Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving

CellarTracker Main Site

Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Cellar Talk] >> General Discussion >> Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 3:18:57 AM

pjaines

Posts: 906
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: online

This time of year I start thinking about the serious wines I'll be drinking over the Christmas period and start buying them in or raiding the cellar- and I guess the Americans on the forum will be planning out the Thanksgiving wines.

We are spending Christmas this year in France at the in-laws with access to their monumental collection of old Bordeaux. However, I always take with me a collection of new world wines to make it interesting for them. I have just bought a bunch of SA wines (Neil Ellis, Alto Estate, De Toren, Thelema, Haute Cabriere) which are excellent for hearty Christmas drinking - and think I'm going to take over some Tokaji as well as some US Pinot Noir.

What are you folks planning to drink for Thanksgiving/Christmas? Any rash purchase decisions to be made?

_____________________________

-- Paul

Post #: 1

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 4:36:55 AM

RobRoy47

Posts: 8
Joined: 11/14/2007
Status: offline

My family has a "traditional" Christmas dinner, that is roast beef, Yorkshire pudding etc. For the past 8 years, we have added an aged Norton to the menu. This is a native American wine, but quite different from the rest - no wet dog. It pairs very well.

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 2

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 8:09:53 AM

duck833

Posts: 65
Joined: 5/13/2008
From: Eugene, Oregon
Status: offline

Just picked up 5 cases of 2006 Oregon Pinot Noir, need to get to Dundee and pickup a case of Shea Chard and three more cases of PN that I have purchased and have not picked up. I have way more wine now than I have room in the cellar so will just have to increase consumption this winter.

_____________________________

Go Ducks!!!

(in reply to RobRoy47)

Post #: 3

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 9:42:39 AM

Hollowine

Posts: 329
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline

We usually open something I've been aging for a while with Christmas Dinner. My wife was trained as a chef, so usually she prepares a pretty extensive spread, usually a beef or lamb dish on Xmas. Last year was a 1994 OpusOne, haven't decided this year but am leaning toward a 1998 Ch. Margeaux or maybe the 1988 Pichon Lalande that is pretty much ready to go.

With Thanksgiving, that is a hard one since the pairings can be tricky. I may try a Rose this year, I have a few I wanted to drink this summer and didn't get to them.

Pretty much scaling back my buying to only those mailing lists we want to keep our allocations on, as well as bargain hunting if I stumble on something.

_____________________________

Have Riedel, will travel...

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 4

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 9:49:02 AM

GalvezGuy

Posts: 319
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline

Thanksgiving is a time where I supply the wine to share with friends. This year, it is Seghesio Zinfandel 2007 and a nice little Bordeaus rose called Festival. Both should handle the rich foods pretty well.

Christmas with my family has two nights. The first night is seafood, I usually bring a crisp Sauv Blanc or dry Riesling. The second night is rib roast which usually gets accompanied by a good cab. This year it will probably be the 2003 Don Melchor and the 1999 Beringer.

Cheers y'all

_____________________________

If you're gonna be dumb you better be tough

(in reply to Hollowine)

Post #: 5

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 9:54:54 AM

annerk

Posts: 247
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: offline

We usually go out for Thanksgiving, so we'll open a bottle of some type of Champagne later in the day after we return from dinner. I'm not sure what yet, we'll take a look at what's on hand that day and make a decision.

For Christmas I usually make a rib roast. There are only three of us, so I keep it pretty simple, as I'm the chief cook and clean-up crew. I hadn't really thought about it, but we'll most likely open either a Jarvis Lake William or Cabernet Sauvignon, a Del Dotto Colbert Cabernet Sauvignon, or maybe a bottle of Opus One. I won't be going out to buy something specifically for Christmas, and will instead choose something on hand.

New Years is generally a quiet event for us, and we'll drink a bottle of Champagne and be sleeping by a few minutes after midnight--I have a bottle of 1995 Dom Perignon that might get popped this New Years Eve.

(in reply to Hollowine)

Post #: 6

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 11:21:19 AM

amm3rd

Posts: 18
Joined: 6/17/2008
Status: offline

I have just splurged on a few 1999 and 2001 Daniel Rion Clos Vougeot $75 each. I'm thinking this may have the right mix of fruit, minerality and earth for the big holidays. Should be good with Turkey & Beef...AMM

_____________________________

AMM

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 7

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 12:10:07 PM

wadcorp

Posts: 115
Joined: 10/29/2008
From: Kansas City, MO
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GalvezGuy
This year, it is Seghesio Zinfandel 2007…

Hmm… one of my fave's.

.

(in reply to GalvezGuy)

Post #: 8

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 12:25:49 PM

grafstrb

Posts: 504
Joined: 11/6/2007
From: Los Angeles, via Minnesota
Status: offline

i won't be making any special purchases ... but i will use these occassions to pop open a couple of my "nicer" bottles ... I'm really diggin' Galvez' Melchor idea ... i might pop an '05 to see what all the fuss is about (if it's better than the only DM i've ever had ('04) I'll be head-over-heels

) ... that'll likely be a X-Mas wine

Already have plans for a CdP offline when I go back to MN for X-Mas, so a couple goodies will be pulled for that

Turkey day? ... one of the few times a year I like a rich, buttery Chard. ... Pinot Noir is solid too, or maybe a Gruner ... options abound!

(in reply to wadcorp)

Post #: 9

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 1:39:47 PM

GalvezGuy

Posts: 319
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline

I did Gruner for Thanksgiving last yeat. It was a huge hit. That crisp acidity really cut through everything.

_____________________________

If you're gonna be dumb you better be tough

(in reply to grafstrb)

Post #: 10

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 4:45:54 PM

Wrighty

Posts: 760
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: offline

Hadn't thought about it yet. Christmas normal starts after my birthday in mid Nov.

