Wine Habbits - Chime in!

This is a place to talk about your wine shopping habits, good and bad. What prevents you from trying something new every time? What are some fall-back wines if you are overwhelmed at the store? Are there people whose wine recommendations you will trust without trying the wine yourself first? (Insert your question here)?
I must admit, the reason for this forum is in part selfish because I want to know how I can help people try new wines and to care more about where the wine they drink comes from. But know that I will only use the knowledge I gain here for constructive purposes.
There is nothing inherently wrong with having 2-buck chuck as your fall-back, or standard wine purchase. I just know from working in the industry that there are SOOOO many other wines at any price range that can be a much more fulfilling experience.
Leave snobbery at the door. This is not the place. This is for newcomers and connoisseurs alike, as long as you can enter this discussion with an open mind and a respectful attitude.

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Permalink Reply by Sasha Bobylev on March 31, 2009 at 6:13pm: I haveto say, if you are in washington, the columbia crest cab sauv is a good fallback, but every time i drink it I still feel like something is missing. Something about the taste reminds me about the fact that it was a lack of courage to get something new....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sasha Bobylev on March 31, 2009 at 6:15pm: Don't worry people, I can talk to myself all day long. Spending a lot of time with my dog has made me totally comfortable with having entire conversations with myself, but for the sake of the average sanity of humanity, please say something....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lloyd Benedict on April 1, 2009 at 7:01pm: Hmmm... this is a deep thread. I will need to meditate on this one....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sasha Bobylev on April 2, 2009 at 1:05pm: I like drinking wine out of the bottle....hope no one is offended.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linderelli on April 2, 2009 at 4:55pm: Ok - I know how it feels to talk to myself. . . Sasha, I have to tell you: I have pretty much one fall back wine - and it's Kung Fu Girl. I find myself buying it every other month or so. (Probably one of the only wines I ever buy in a grocery.) I have a couple others I love so much I had to buy multiples. Not sure if I will ever be able to buy more of them, but some of them are "that special" to me.

I do love to try new things though as well! I can't say that I find myself thinking that when I am shopping at the supermarket - if I'm "last minute-ing" it I look for something I "know" - winery or region. On the other hand. . . if a friend recommends something (my friends have extremely good taste!) then I will check it out. P.S. The Mannina Cellars Cali is a dope deal and wicked (good) wine.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sasha Bobylev on April 2, 2009 at 5:01pm: Kung Fu Girl riesling is quite tasty, crisp, clean - good acidity....but my fallback is never a white. I tried a 8-somethin' dollar argentine malbec the other day, Conquistor I believe it was called....meh - it was ok, quite drinkable, but not very malbec-ish....given the choice again, I would pass on it next time.....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laurence Davidson on April 21, 2009 at 6:31pm: Hello Linderelli...

If you like Charles' KF Girl, check out Tildio Winery's new Rielsing from up in Chelan.... I love Charles like a brother and his wines are always good to great... but the Tildio just checked him out of the hotel and kicked his butt around the block a couple of times ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erica Walter on April 3, 2009 at 9:21am: Okay - in general, wine can be overwhelming, whether you're shopping on line or in the wine aisle at the grocery store. That's why so many people end up buying based on price or pretty labels. If I'm going to spend more than $20 on a bottle of wine, its something I've either tasted before or have had highly recommended to me by a friend. My biggest splurge?

Kenefick Ranch 2004 Cabernet Franc; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Allison Bennett on April 22, 2009 at 2:35pm: Hi Erica! There is so much out there in the $20. and below price range that is really good! I love trying new wines...exploring! In the economy today, people are not taking wine out of their budget...they are just changing what they spend and the wines under $20. a bottle are the "sweet spot". The trick is to find great wines at a great price that TASTE LIKE $50. bottles! Right?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linderelli on April 3, 2009 at 2:06pm: I have one bottle of this left, and I am sure I will save it for a special occasion. This was definitely a splurge item for me. . . I want more!

Kenefick Ranch 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Hunter on April 3, 2009 at 7:03pm: i love wine. both white and red, however, the white just came recently. I don't tend to remember names, more just because, perhaps, i don't tend to shop for wine as much as i shop for beer. i've thought about taking some sort of introductory class, that way i could pinpoint out wines from different regions that i might like, in a better way to try new wines. thats the thing, just like how i choose a different 6-pack of beer when i'm given an exciting alternative, i'd like to be able to know more about choosing different wines. i LOVE red wine. and i've had good syrah's/shiraz (whats the difference besides region?), and pinot noirs. and i like rich flavors, and i'll try'em all if the price is alright. i'd also like to know what kind of wines to drink with certain meals?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brandon Kubrock on April 5, 2009 at 1:40pm: My fall-back wines tend to be Spanish in origin. Usually a good product for the price; ▶ Reply to This