The place for all things wine, focused on serious wine discussions.

Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker

no avatar
User

Hoke

Rank

Achieving Wine Immortality

Posts

11420

Joined

Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:07 am

Location

Portland, OR

Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Hoke » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:26 pm

The parallel discussion on "California First Growths" ( one of those perennial discussions on what Bueker called the "wineternet") led me to revive another perennial topic: how have your tastes shifted over the last five years or so?

If they have shifted, that is.

No new territories have emerged for me. If anything, I have consolidated into smaller an smaller territories that I've already explored, and am finally getting to point where I'm not looking for the next great region or the next great style emergence.

And what I'm looking for more than anything else is the iterations...wherever it may come from...of purity and balance and clarity in a wine.

So more than ever I'm dispensing with vast areas that have little or no interest to me, and focusing on certain producers in areas that do. So: Austria, Germany, Northern Italy, and less so but in selected parts of Southern Italy, Slovenia, selected parts of Spain, New Zealand, carefully selected producers from California/Washington, more from Oregon because I live here and there's some interesting things going on. And France, of course, in all her manifold pleasures (surprising or not, more from the Languedoc-Roussillon, again because there are some fascinating things happening there).

Very, very little from Australia. Little from Chile, slightly more from Argentina, Little from Portugal (athough I'd like to remedy that.)

My spirits interests have led me back-----big time----to vermouths and chinatos and aperitif and things bittersweet and herbally driven, and I'm much, much more appreciative of the "orange wines," and not at all afraid of the strange and quirky---but also more aware and more ready to call bullshit on the outrages allowed by such envelope stretching.
no avatar
User

David M. Bueker

Rank

Riesling Guru

Posts

34220

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:52 am

Location

Connecticut

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by David M. Bueker » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:38 pm

The little "bump on the head" I experienced in 2010 had caused me to explore more fruit forward wines, but as things have returned to normal my tastes have gone right back to where they were - mostly Euro or Euro-styled wines with a few bigger wines thrown in for guilty pleasures.

The big shift for me remains my 2000 or so shift away from zinfandel in all things.
Decisions are made by those who show up
no avatar
User

Bob Parsons Alberta

Rank

aka Doris

Posts

10773

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:09 pm

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:45 pm

Zinfandel does not feature in my cellar anymore. More Portugal, love the whites I have access to, but prime is Rheingau, Loire Valley and Languedoc. Not much has changed really but would love to have better access to the Jura.
no avatar
User

Hoke

Rank

Achieving Wine Immortality

Posts

11420

Joined

Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:07 am

Location

Portland, OR

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Hoke » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:03 pm

Zinfandel, huh? Curious: has Zinfandel left you or have you left Zinfandel?

That is to say, have you merely gravitated away from Zinfandel, or has Zinfandel changed in its overall stylistic presentation so much you're not interested in that?

I'm not drinking much Zinfandel anymore either, and have to be much more selective; hard to find a Zinfandel I really care for anymore (as I don't like pruny-raisin overripe fat glossiness).
no avatar
User

Redwinger

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

4038

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:36 pm

Location

Way Down South In Indiana, USA

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Redwinger » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:23 pm

My tastes probably haven't shifted, but almost two years ago, I decided to quit alcohol for 30 days in observance of the Pastafarian Wholey Daze. I had no real intention of going sober, but haven't had a drink since.
Smile, it gives your face something to do!
no avatar
User

JC (NC)

Rank

Lifelong Learner

Posts

6679

Joined

Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:23 pm

Location

Fayetteville, NC

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by JC (NC) » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:11 pm

I'm drinking more Pinot Noirs from the Sonoma Coast AVA (although I also still purchase Russian River Valley, Oregon and Burgundian Pinots.)
I purchase more rose' and Albarino for summer drinking and less New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc than in the past but still purchase some Sancerre S.B.
I discovered I do like some Chateauneuf du Pape (Vieux Telegraphe, Roger Sabon, some Beaucastel) but not the bretty ones.
Still exploring Spanish and Italian reds but make limited purchases in these areas.
Would buy more Austrian Riesling if 1) It was more available locally; and 2) it were less expensive.
I still buy some Zinfandel from Robert Biale Vineyards, Joseph Swan, Scherrer, etc. but probably less than twelve bottles a year.
no avatar
User

Rahsaan

Rank

Wild and Crazy Guy

Posts

9206

Joined

Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:20 pm

Location

New York, NY

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Rahsaan » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:48 pm

Hoke wrote:So more than ever I'm dispensing with vast areas that have little or no interest to me, and focusing on certain producers in areas that do. So: Austria, Germany, Northern Italy, and less so but in selected parts of Southern Italy, Slovenia, selected parts of Spain, New Zealand, carefully selected producers from California/Washington, more from Oregon because I live here and there's some interesting things going on. And France, of course, in all her manifold pleasures (surprising or not, more from the Languedoc-Roussillon, again because there are some fascinating things happening there).


