2000 Miles of synced tweaking

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Wine (Read 508 times)
posted: 2/4/2010 at 1:51 AM
Beer.  Spirits.  Running is a blue collar sport, we've discussed the stereotypical alcoholic varieties one would expect of such a crowd.  I am an equal-opportunity consumer of the work product of yeast, however.  Do we have any wine lovers here?

Commercially, I am a pinot noir whore.  When I'm not paying the tab I search out the pinot section, as my taste buds have found that pinot is one wine where you truly get what you pay for.  I've had great "cheap" merlots and cabernets but have yet to find a steal on pinot noir.  I hope to do a Napa tour in March when I am out there for work or at least as a vacation this fall.

The bulk of what I drink is home brew.  I'm kicking back with a glass (or 4) of homemade black raspberry wine right now.  In grad school there were two of us biochemists and an engineer, bored with time on our hands, so we started making our own wine.  We had no vines so we started with table grapes from the grocery store and fresh fruits we had available either from commercial orchards or the farms we came from.  Stuff from the first couple years as we learned was not great, but the last 3-4 years we produced (and boy did we produce) has gotten high marks from impartial drinkers.  A household of 2 or more can legally make 200 gallons/year under federal law, and we held right at 180 gallons/year for 2-3 years, accumulating more than 1,200 bottles by the time we parted ways.  Black raspberry was our flagship product, though we also made good enough apple wine to be chosen for a couple weddings.  We made some amazingly good champagne from run-of-the-mill white table grapes.  Red raspberry is also good quality.

Now that I have property, I have 2 different wine grape varieties up and running, along with 2 table grape varieties (50 vines total).  I gave in and ordered another red wine variety for this year, so I will be expanding to 70 vines.  The first 20 vines reach maturity this year so I will be able to make my first real grape wine this fall, weather cooperating.  I have plots of both black and red raspberries up and running, so I should be returning to making those as well this year.  Good thing as my supply of homemade wine is running low...
"I think it comes from video games. You never have to reload and you get three lives if you screw up. What they missed was that it sucked every quarter you had out of your pocket; when you are done you still haven't accomplished anything, you lost your three lives and now you can't buy a soda."
-- C-R on the world

marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K)


Skooter MacDooter

posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:12 AM
modified: 2/4/2010 at 2:15 AM
I've been working in the wine industry for a number of years. I'm about to start a new job at a new restaurant and will be in charge of the entire wine, beer and spirits program. I'm super stoked. I plan to get my sommelier certification this year.

If you're looking for a budget pinot, best of luck. It's notriously difficult to grow, and most inexpensive bottles are doctored one way or another and not so hot. There's a lot of wonderful domestic PN for $20-30, but french PN that's decent and affordable is super hard to come by, although way amazing when you get the right bottle. 

A couple nice bottles I've found under $20-

Viridian Pinot Noir (oregon): super burgundian in style with great acidity and soft fruit.
Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara county: a bit more new world in style, but still terroir driven and well integrated.
A to Z (oregon): rather burgundian as well. Powerful mouthfeel with a super long finish...get the 2008, the 2007 was pretty weak.
Marathon: 3:30:00 Half: sub 1:40:00 10 Miles: sub 1:15:00 10k: sub 43:00 5k: sub 20:00 1 Mile: race one, I guess sub 6:00

"If you run in a tutu, you'd better be ready to win in a tutu" -The Skootr
posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:19 AM
modified: 2/4/2010 at 2:22 AM
Awesome.  Thanks for the advice.  $20-$30 is budget for decent pinot in my experience.

I was heartbroken when I learned that the only place you can grow pinot in Indiana is within line-of-sight of the Ohio River.  I've got another Noir variety on order but it's not going to be the same.  I considered rebelling and planting anyway, but we got 3-4 days of "20-yr" cold temps last year and it killed  5 of 6 table grape vines one hardiness level above pinot.

