How much do you limit yourself ?

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How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 10:42:46 AM

Nickbb

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Joined: 5/1/2008
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Hi
As iv'e got increasingly into wine it becomes apparant how huge the choice of countries / regions / grapes / blends ......etc etc is. When you look at your cellar do you find that you end up limiting yourself to a couple of the above because you want to have a good knowledge of at least those areas or you just like them. Or do you keep your drinking eclectic?
Nick

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RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 10:58:19 AM

NiklasW

Posts: 509
Joined: 10/13/2007
From: Finland
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I've managed to keep myself mainly to France and a bit of Italy. There are so many different regions in France that it seems like it would take a lifetime to explore all of them! For instance I just tried my first Vacqueyras which was really good and different to other reds I've tried. I would like to try out some Bandol, Rousillon, Loire, various Burgundy, Madiran, more Bordeaux, etc etc. To add to the complexity, I am not only interested geographically, but also temporally, how do the wines age? Other regions of the Earth do interest me, but there are just too many, so I make occassional forays into them without any systematic thought to it.

(in reply to Nickbb)

Post #: 2

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 10:59:40 AM

cgrimes

Posts: 906
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
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I definitely have my favorite regions (Burgundy, Bordeaux) but I try to have some wines from many regions worldwide, both for variety and for completeness. I like the idea of being able to go into my cellar and in a pinch get a wine appropriate for almost any occasion, even for guests who may have a different palate from us.

(in reply to Nickbb)

Post #: 3

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 11:20:33 AM

grafstrb

Posts: 507
Joined: 11/6/2007
From: Los Angeles, via Minnesota
Status: offline

ditto to what Craig said.

My favorite regions are Paso Robles and CdP, and my cellar clearly reflects this, but I try to have an eclectic selection otherwise. If only I had more cellar space the collection would be even more varied.

(in reply to cgrimes)

Post #: 4

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 11:47:24 AM

kelpcowboy

Posts: 95
Joined: 9/12/2008
From: Anacortes, WA
Status: offline

This hobby becomes passionate when you not only collect the wines that you know and love but when you start seeking out new expressions of what a grape can produce. I never cease to be amazed at the variety and complexity that a simple fruit like a grape can conjure up. It is it's own spice and herb without equal.

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Post #: 5

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 12:07:09 PM

duck833

Posts: 66
Joined: 5/13/2008
From: Eugene, Oregon
Status: online

Since I am lucky enough to live in the middle of Pinot Noir country it is easy to specialize in Oregon PN's. Fun getting to know the vineyard owners, the winemakers and visit their operations. Oregon has now over 380 different wineries, I have lots of work to stay on top of them and it requires lots of tasting.

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Post #: 6

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 12:51:48 PM

annerk

Posts: 255
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: online

I'm open to anything and have tried wines from most of the major wine producing regions in the world and a few of the not so major ones--including something referred to as "wine" but positively undrinkable from China, and a few from a Florida winery which I found unbalanced at best.

Right now I'm concentrating on Napa Valley wines as I am still wearing my Freshman beanie, and their names are easy to pronounce.

In the future I hope to be able to have an intelligient conversation with you all on a fine French Bordeaux or elegant German Auslese, but for right now I'll be watching from the sidelines.

(in reply to Nickbb)

Post #: 7

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 1:34:54 PM

pjaines

Posts: 925
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
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Because England has no wines of its own (well, none that you would want to drink) it is easy to pick up wines from all over the world. As a result I find it great to discover different areas of the world in equal abundance. London is great for getting hold of wines from all over the world. I have mostly French wine for laying down (we can be in France in 1 hour from London) but love learning about other areas - South Africa mainly because i lived in Cape Town for a while. I think duck833 is lucky to live in a wine region because you REALLY get to know what the good stuff is - that is how I felt in South Africa. If I had not lived there I would never have discovered half the wines i did.

Do I limit myself? Hell no. An open mind over anything. Lebanese wine is featuring high on the list this weekend.

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Post #: 8

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 1:52:05 PM

pbm

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
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Limits? Limits??? Did you say "Limits"??? Hell, I'm just trying to keep up.

My goal in life is now simply to get to half as many wines in my cellar as Pavie Princess, half the experiences of Serge, half of Colonel's investment returns, half of pjaines ability to drink, half the knowledge of Maestro, cgrimes, Wrighty, Rounders, and half a dozen others, and half the respect and success enjoyed by Eric.

I'm not even close to half way there.

I did decide to concentrate on reds in the US, France, Australia, and Italy though and hoped to gradually begin to narrow myself to specific varietals in each region. I don't see the latter goal happening, however, as there's just too much good stuff out there and I'm not particularly disciplined. Thank God.

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"Never Sell Principle Short"
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(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 9

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 2:03:16 PM

pjaines

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From: London
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PBM - You have not only made me laugh my ass off but you have hit the nail on the head.