I guess that may be a narrowing of your tastes from the past, but I don't think you're in danger of becoming too insular just yet! :D

In my case, not much has changed in the past 5 years. Still focusing on the same basic areas (red Burgundy, Beaujolais, Northern Rhone, Germany, Loire, ESJ) although maybe I've slowed down on the Burgundy exploration because it's just so expensive.
no avatar
User

Mark Lipton

Rank

Oenochemist

Posts

4285

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:18 pm

Location

Indiana

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Mark Lipton » Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:31 pm

The last 5 years haven't seen much of a change in my tastes, especially in comparison with the sea change that occurred 1999-2004. Of course, there's also the question of whether it's my tastes that have changed or the wines. Nowadays, I buy far less Cabernet and Zinfandel from CA, and less Bordeaux and Chateauneuf from France. On the flip side, I buy far more Burgundy, CA Pinot Noir, CA Syrah, Cru Beaujolais, Loire Cab Franc, white wine (Muscadet, Chenin, Riesling, Chablis, Grüner Veltliner, Albariño and, recently, Pinot Blanc) and rosé. And I continue to expand my horizons, so in the last 5 years I've begun to explore wines from the Jura, Savoie, Galicia, Sicily and Germany outside of the M-S-R.

Mark Lipton
no avatar
User

Mark Lipton

Rank

Oenochemist

Posts

4285

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:18 pm

Location

Indiana

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Mark Lipton » Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:33 pm

Redwinger wrote:My tastes probably haven't shifted, but almost two years ago, I decided to quit alcohol for 30 days in observance of the Pastafarian Wholey Daze. I had no real intention of going sober, but haven't had a drink since.


I had heard rumblings of that, 'Winger. I will miss your presence at offlines in these parts, unless of course you decide to participate.

Mark Lipton
no avatar
User

Rahsaan

Rank

Wild and Crazy Guy

Posts

9206

Joined

Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:20 pm

Location

New York, NY

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Rahsaan » Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:35 pm

Mark Lipton wrote:Germany outside of the M-S-R.

Mark Lipton


Yeah, that's probably the biggest change in my drinking as well.
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42509

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Jenise » Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:10 pm

No changes here that signal a shift, just dialing further into the places I was already at. That is I was already a mostly-French wine drinker, but I've really started paying attention to Loire whites and Beaujolais. I've also made a more pointed attempt to get more of the wines I already knew I loved, like Italian Sangiovese and Burgundies, into our cellar.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

Jon Peterson

Rank

The Court Winer

Posts

2981

Joined

Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:53 pm

Location

The Blue Crab State

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Jon Peterson » Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:41 pm

No real changes. While I still enjoy a great Cabernet Sauvignon from Californoa or a real nice Bordeaux, I'm drinking more Pinot Noir than anything else, as usual. Perhaps one change is that I'm drinking more PN from Burgundy than Oregon or anywhere else. There have been occasional forays into PN from New Zealand and Santa Barbara but not that much. Liz and I both enjoy PN flavors and it versatility with foods.
no avatar
User

Jon Leifer

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

788

Joined

Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:34 pm

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Jon Leifer » Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:47 pm

drinking more whites, especially Sauv Blanc, and rose..drinking more zin and Cal syrah, fewer cabs, PN's, Ital reds, rhones, zippo from Oz or Bordeaux..
Jon
no avatar
User

Saina

Rank

Musaroholic

Posts

3976

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:07 pm

Location

Helsinki, Finland

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Saina » Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:12 pm

As inevitably happens when one matures, one's tastes in wines change. That's why these days I like trophy Bordeaux, Barossa Shiraz, modern Spanish and Super-Tuscans. I always had this nagging suggestion in my brain that made me question why I bought Musar and Riesling instead. I now know I shouldn't have bought what I liked to drink. I should have bought what I hated when younger.
I don't drink wine because of religious reasons ... only for other reasons.
no avatar
User

Dan Smothergill

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

729

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:24 pm

Location

Syracuse, NY

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Dan Smothergill » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:29 pm

More blends. I used to wonder why anyone would mess around with a white varietal by blending it with something. Then I discovered in my own winemaking that Muscat Ottonnel really is better with some Riesling or Chardonnay blended in. And a young Iona is softened by Steuben. Now I look for blends that seem interesting when buying commercial wines.
no avatar
User

Carl Eppig

Rank

Our Maine man

Posts

4149

Joined

Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:38 pm

Location

Middleton, NH, USA

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Carl Eppig » Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:08 pm

Maybe a couple more whites than before; has to due with diet change.
no avatar
User

Bill Hooper

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

2001

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:46 am

Location

McMinnville, OR

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Bill Hooper » Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:12 am

I drink far fewer Burgundies than I used to because of the price and far fewer sweet rieslings because I mostly prefer a drier style. I'm also happy to have gotten so much exposure to different wines in Germany -and now in Oregon - even if it comes at the expense of others that I used to drink more frequently. Deep v. Wide I guess.

