Wine

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My naive experimentation continues...

Don't drink anything from 2005... I've got a mostly-full bottle of Merlot here and I don't think I'll be finishing it. It's just awful.

I knew I should have gotten some beer instead.

Is all grocery store wine this bad, or just most of it? How old does a wine have to be before it's relatively drinkable?

Grocery store wine isn't always the best quality. It may just be the type of wine you're drinking. Do you usually drink Merlot? You should definitely be able to drink a 2005 and not have it taste off. I'm not a fan of reds. I really like white wine though because it's supposed to be served chilled (I don't like room temperature drinks) and I find that the taste isn't as strong. A white chardonnay is my favourite.

Most grocery store stuff is intended to be drunk fairly quickly, so the age isn't really relevant. I've found the most important determining factor is where it's from. I drink largely bargain priced wine (less than $15), but I think the real key is don't buy from California. South America, especially Argentina, produces fabulous wines for a cheap price. Malbecs are usually great, although recently I had a literally $6 Sangiovese blend from Argentina that was better than 90% of the stuff I get from Cali and Australia. Although if you're dealing over $20, I really can't help you.

One's taste in wine is very subjective -- you can't take advice from anyone, just keep trying till you find out what you like.

For myself, I prefer Italian wines, I don't like French wines, and I don't have a preference regarding anywhere else.

I like full-bodied, dry red wines with a lot of character -- Cabernet Sauvignon and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo are my favorites.
For white wines I like a dry crisp wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a Brut Champagne (or sparkling wine).

Sweet wines make me ill.

I've found that Gallo is usually drinkable, but not very exciting.

smell the cork, maybe it was rotten

I like Chardonnay best (Chilean, right?). I also like Rose, but I hardly ever get to have that cos Mum doesn't like it.

Try a Gewurztraminer. It's white and sweet but not sickening sweet.

I take it back. It's drinkable. Not great, but drinkable.

Just ignore my opinion, it was my first wine.

I drank wine at communion, but that was my only experience with wine.

Keep trying. It's all about the experience. There is such a variety out there.

Raptor - I love a good Gewurztraminer. My favourite is from Pelee Island Winery. It's a Canadian company.

it tastes like how tom cat wee smells.

Mm, tom cat wee.

I think I actually know what you're talking about. I've noted a slight similarity between the smell of white grape juice and cat urine before.

There's a wine called "Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush." It's actually really good

I've found a lot of wine where my initial reaction is "yuck!" frequently develops much better as it airs.

Interestingly, the term "cat pee" is in common usage to describe the flavor of some white wines (wikipedia lists it as a usual description for the flavor of sauvignon blanc). I've never found the appeal of whites, and with "cat pee" and "gasoline" as flavors, I can't say I'm exactly enticed.

Sounds like you didn't let it "breathe" enough at first.

Red wines need to oxidize a little before they're drinkable. After opening the bottle for the first time, pour a glass of wine, then let it and the open bottle sit for at least 15 minutes. Then drink the wine and recork the bottle.

FYI, be careful when pouring out the last of the wine in the bottle -- there may be sediment at the bottom (dregs).

Ordinarily, I'd agree with you, but this is an a priori fact.