# SDMB Wine Club -- Week Seven: The Imbibing **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** wine\ **Created:** [March 30, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123 "2007-03-30T15:53:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/1 "2007-03-30T15:53:09Z")
Hello, wine affecianados! This week we welcome three new members (“new” in the sense of “I haven’t noticed them posting before and can’t be arsed to review every old wine thread and check”). They are: _:: drum roll ::_ **Christopher** , **Flickster** , and **Swallowed My Cellphone**! _:: appropriately tepid, tasteful wine-snooty round of applause ::_ Welcome. Wine bar to the left, humidor room to the right, vineyards through the French doors at the back, past the fireplace and the baby grand piano. This week’s sommelier is . . . **longhair75**. For those unfamiliar with the drill, **longhair** will choose and post a wine before next Thursday, and we will all purchase it. Next Thursday or anytime in the week thereafter, we will taste and post our comments. Also welcome are general comments and questions on wine, wine tasting, and discussions of other wines we have loved, hated, or want to hear more about. New posters/tasters are always welcome. Each week’s thread links to the previous one. Last week’s thread is [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=412664) Let us have it, friend **longhair**! ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/2 "2007-03-30T21:14:38Z")
Awww, thank you. I’ve been here, but on account of my having not found a store to purchase all of the required wines I’ve been absent for a while. In fact, I think the only one I participated in was the Rancho Zabaco, and that has since become my favorite non-local wine. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/3 "2007-03-31T02:20:09Z")
Thank you, friend Jodi I have enjoyed trying all of the wines selected so far, I hope my selection pleases you all. I am very fond of Spanish reds, and my favorite is a Crianza from the Marques de Caceres. The particular vintage I have on the table beside me is a 2002. I have tried various years though, and they are pretty consistant. I am pretty sure that friend Silenus will like this wine, and also sure that friend OpalCat will not. It is a rather bold red. I bought six bottles of this wine tonight at World Market for $12.99 (us) each. I am pretty sure it is widely available. I can even find it at most grocery stores in my area. I hope you all enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/4 "2007-03-31T02:47:21Z")
:: Waves from the corner while drinking some Canadian plonk :: It had a pretty label. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/5 "2007-03-31T03:25:16Z")
I think I have that one in the cabinet! Yep. I’ll wait until next Thursday or so to post an evaluation, but I do like this wine. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/6 "2007-03-31T04:07:47Z")
Are the Crianza and the Rioja similar/same? I’m looking at Spec’s inventory online and they list the MARQUES DE CACERES RIOJA RED 2004 but not a Crianza. Other in stock options include: MARQUES DE CACERES BLANCO MARQUES DE CACERES GRAN RESERVA MARQUES DE CACERES RESERVA ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/7 "2007-03-31T04:10:56Z")
“Crianza” just means “aged at least two years,” so I am assuming **longhair** is drinking a Rioja. I hope so…that’s a good wine. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/8 "2007-03-31T12:58:50Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] “Crianza” just means “aged at least two years,” so I am assuming **longhair** is drinking a Rioja. I hope so…that’s a good wine. [/QUOTE] I am sorry I missed the terminology. Yes, the wine I am drinking is a Rioja. from the back of the bottle: > [@](#): > > This rich, full bodied wine is made only in excellent vintages from hand-picked Tempranillo,Garnacha and Graciano grapes grown in Rioja Alta. Aged in French and American oak casks. Marques de Caceres Red Crianza has spicey aromas, berry fruit flavors and a velvety finish. Open preferably one hour before serving with hearty dishes, roasts, grilled meats or tapas. ---
**Author:** ![Ass\_For\_A\_Hat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Ass\_For\_A\_Hat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ass_For_A_Hat)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/9 "2007-03-31T18:07:36Z")
I’m looking forward to this one. I was on a big Rioja kick a few years back. I got a little burned out on it though, and haven’t had any in quite some time. This will be a nice refresher. There are three basic categories of Rioja, in ascending order of “quality”…_crianza_, _reserva_ and _gran reserva_. There are a couple other designations, _vinos joven_ and _sin crianza_, but these tend to be lower quality wines and are usually not exported. Also, since I have the wine book open, the two main grapes in Rioja are Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/10 "2007-03-31T18:32:48Z")
Thanks much for the additional Rioja information. I have yet to try any of these so I’m looking forward to getting introduced 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/11 "2007-03-31T19:28:16Z")
Hey, I really like Riojas! I’ve mostly had the mainly-Tempranillo ones. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2007, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/12 "2007-04-01T00:06:55Z")
Picked up a bottle of the 2003 vintage this afternoon ($9.83) and Judy & I shared it with dinner. I’m sorry to say I’m down to the last glass. My first venture with Rioja will not be my last. Smooth with an earthy tone and a hint of berries. At this price and easy availability, this will become another of our daily alternatives (at this rate I’ll need to expand my rack space 😛 ) Another good sign - the Mrs just asked if I only picked up one bottle 🆒 Never fear, I think one of my Tempranillo bottles will blend well ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/13 "2007-04-02T20:37:19Z")
The following statement does not reflect poorly on the Rioja… LOL - the Mrs brought up her open a 2nd bottle request this morning and asked me not to let her talk me into that again But ALL her friends and our kids enjoyed the phone conversations Saturday night 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/14 "2007-04-02T23:52:28Z")
I just opened a bottle of the 2003. ::swirl swirl swirl snif snif:: smells like a red wine ::sip sip swish swish swish:: Is that a woody taste I get? Maybe that’s what you guys mean by earthy. It’s a good wine. Not as acid as the last. Still on the dry side. There’s some flavor towards the back of my throat i can’t put my finger on. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/15 "2007-04-03T02:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] There’s some flavor towards the back of my throat i can’t put my finger on. [/QUOTE] May I recommend against trying too hard, lest you invoke the gag reflex? ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2007, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/16 "2007-04-03T03:04:23Z")
After a few more bottles perhaps I’ll give it a go. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/17 "2007-04-06T02:53:49Z")
Along with dicussing our selections, should we also give a heads up when we sample something that we feel is less than desirable? YMMV Vampire Pinot Noir from Romania - Bottle caught my eye while browsing If the same should happen to you, I would recommend fighting off the urge by making a different selection. It wasn’t “find the nearest sink” bad - just wasn’t anything there to ever get me to consider purchasing another bottle. again, YMMV I would have much rather had another bottle of the Rioja 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2007, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/18 "2007-04-08T01:12:56Z")
Just opened a bottle of the 2002 to have with dinner (spaghetti and meatballs). Ah, yes. It’s just like I remembered. Berries and spice and dry and yummy. This is a wonderful wine to have with food, especially ones with tomatoes in them. I’ve had this wine several times over the last few years, and it has been very consistant. Definitely one to have in the rack. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/19 "2007-04-13T00:35:51Z")
Question: How much time do we get to buy and taste the wine? (Been exceptionally busy, we haven’t been able to get to the wine store. Really, THAT busy!) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123/20 "2007-04-13T00:41:36Z")
Generally you get a week’s notice of the wine chosen, then a week to taste and post. New wines every 2 weeks, in other words. But you can always go back to a previous thread if you have just found that particular wine. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-wine-club-week-seven-the-imbibing/398123.md?page=2)