiar with champagne production doesn't add anything.

Yep. And like I said, the excellent wine at the end is the icing on top. You get to sample some great stuff.

Thanks guys, was able to make room in the schedule for the extra time and booked the cave tour. Y'alls fault if it sucks.

Chipotlemonger said:

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In my opinion, it's a must. Way different experience than other wine caves due to the production process. The awesome wine is just the icing on the cake at the end!! Great chance to taste some pricey bubbles.

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is it really that awesome or pricey? I know those can be relative, but just curious how big a fan you really are!

going to Walla Walla next month, so anything anyone saw/did on a visit let me know. The challenge is my wife doesn't love red wines... I mean she does, but going to a tasting and getting 4 cabs and 2 syrahs is not going to be her jam.

so with that caveat, open to suggestions. I'm pretty familiar with the "big" names so more interested in lesser known shops.

Well, I just don't normally drop 3 figures on wine, and especially not sparkling. So the chance to taste a true American producer of high quality and taste multiple offerings of theirs is a treat. The vintage library tastes are excellent. Guess you could say I'm a big fan. I've tasted there twice over the years and wouldn't hesitate to go a 3rd time.

bularry said:

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going to Walla Walla next month, so anything anyone saw/did on a visit let me know. The challenge is my wife doesn't love red wines... I mean she does, but going to a tasting and getting 4 cabs and 2 syrahs is not going to be her jam.

so with that caveat, open to suggestions. I'm pretty familiar with the "big" names so more interested in lesser known shops.

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It isn't wine…but a trip up to Palouse Falls State Park is fun if you have a few hours. I'll have to go ask the wife which she liked. She's done Walla Walla more than me and gone back a few times. We left SE Washington in 2015 and I can't recall the particulars.

We were members for several years and enjoyed it.

I currently work in the Walla Walla area. Any of the tasting rooms downtown are fantastic and worth just walking in to.

I haven't been out to many of the wineries except Rotie and Zerba. I'm a red drinker, so I didn't like Rotie but you and your wife may enjoy their whites.

Pirate04 said:

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I currently work in the Walla Walla area. Any of the tasting rooms downtown are fantastic and worth just walking in to.

I haven't been out to many of the wineries except Rotie and Zerba. I'm a red drinker, so I didn't like Rotie but you and your wife may enjoy their whites.

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thanks!

Pirate04 said:

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I currently work in the Walla Walla area. Any of the tasting rooms downtown are fantastic and worth just walking in to.

I haven't been out to many of the wineries except Rotie and Zerba. I'm a red drinker, so I didn't like Rotie but you and your wife may enjoy their whites.

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Did you try the Rotie Syrah? It's one of my favorites.

East Dallas Ag said:

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Is the cave tour a must with Schramsberg as in it's really unique or would a tasting be fine if we've seen some wine caves?

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It's honestly amazing!

Anyone in Houston need a wine cabinet? Its free if you'll come pick it up. I'm moving and don't want to take it with me.