Expensive wines may taste better, as long as you know they are expensive.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by eljr

we all have expectation bias

it's great to claim you don't but if you really didn't, you'd be a machine

We certainly do have bias. The simple and fun test of wine tasting shows evidence of bias. Bias is real, be aware of it; control it. Otherwise, ignorance to the fact of bias can lead to poor decision making.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Kingsrule

Not really. Most novice non wine drinkers will like blends.

With all the great wines on the market when was the last time anyone has had a bad bottle rated at various price points?

Its a great time to be into wine!

Interesting point of view on blends. The wines most novices appear to like IME are high alcohol fruit bombs, regardless of grape content.

Bad bottles are out there at all price points and more than you think.

Yes it is definitely a great time to be into wine.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Cohibaman

Exactly! I have 2 favorites I regularly pick up for under $14, and when on sale, one is usually $8.99 or $9.99. But that's not to say I don't buy and enjoy some $25, $50, or $100 bottles. There are many finds for under $15 a bottle that could easily hold their own served along side some $20 a glass wines at a restaurant.

The biggest issue I find with inexpensive wines is vintage to vintage consistency. When I find a gem that becomes capable of being a daily drinker, it often changes with the next vintage. Sometimes up, sometimes down but change it does. Our group of daily drinkers rotates regularly because of this.

And don't get me started on restaurants and wines

[jhchernoff]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

The biggest issue I find with inexpensive wines is vintage to vintage consistency. When I find a gem that becomes capable of being a daily drinker, it often changes with the next vintage. Sometimes up, sometimes down but change it does. Our group of daily drinkers rotates regularly because of this. And don't get me started on restaurants and wines

Vintages vary across all levels of wine. It's probably more pronounced in less expensive wine as their source of grapes may vary year to year. But even among Bordeaux, the quality will vary due to climate and other factors. Kind of like playing a stereo in one room and then moving it to another. Same equipment, different climate.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by jhchernoff

Vintages vary across all levels of wine. It's probably more pronounced in less expensive wine as their source of grapes may vary year to year. But even among Bordeaux, the quality will vary due to climate and other factors. Kind of like playing a stereo in one room and then moving it to another. Same equipment, different climate.

The variability vintage to vintage is always present regardless of pedigree.

But as you suggest, the variability is typically far greater in less expensive wines - which was my point in the first place.

The same stereo/different room analogy doesn't quite work for me since often times the grape %s and vineyards(components) change year to year (room to room). It's not just changing rooms, it's changing components too.

[GaryProtein]

Try many, drink a lot, find what you like, if you're not too drunk to keep drinking, buy a lot of what you liked.

[Cohibaman]

I'd love to get some suggestions from you guys for your favorite red daily drinkers <$50 and <$25 bottle.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

Try many, drink a lot, find what you like, if you're not too drunk to keep drinking, buy a lot of what you liked.

[JJinID]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

The variability vintage to vintage is always present regardless of pedigree.

But as you suggest, the variability is typically far greater in less expensive wines - which was my point in the first place.

The same stereo/different room analogy doesn't quite work for me since often times the grape %s and vineyards(components) change year to year (room to room). It's not just changing rooms, it's changing components too.

and right on the mark, Bill!

Also, the variability is more or less depending on region. I just spent a week in Western Oregon (including celebrating our anniversary at the coast, which was fantastic!) and did some more pinot tasting. 2007 compared to 2008 is a gigantic contrast. Same with 2011 vs. 2012. There is incredible variability year over year with Oregon Pinots. Same with most Bordeaux vintages. Less so but still definitely present in California, and WA state, while there are differences year over year, seems to be pretty much consistently good to great to awesome (especially Red Mountain wines)!

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by JJinID

and right on the mark, Bill!

Also, the variability is more or less depending on region. I just spent a week in Western Oregon (including celebrating our anniversary at the coast, which was fantastic!) and did some more pinot tasting. 2007 compared to 2008 is a gigantic contrast. Same with 2011 vs. 2012. There is incredible variability year over year with Oregon Pinots. Same with most Bordeaux vintages. Less so but still definitely present in California, and WA state, while there are differences year over year, seems to be pretty much consistently good to great to awesome (especially Red Mountain wines)!

Jeff we started the evening with a Magnum of 2012 DeLille Chaleur Estates Blend to go with Smoked Turkey and later Caviar followed by a Quilceda Creek 2011. The QC had no right to be that good. As you know I'm a Red Mountain kind of guy so a killer Columbia Valley is very nice!