I think I will use some of your post on my tombstone, particularly the quote "Limits? Limits??? Did you say "Limits"??? Hell, I'm just trying to keep up"

< Message edited by pjaines -- 10/17/2008 2:04:09 PM >

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Post #: 10

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 6:20:40 PM

vinopkm

Posts: 106
Joined: 6/14/2008
From: Orange County, CA
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I limit myself to Sonoma, Paso, Spanish (especially blends) and Italian with the occasional Napa (Cab) and French (almost strictly red Rhones). I buy what I know, I need to expore more. CT is starting to open up my desire to try other regions... ie Aussie wines.

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 11

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 8:26:12 PM

khmark7

Posts: 65
Joined: 7/6/2008
From: Illinois
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Half the fun is finding new regions and different expressions of the same grape. Today it's Pinot from Oregon, but tomorrow it could be Cabernet from Lebanon. My collection spans 15 countries.

(in reply to vinopkm)

Post #: 12

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/17/2008 8:38:46 PM

Hollowine

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline

For me it's been interesting to watch my cellar change with my palate, pocketbook, and new experiences.

I have seen my palate evolve from oaky Napa Cabs, to Fruity Ausie Shiraz, now it seems to be enjoying nearly anything GSM or CdP, and German Rieslings. It happens that as I find something I like, I begin to buy verticals of the main ones for the longer term enjoyment, but my day to day drinking might be trending to an area I am trying to learn more about, hence my cellar grows in that area.

I try to imagine the study and effort it must take to be come a Master Sommelier, when I feel with 3-4 main regions comprising hundreds of bottles, I am still learning, still making mistakes, and still searching for wines that make you pause and smile.

And I agree, PBM nailed it!

(in reply to vinopkm)

Post #: 13

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 1:16:42 AM

Wrighty

Posts: 768
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
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The only limit is what I can get - which is quite a lot of Aussie in HK and Bordeaux but will try almost anything (even Chinese wine) - and then what I can afford.

I tend to go through phases (or cases) of areas. Last buy was an Italian selection and last night was a predominately French night; next week is Australian, the week after Vergelegen and/or New Zealand - if I can get the passes of course!

(in reply to Hollowine)

Post #: 14

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 1:24:37 AM

Colonel Lawrence

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
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100% focus on Bordeaux for three years.
Meant I collected a range which I can enjoy for 20+ years and really learn about them.

Now it's time for the New World.

After another ten years I hope to achieve the status of wine novice,
learning was never like this at school though.

L.

(in reply to Wrighty)

Post #: 15

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 1:39:52 AM

Wrighty

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From: Hong Kong
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I tend to find it's just as hard to remember what I learn but that could have more to do with the wine killing those brain cells!

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)

Post #: 16

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 9:29:11 AM

pjaines

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From: London
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Wrighty

The only limit is what I can get - which is quite a lot of Aussie in HK and Bordeaux but will try almost anything (even Chinese wine) - and then what I can afford.

I tend to go through phases (or cases) of areas. Last buy was an Italian selection and last night was a predominately French night; next week is Australian, the week after Vergelegen and/or New Zealand - if I can get the passes of course!

Wrighty - try the Keith Chegwin method - hide bottles in bushes on your route to work.

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(in reply to Wrighty)

Post #: 17

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 12:32:34 PM

Nickbb

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Joined: 5/1/2008
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I couldn't agree more Wrighty, But it's fun having to remind yourself.....again and again!

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Post #: 18

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 3:36:57 PM

mjobtx

Posts: 123
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline

The reason I love offlines is because I get to taste wine that I would never think to buy or because of limits (yes there are limits for some of us) on my spending, just wouldn't fit in the budget. I collect the wines that I know I live very much. They include Bordeaux from better vintages in the 80s and 90s; Piedmont and Tuscan wines primarily from '96 & '97, German Riesling lately from '01 (Spat - TBA). I also buy wines from my favorite producer in Spain - Palacios and a random few producers in the US like Quilceda Creek, Shafer, Kosta Browne. And I shouldn't forget those wonderful sweet wines from the Loire in particular Baumard QdC and Delesvaux SGN. Everything else is one-offs if the price is right.

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RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/18/2008 7:33:39 PM

Wrighty

Posts: 768
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: pjaines

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wrighty

The only limit is what I can get - which is quite a lot of Aussie in HK and Bordeaux but will try almost anything (even Chinese wine) - and then what I can afford.

I tend to go through phases (or cases) of areas. Last buy was an Italian selection and last night was a predominately French night; next week is Australian, the week after Vergelegen and/or New Zealand - if I can get the passes of course!

Wrighty - try the Keith Chegwin method - hide bottles in bushes on your route to work.

Good idea but we have a shortage of bushes in HK!

(in reply to pjaines)

Post #: 20

RE: How much do you limit yourself ? - 10/19/2008 8:44:32 AM

pjaines

Posts: 925
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
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Wrighty - you are obviously not taking your problem seriously enough.

Who doesn't stash a couple of bottles of wine on their route to work for a quick pick me up? What? Oh! Just me? Damn.

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(in reply to Wrighty)

Post #: 21