Sommolier (sp?), that is outstanding.  If I ever start my own business winery is near the top of the list.
"I think it comes from video games. You never have to reload and you get three lives if you screw up. What they missed was that it sucked every quarter you had out of your pocket; when you are done you still haven't accomplished anything, you lost your three lives and now you can't buy a soda."
-- C-R on the world

marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K)


Skooter MacDooter

posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:23 AM
Also- don't waste time on any pinot in napa...santa barbara is where it's at for california pinot. I've been to napa and sonoma, and would encourage you to spend a little more time in sonoma, particularly if you want some face time with wine makers, or if you just want that "tiny vineyard kinda awesome crazy dude in a garage" experience where you really see the winemaking going on. There's a lot of big sonoma vintners, but a lot of awesome smaller ones that you kind of have to search out...may I suggest:

Luxton Vineyards
Peterson Winery
Trentadue Winery
Wellington Winery
Imagery Wines

Napa is not bad, but it's like wine Disneyland or Wine Vegas if you get my drift. Way too glitzy for me.
Marathon: 3:30:00 Half: sub 1:40:00 10 Miles: sub 1:15:00 10k: sub 43:00 5k: sub 20:00 1 Mile: race one, I guess sub 6:00

"If you run in a tutu, you'd better be ready to win in a tutu" -The Skootr
posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:30 AM
Awesome.  See, I'm the kind of guy who goes to the Bahamas and asks the taxi driver where the locals eat.  I'm not so into the tourist experience, I like the uniqueness of going off the beaten path.  I'll look into your suggestions.  I have a whole Saturday in March in San Francisco, the trip paid for by work, but nothing to do that particular day.
"I think it comes from video games. You never have to reload and you get three lives if you screw up. What they missed was that it sucked every quarter you had out of your pocket; when you are done you still haven't accomplished anything, you lost your three lives and now you can't buy a soda."
-- C-R on the world

marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K)


monkey groovy

posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:31 AM
Pinot Noir?  Really? Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.
peace, love and hills

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.


A Saucy Wench

posted: 2/4/2010 at 2:35 AM

I like wine.  I tend to have low crass tastes which is good because I have a low crass budget.  Unless I am going to spring for a good wine I find some of the bargain wines better than the "medium-low" wines.  i.e. I think <$10 is usually better than $15-20

 

Around here being pinot noir country you can get decent medium priced pinot since you can skip a lot of the markup, but its one variety I really dont care for. If you want a Pinot tour in the U.S. you should come here. (oregon Willamette Valley).  I am smack in wine country. Something like 200 wineries within a 30 minute drive.  I can run to at least 3 on my normal loops.

 

My friend used to make a decent pinot but he retired and sold his vineyard to one of the bigger vineyards and they dont do as well with his grapes as he did. For awhile they kept his grapes separate but they mix them in with other holdings now

 

 My current favorite red in the <$30 range might be Sinister Hand (Owen Roe) -its a blend and I know a lot of people dont like blends but that one never fails to taste really really good.  Plus unless I want to get snookered I need to find a wine that dh and I agree on and that is one of them.

Beware the Pink Boxing Gloves of DOOM! "It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds" - Captain Hammer

I failed the 12 minute run at 15...BQ'd at 38
"You worry too much. Eat some bacon... What? No, I got no idea if it'll make you feel better, I just made too much bacon." -shitmydadsays
posted: 2/4/2010 at 3:17 AM
Quote from Trent on 2/4/2010 at 2:31 AM:
Pinot Noir?  Really? Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.

 

That's about when I turned that particular flick off and went back to scotch....

I guess I've got a bit too much redneck in me to appreciate it.

"I think it comes from video games. You never have to reload and you get three lives if you screw up. What they missed was that it sucked every quarter you had out of your pocket; when you are done you still haven't accomplished anything, you lost your three lives and now you can't buy a soda."
-- C-R on the world

marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K)


monkey groovy

posted: 2/4/2010 at 3:25 AM
Wine is by definition a country drink.  Strip away the money and it is just rotten grape juice.
peace, love and hills

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.


noma nisa nisla nd

posted: 2/4/2010 at 3:27 AM
thanks, trent!!!!!!!!
if you don't run, you'll rust. [tom petty] ..... i just wanna get back on track, even if it kills me. [motion city soundtrack]
posted: 2/4/2010 at 3:38 AM
Quote from Trent on 2/4/2010 at 2:31 AM:
Pinot Noir?  Really? Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.

