Wine Tasting and Wii

Wine Tasting and Wii

June 16th, 2009 @ 2:24 pm by Mrs. Gloss

Over the weekend we had a few friends over for wine tasting and Wii to determine what types of vino we should buy for the wedding. Eight bottles later, we really only remembered what the first two tasted like… but we tried.

We had selected wines by Robert Mondavi, since this was one of our favorite vineyards when Mr. Gloss and I were in Napa Valley last year. We love the ’Private Selection’ label, but he also has a ’Woodbridge’ label which is a few $$ less per bottle. Saving $4 bottle when you are buying in bulk adds up pretty fast, so we wanted to make sure there was a true difference between the two bottles.The first wines we tested/tasted were the two Pinot Grigios, and there was an overwhelming response for the cheaper bottle! (Yesss!)

Next up : Chardonnay - We liked the more expensive bottle of Chardonnay, but not better than the Pinot. We may only buy one white and one red to make things easier, but we haven’t quite decided yet.

Then we moved to the reds. The two merlots were first, and the decision was split - ugh! The Woodbridge line does not have a Pinot Noir varietal (and both Mr. Gloss and I are big fans of the Pinot Noir) so we tested this against a Cabernet Sauvignon. The Pinot won… I think…

There was only 1 wine glass casualty, and unfortunately it was one of the $30 crystal ones and not one of the ones I picked up at the Dollar Store (only likely, huh?).

If you were on a budget for wine, did you opt for cheaper wine in quantity, or less bottles of better wine?

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25 Responses to “Wine Tasting and Wii”

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,553 posts, Bee Keeper

I’m a big fan of red — so I say get two good reds and the favored (cheap!) white.

6/16/09 @ 2:28 pm (reply)

Member

Luvbug6315 (message) 427 posts, Helper bee

I’m a big fan of white, so I say equal amounts of both! While it would be nice to have two diff. kinds of each, it may be easier for one of each. Plus less options=quicker lines.

6/16/09 @ 2:31 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Mouse (message) 3,301 posts, Sugar bee

I picked 2 of each, bc the more optoins you have, the more people will be happy! However, if you had to cut one, cut the more expensive white.

6/16/09 @ 2:33 pm (reply)

Member

Gerbera (message) 823 posts, Busy bee

Mondavi’s Johannesburg Rieseling (I believe now it’s just their PS Riesling) is actually one of the first wines that I ever liked.
We do not have expensive taste -like Mondavi is usually as expensive as we get on the norm- but we and his family like wine enough that we most likely will not go the box wine or 2 buck chuck route!

6/16/09 @ 2:38 pm (reply)

Member

GretaB (message) 171 posts, Blushing bee

I say just go with one of each. You might have a few people who are really picky about wine and will wish you had more choices, but if your guests as a group are anything like most I’ve seen, they’ll be happy with what there is! (And I agree with luvbug–quicker choices=shorter bar lines)
I know personally if left to my own devices I would not choose Chardonnays, Merlots, and Cabs (I like the less common varieties better), but since those three are the most common wines at events, I can easily be happy with one of them and I bet your guests will be happy with whatever you choose too.

6/16/09 @ 2:41 pm (reply)

Member

shelliduke (message) 222 posts, Helper bee

I have been debating about this too. I don’t think most of my friends and family are wone connesieurs enough to need a very wide selection, and I know I’m not. I will probably end up getting one type of red and one of white. I say go with the cheapest! You have to save $ where you can, $4 a bottle adds up quick!

6/16/09 @ 2:42 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss French Bulldog (message) 6,063 posts, Bee Keeper

I say do the best white and the best red… or do 2 whites and a red. I imagine the weather is hot in August where you are too and I’m not a big fan of red wine when I’m hot
We’re doing 2 of each b/c our venue gives us the option of 4 wines and Mr Frenchie wanted at least 2 reds. I’m still pulling for 2 whites, champagne and 1 red b/c of the heat, but I’m not winning :-/

6/16/09 @ 2:43 pm (reply)

Guest

keyedontie

we are going with the cheaper wine in more quantity. We are doing Tisdale…. $2.99 a bottle baby. But it comes out to $18 something a bottle by the time all the caterer and venue fees are added on. If we did anymore than 2.99 a bottle to begin with we wouldn’t be able to afford wine after all the fees.

So I hope it doesn’t taste like 2.99 wine to all of our guests. I guess if they don’t like it they can buy their own other type of wine at the cash bar.

I say do 1 red and 1 white, keeps things simpler for the guests. Plus no one likes having to switch the type of wine they are drinking after their first type runs out. So just have a lot of one type of red and white.

6/16/09 @ 2:46 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Calculator (message) 37 posts, Newbee

I said do the best white and 2 reds. Since you like the Pinot Noir (but it’s the more expensive kind), get some of that and some of a cheaper red to save some pennies. Lucky you that the white you liked best is the cheapest!

6/16/09 @ 2:49 pm (reply)

10.