Last year we had 2 older Beaucastels which I tracked down beforehand so I might see what I can find in the UK to pick up when I'm over otherwise it will be into the fridge. I've got my eye on an E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 1996 and a Torres Grans Murrales 1997 to pop sometime before now and Christmas so they might hang on.

Haven't thought about food or guests yet either!

Wrighty

(in reply to GalvezGuy)

Post #: 11

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 4:56:04 PM

jhannah27

Posts: 523
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

Does anyone here make mulled wine for the holidays? Here is a link in case you are unfamiliar with it.

I have made it once before, and while I wasn't really blown away by the taste of it, there was something comforting about it, that just made the experience nice.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to Wrighty)

Post #: 12

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/4/2008 8:27:44 PM

NiklasW

Posts: 508
Joined: 10/13/2007
From: Finland
Status: online

yeah, I make it every year for Christmas. We call it glögg. My recipe is a bottle of red wine (cheap) into a pot, to which you add a stick of cinnamon, cloves (up to 20), cardemon (whole, again up to 20), fresh ginger and a suitable amount of sugar (this is critical, most people put in too much making for a sickly sweet cough syrup). Warm it all up to near boiling, but don't let it boil, for about 15 minutes. When it's ready, throw in a dash of vodka. The glögg is best when consumed fresh and warm (especially on a cold winter's day), but can be rebottled and warmed up later for consumption. In the right setting, it's just great!

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 13

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/5/2008 2:06:43 AM

Paul S

Posts: 504
Joined: 1/15/2008
From: Singapore
Status: offline

I normally provide Christmas wines for the family. I suspect my dad would want to do it this year though, he's got a bottle of Penfolds 707 sitting somewhere. I am quite ready for it to fizzle out and be quite disappointing, so I'll prepare one or two to go along with it. Maybe an old Lake's Folly or Moss Wood to go with the Aussie theme.

(in reply to NiklasW)

Post #: 14

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/7/2008 8:09:31 AM

Pavie Princess

Posts: 263
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: The Big Easy, New Orleans
Status: offline

We have decided to do a 2005 Bdx tasting with our Thanksgiving dinner. We plan on open 10 for the day and posting the notes that night. I know Pavie Pavie Macquin etc.........

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 15

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/7/2008 2:44:11 PM

pjaines

Posts: 906
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: online

PP - I dont mean to be rude, but with all that great wine in your cellar shouldn't you be hitting the older wines?

However, if you need help let me know. I dont discriminate against vintages

< Message edited by pjaines -- 11/7/2008 2:45:12 PM >

_____________________________

-- Paul

(in reply to Pavie Princess)

Post #: 16

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/7/2008 7:38:08 PM

Pavie Princess

Posts: 263
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: The Big Easy, New Orleans
Status: offline

at big gatherings you dont open the good stuff.............i have alot of family and their apreciation fo rwine is rather limited. Most have heard the buzz around the 05 Vintage so I want to let them try what they have read about..............I dont see my mother understanding a 1961 Latour.

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 17

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/8/2008 12:38:38 AM

Colonel Lawrence

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline

Vincents Dad would!
http://www.cellartracker.com/forum/m_30527/mpage_2/key_/tm.htm#32090

Confess I'm with Paul on this, couldn't bear to open my '05's until at least 2010 at the absolute earliest.
Nice to hear your reports though - especially when they're good and I have the stuff ;)
L.

(in reply to Pavie Princess)

Post #: 18

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/8/2008 1:00:30 AM

pjaines

Posts: 906
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pavie Princess

at big gatherings you dont open the good stuff.............i have alot of family and their apreciation fo rwine is rather limited. Most have heard the buzz around the 05 Vintage so I want to let them try what they have read about..............I dont see my mother understanding a 1961 Latour.

a good point well made. One of the trickier moments in life is making sure you have good wine to drink while not wasting good stuff on a gathering of friends who wont appreciate the really good stuff.

_____________________________

-- Paul

(in reply to Pavie Princess)

Post #: 19

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/8/2008 2:55:56 AM

Serge Birbrair

Posts: 1532
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: online

my favorit time of the year - the temperatures drop and the wine bought during the year is ariving.

Got 6 cases yesterday, 1/2 of them came from Finger Lakes, NY
along with Baroli Maestro helped to pick.

Unfortunately, this is also the time of the year when you realise that despite your best efforts of drinking a bottle a day, you storing capacities are at the max and buying another cage at wine storage is a necessity.
;(

_____________________________

Do you really think you understand terroir!? -

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 20

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/8/2008 2:13:21 PM

wadcorp

Posts: 115
Joined: 10/29/2008
From: Kansas City, MO
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27
Does anyone here make mulled wine for the holidays?

Yes, we do it here. I'm in Kansas City, so we'll usually get a Missouri wine (stop laughing!).

Love the smell as it's steaming. I'll go for one serving and then break out a REAL wine, but guests seem to like the option.

.

_____________________________

"Wine is light held together by moisture."
— Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 21

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 11/8/2008 2:57:05 PM

gbm

Posts: 227
Joined: 3/12/2008
From: Connecticut
Status: offline

Do you have a good recipe? I've tried a few, but can't seem to find anything that's really appealing. I have been leaning towards hot (rum-spiked) apple cider over the past few years, but it's time for a change.

(in reply to wadcorp)

Post #: 22

RE: Already stocking up for Christmas/Thanksgiving - 12/7/2008 12:47:59 AM

NiklasW

Posts: 508
Joined: 10/13/2007
From: Finland
Status: online

Just made my first glögg (mulled wine) for the season from this wine: http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=499908 . Tastes good (the glögg, not really the wine itself)! Will be taking the bottle over to a friend's place this evening.

(in reply to gbm)

Post #: 23