 

That movie was hilarious.

Luti 2010. It won't come down to a kick this year. Thunder by 20+ seconds. Put that in your pipe and smoke it -Thunder, March 18, 2010


Skooter MacDooter

posted: 2/4/2010 at 6:26 AM
modified: 2/4/2010 at 6:29 AM
Quote from spaniel on 2/4/2010 at 2:19 AM:
Awesome.  Thanks for the advice.  $20-$30 is budget for decent pinot in my experience.


Sommelier (sp?), that is outstanding.  If I ever start my own business winery is near the top of the list.

 

re: spelling, fify Wink

re: pinot-

I always just consider "budget" to mean under $20 in general, having said that, if you consider 20-30 budget for Pinot I can suggest a lot of alternatives! I'll start with a few...

my number one being the Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir's...best of which I think is the Keefer Vineyard, though Gary's Vineyard is also fantastic. Both should run in the upper twenties to low thirties....


Another consideration should be the Melville Pinot noir Estate which is fantastic and well worth the money.


finally I would heartily suggest the  Patricia Green Croft Vineyard or "Pinot Noir reserve" both are fantastic and worth the cash...

Marathon: 3:30:00 Half: sub 1:40:00 10 Miles: sub 1:15:00 10k: sub 43:00 5k: sub 20:00 1 Mile: race one, I guess sub 6:00

"If you run in a tutu, you'd better be ready to win in a tutu" -The Skootr


Skooter MacDooter

posted: 2/4/2010 at 6:31 AM
Quote from Trent on 2/4/2010 at 2:31 AM:
Pinot Noir?  Really? Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.

Jesus...you really insist on being impossible don't you?

I gotta say, I applaud your efforts Wink

Marathon: 3:30:00 Half: sub 1:40:00 10 Miles: sub 1:15:00 10k: sub 43:00 5k: sub 20:00 1 Mile: race one, I guess sub 6:00

"If you run in a tutu, you'd better be ready to win in a tutu" -The Skootr


Skooter MacDooter

posted: 2/4/2010 at 6:39 AM
And finally- if we're sticking with American Pinot Noir here, I gotta say, if you want amazing terroir driven stuff, all the Au bon Climat is the best terroir driven shit in the country, though it literally gets better the more expensive it is (I find that frustrating) because the more he charges the more he has to spend on terroir....it's worth it, but irritating to someone who wants to be a man of the people. Having said that if you don't care about dropping a bunch of cash, Patricia Green has the best vineyards in Oregon, they just aint cheap.
Marathon: 3:30:00 Half: sub 1:40:00 10 Miles: sub 1:15:00 10k: sub 43:00 5k: sub 20:00 1 Mile: race one, I guess sub 6:00

"If you run in a tutu, you'd better be ready to win in a tutu" -The Skootr
posted: 2/4/2010 at 11:52 AM
Quote from The Skootr on 2/4/2010 at 6:39 AM:
And finally- if we're sticking with American Pinot Noir here, I gotta say, if you want amazing terroir driven stuff, all the Au bon Climat is the best terroir driven shit in the country, though it literally gets better the more expensive it is (I find that frustrating) because the more he charges the more he has to spend on terroir....it's worth it, but irritating to someone who wants to be a man of the people. Having said that if you don't care about dropping a bunch of cash, Patricia Green has the best vineyards in Oregon, they just aint cheap.

 Man, you really know your stuff.  I just ferment and drink the stuff, and try to avoid having the wine list land in my lap when the chips are down.

"I think it comes from video games. You never have to reload and you get three lives if you screw up. What they missed was that it sucked every quarter you had out of your pocket; when you are done you still haven't accomplished anything, you lost your three lives and now you can't buy a soda."
-- C-R on the world

marathon - 2:28
HM - 1:09:53
10K - 30:57
5K - 15:18 (2nd half of above 10K)
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