Cheers,
Bill
Wein schenkt Freude
ITB paetrawine.com
no avatar
User

Brian Gilp

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

1440

Joined

Tue May 23, 2006 5:50 pm

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Brian Gilp » Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:35 am

More Virgnia and Central Coast CA wines than 5 years ago. Also more Sonoma Coast PN.

Less Finger Lakes since I only buy when we visit and have not gone in years. Can't really pin down another area that is less.

Shift in the Cal Cabs. Not many Napa floor wines anymore (Except EMH) and instead buying Mtn Cabs.

Not much change elsewhere. Probably more from S. Italy due mainly to increased purchases from Sicily.
no avatar
User

Sam Platt

Rank

I am Sam, Sam I am

Posts

2330

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:22 pm

Location

Indiana, USA

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Sam Platt » Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:13 am

Definitely a shift away from red Burg (cost driven) and Aussie Shiraz (taste driven) toward Rhone, Cal Cab, and NW Pinots. WRT whites, we have much more Champagne in storage than five years ago and much less Sauv Blanc. Our white to red consumption ratio is still about 3 to 1.
Sam

"The biggest problem most people have is that they think they shouldn't have any." - Tony Robbins
no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21609

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Robin Garr » Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:45 am

Hmm. Very, very interesting topic, Hoke. Thanks for starting it.

For me, no 180 turns or changes in direction but certainly a solidifying of the direction I was already headed: I want my wine to be food-friendly, Euro-style, dare I say "natural/anti-flavor wine elite"?) More than ever resistant to ParkerSpectatorized styles, won't bother to drink or even open high-alcohol, big fruit, big oak bottles. I rarely if ever spend $20 for a bottle any more, but recognizing reality, I also rarely if ever spend less than $10.

I was just saying to Mary the other night that I could probably be pretty happy with Tuscany and Cotes-du-Rhone and, when I can find it, decent affordable Pinot, for 90 percent of the red I drink, because I find them the most food-friendly and, in the affordable price ranges, less likely to be spoofy.

I may drink a somewhat higher percentage of whites than I used to because of my unexpected shift into mostly plant-based eating, and my tastes seem to go to Rhone or Austrian whites or selected Italian whites provided I can sort out the rich and interesting items from the vast lake of boring industrial Italian whites. Or good Loire whites when I can find them.

Do I sound cranky? I don't mean to. I still love wine as much as I did five years ago, but it may be that I don't take it as seriously. I enjoy it with dinner and would like a different wine every time I have wine with dinner, and that will still be several times a week.
no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21609

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Robin Garr » Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:47 am

Otto wrote:As inevitably happens when one matures, one's tastes in wines change. That's why these days I like trophy Bordeaux, Barossa Shiraz, modern Spanish and Super-Tuscans. I always had this nagging suggestion in my brain that made me question why I bought Musar and Riesling instead. I now know I shouldn't have bought what I liked to drink. I should have bought what I hated when younger.

Otto? Is that you? :mrgreen:
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42509

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Jenise » Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:07 pm

Otto wrote:As inevitably happens when one matures, one's tastes in wines change. That's why these days I like trophy Bordeaux, Barossa Shiraz, modern Spanish and Super-Tuscans. I always had this nagging suggestion in my brain that made me question why I bought Musar and Riesling instead. I now know I shouldn't have bought what I liked to drink. I should have bought what I hated when younger.


Yeah, SURE. :wink:
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

James Roscoe

Rank

Chat Prince

Posts

11011

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm

Location

D.C. Metro Area - Maryland

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by James Roscoe » Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:29 pm

More from Italy for sure!
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
no avatar
User

Clint Hall

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

616

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:39 am

Location

Seattle, WA

Re: Five Year Checkup: How have your tastes shifted?

by Clint Hall » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:27 pm

My changes in taste is recent years have not been dramatic, with one exception. Like David and Bob, I've found my love affair with Zinfanel grow cold and seen the Zin section in my cellar shrink to a sliver of its old self, with nothing left but old Lyttons and Geezers, which I like but postpone drinking, maybe because with time they taste less and less like Zinfandel.
Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Majestic-12 [Bot] and 3 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign