Wine...

[pajeff02]

In December, I had the truly pleasurable experience of having kidney stones for the first time in my life. At 47, it was my first real health issue and landed me in the surgical wing at our local hospital. I decided that since I enjoyed it so thoroughly that maybe it was time for some changes. As a further catalyst, we have a family history that includes cardiac and cancer issues on both sides. Over the past year, I have dropped 14 pounds without making any real changes other than eating a bit less.

Since December, I upped the ante and have totally cut out soda (I was a 2 can a day Diet Coke/Coke addict), started eating more veggies, drinking way more H2O, am trying to develop a taste for fruits, cut way back on salty snacks (my downfall), and am reading labels and choosing healthier options. My partner at the office and a staff member are semi-health nuts and they have been helping me with some of my choices.

One thing that I have added to the diet is a glass of red wine in the evening -- maybe 4 to 5 ounces. My "advisors" started me off with a Pinot Noir from Pepperwood Grove, I am now working on a Jacob's Creek Shiraz, and have a bottle of Bogle Petite Sirah waiting in the wings. I definitely prefer a dry wine to a sweet wine and, quite honestly, am enjoying the experience. I know absolutely nothing about wine, other than from tours taken many years ago of wineries in New York's Finger Lakes region.

Any other "vinos" out there? I am open to suggestions and would like to learn a bit more about this.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Red is my favorite by far. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are probably my two favorites. Bottles can range from under $10 to over $1000 lol.

Here's a list of reds that won't break the bank.

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/best-15-dollar-and-under-red-wines

I joined a local wine club and pay $18/month which gets me any bottle off their list each month.

[theorangeguy]

Gabbiano brand is a favorite of mine. It isnt crazy expensive either.

[SiggyZ]

I'm a big fan of reds too and would say my favorites are Pinots and Merlots.

[pajeff02]

I haven't tried the Merlots yet, but they are on the list. I have had Cabernets in the past and always thought they were a bit "harsh". Might be I just had the wrong label though.

Good list, Jon!

[67CamaroRSSS]

Ripple...

Night Train...

Boone's Farm...

[SiggyZ]

I haven't tried the Merlots yet, but they are on the list. I have had Cabernets in the past and always thought they were a bit "harsh". Might be I just had the wrong label though.

Good list, Jon!

It's not as easy to drink as, say, a Merlot, but still good. The red wines link below describes it as anywhere from full-bodied to firm and gripping.

The 8 major types of red wines - French Scout

[pajeff02]

Thanks, I just read and bookmarked that page.

[SMWS6TA]

Damn it Jeff this got stuck in my head....

[SiggyZ]

Thanks, I just read and bookmarked that page.

No problem!

[pajeff02]

That's exactly how the thread got titled. Sorry.

I thought of another red I had last Fall at a local winery -- Antler Ridge's Red Vixen is pretty tasty. Sweeter than what I am trying currently, but still good.

[reedld]

Jeff,

Good for you! I have cut out ALL fried foods and limit my intake of red fatty meats. I got my cholesterol down with out the pill! Makes ordering an appetizer almost impossible when eating at a restaurant. Eating more veggies, drinking more water, cutting out soda, fried foods is the way to go...
Why add the wine? I thought you didn't drink? The list that Jon linked to is a great list...my wife likes the Ravenswood zin, Dreaming Tree Crush...as well as the Bogle phantom (limited release). She's a bit of a 'wine snob'. I'm ok with Yellow Tail Shiraz (cheap).

[SiggyZ]

Here's some tasty stuff for you and the better half to share.

[SMWS6TA]

Ya'll a bunch of liars trying to act all sophisticated Here's what's in your wine cellars

[theorangeguy]

Ya'll a bunch of liars trying to act all sophisticated Here's what's in your wine cellars

Notice that I only mentioned one brand lol I'm a bourbon guy...know quite a bit about beer too.

[pajeff02]

Leon: Wine has always kind of interested me... but you are correct in that we "don't drink". Since I am down to a single cup of coffee in the a.m. and water the rest of the time (I do get unsweetened tea at restaurants) I wanted something in my day with flavor. There are also the alleged health benefits from everything I have read. With my wine intake only being in the 4 to 5 ounce range per evening I really didn't see a down side to trying it. So far, so good.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I just like alcohol, period.

[67CamaroRSSS]

Ya'll a bunch of liars trying to act all sophisticated Here's what's in your wine cellars

I didn't know they made "Mad Dog" 20 20 in so many different flavors...

[0rion]

I didn't know they made "Mad Dog" 20 20 in so many different flavors...

exactly what I was thinking......MD has added flavors in the 30 years since I had it. My first real good drunk I ever had was when I was 13-14 and we all chipped in and bought fifths of MD 20/20. Purple drank. Haven't been that drunk since. I tackled half the neighborhoods mailboxes that night and spent a good portion of the night throwing up that nights dinner. Good times.



my wife is a wine drinker.....she drinks merlot's. I've never had the taste for it. Could be the MD 20/20 experience I had 30 years ago that might have tainted me on wines. It took me 10 years before I could eat grape jelly without gagging after that night.

[KahanaReef]

I didn't know they made "Mad Dog" 20 20 in so many different flavors...

I didn't either. Mad Dog and Boones Farm Strawberry Hill sure remind me of high school days though