Member

Miss Hot Sauce (message) 932 posts, Busy bee

I want to do a champagne tasting this weekend but I think it might be too soon - wedding is 9 months away. LOL

I chose 1 white and 2 reds bc I personally don’t like Chardonnay and don’t know anyone that does. Have you thought of trying a Reisling? Its a little sweeter but its one of our favs and quite refreshing, IMO.

I love Robert Mondavi wines. If you are looking for a good Pinot Noir have you ever tried Mark West? Its our favorite PN and is typically about $11.99/bottle around here but I saw it at Costco for $8.99! I’m definitely keeping that one in mind.

Good luck!

6/16/09 @ 2:51 pm (reply)

11.

Member

KellyV (message) 1,295 posts, Bumble bee

MMMMMM….Mondavi Pinot Noir is our favorite too! but FYI - there IS a Woodbridge Pinot Noir - we drink it all the time! Its not as good as the private select, but its still a frontrunner ahead of any other wines in my book. Here is a link to their site - definitely grab a bottle and try it!
http://www.woodbridgewines.com/CBICMS/woodbridge/our_wines/classics_detail.html?wine=45

6/16/09 @ 3:00 pm (reply)

12.

Hostess

august15bride (message) 1,378 posts, Bumble bee

Man, I wish I was invited to this party!

6/16/09 @ 3:03 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Champagne Wishes (message) 485 posts, Helper bee

I agree with Miss French Bulldog… since you are having a summer wedding, you might want to go with two whites and one red. Or have more white then red. Summer… a glass of white… how refreshing!

6/16/09 @ 3:08 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Gloss (message) 1,053 posts, Bumble bee

@KellyV: Thanks! I guess they just didn’t have it at the store we were at - they had everything else so I just assumed!!

6/16/09 @ 3:11 pm (reply)

15.

Member

Melissabegins (message) 843 posts, Busy bee

I think that the pinot would be a universally enjoyable white (instead of the chardonnay), but that red lovers are more varied, so 2 would be appreciated.

Maybe you could choose one red that tastes better slightly chilled (65 degrees-ish)? That way it’s a little better for summer.

6/16/09 @ 3:24 pm (reply)

16.

Member

pvaulter718 (message) 1,593 posts, Bumble bee

Unfortunately, I think that is a question that requires some good knowledge of your guests. I know most of my girls will drink Chardonnay, and my Fiance’s boys will drink beer, not red wine. To make this long story short, more of my guests will drink white than red, so I would go with one red and one white, but likely purchase more bottles of the white than the red. Did that make sense?

6/16/09 @ 3:28 pm (reply)

17.

Member

Melissabegins (message) 843 posts, Busy bee

Addition: here’s a link describing some red wines that can be chilled a bit and taste delish! http://www.novusvinum.com/features/chilled_red.html

6/16/09 @ 3:30 pm (reply)

18.

Member

oldfashionednewfangled (message) 10 posts, Newbee

What a great idea to make a party out of picking wines! I’m thinking we’ll have to have a party to decide on our signature drinks.

6/16/09 @ 3:47 pm (reply)

19.

Member

Vic004 (message) 784 posts, Busy bee

Are you having wine just for dinner? If you are I would get the wine that is a little more pricey. If your just getting the wine for the whole event I would get one of them the cheaper like the white. Your probably going to buy enough so you won’t run out so make sure your comfortable with the wine you choose you might be drinking it for a little while after the wedding.

6/16/09 @ 4:33 pm (reply)

20.

Member

LovestheBear (message) 875 posts, Busy bee

Go with two whites and one red. Most people tend to shy away from red in the summer anyway.

6/16/09 @ 5:25 pm (reply)

21.

Member

Newport Nuptials (message) 1,133 posts, Bumble bee

I’m not a wine drinker, but pretty much everyone I know who is goes for red. I’d either do two red and one white, or if it is more budget friendly, go for one of each.

6/16/09 @ 10:49 pm (reply)

22.

Bee

Mrs. Peep Toe (message) 1,636 posts, Bumble bee

Go with one of each. I am allergic to red, so I only drink white. People don’t need variety at a wedding. For our cocktail hour, 60 people drank a case of red, white, and bubbly. Plus 3/4 of a case of rose (my favorite). Hope that helps.

6/17/09 @ 11:50 am (reply)

23.

Bee

Mrs. Perfume (message) 1,632 posts, Bumble bee

What a fun idea! I’m with Peeptoe, one of each. We had several different ones ourselves.

6/18/09 @ 5:52 pm (reply)

24.

Guest

I’ll Toast to That » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog

[...] Ms. Gloss, the Joeys also held a little wine tasting last weekend. We had 10 random friends over to try the 7 [...]

6/19/09 @ 2:06 pm (reply)

25.

Guest

PlumpJack has an amazing wine called Speare. It’s perfect for weddings/catered events and has a Chardonnay and a Merlot. It isn’t made by PlumpJack Winery, but it is blended by all of the PlumpJack experts. I’m using it for an upcoming wedding and have had rave reviews.

6/25/09 @ 2:03 pm (reply)