I have enjoyed wine for some time now and am thinking of buying a large wine rack (70-100 bottles). Anyone have any suggestions. I have a small room in my basement perfect for storing wine. Also looking for any advice on wines you enjoy under $30 a bottle to stock said rack. Thanks for your advice.

don't buy a large wine rack unless you have a nice temperature controlled area to keep it in. If you do then you're lucky If not, I would look into buying a wine fridge with about a 50 bottle capacity.

Are you looking for wines to lay down 5+ years that will evolve? Reds? Whites? Do you like cab, merlot or pinot? Cal Cabs from 03 and 04 are pretty good, as are Bordeaux from same years. All are available, and can use some aging.

I like collecting "verticals" of the same wine. Different years from the same producer. Its nice to compare different vintages of the same house. I also like buying several of the same wine so I can taste it over time and see how it evolves. For $20-30, there are many awesome wines you can buy that will age well. I'd do some research in the Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate and then find a good quality shop to help you make a selection. Don't fill the entire rack with wine you cannot drink for a few years, otherwise you'll go thirsty.

So many types of wine it's fruitless to make a suggestion without knowing the style you like. If you like big fruity reds, Mollydooker "The Boxer" shiraz from Australia is < $30 and a great wine.

I was lucky to get into wines a few years ago when the 2000 Bordeuxs were released. Utteerly spectacular.

You can often find second-growth Bordeauxs for very little. These are outstanding wines that will age well but are cheap enough that they don't have to be saved for a special occassion. This is a great way to acquaint your palate with the Bordeaux "flavor profile."

I'd also suggest some Spanish reds. Again, inexpensive, but most of them that you find in the shops are ready to drink now.

I'm not an expert by any means, and my taste ranges toward what the sommeliers told me was a "pencil lead" profile, but hope that helps.

I would go with a wine fridge unless you have a cool room or a room that can handle a cooling unit.

I have a 60 bottle wine cellar (right next to the wine cooler I use for my cigars) but it filled up so quickly that i am thinking of converting an understair closet into a cellar that will hold 250 bottles.

I have a room in the basement that will keep between 55 and 65 degrees all year round. I have a wine refrigerator so I am looking for a rack to put in said room for aging some wines.

Right now I have been drinking a lot of white wines. Prolly my favorites are Savignon Blanc's. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

You should drink what you like. But, whites are not usually wines people age for the long term or store. Sav Blancs are mostly for drinking in the here and now. Some Chardonnay can last for awhile (5-10 years), but over-oaked Cal fruit bombs only relax a bit with age. Serious whites for aging are French Burgundies (Chardonnay) and Bordeaux (Sav Blanc/Semillion blends). These can last 10+ years from certain vintages. Good, not great, ones will be in your $30 range. A good white in your range is Conundrum. Its made by Caymus in California and is a blend of Chadonnay, Sav Blanc, Semillion and I think Vignoier. One of my favorites.

When you really get into wine, you will likely get into reds. Most people do. Red grapes often are more robust and lend themselves to more wine crafting techniques. They also last longer. But, drinking what you like is the most important rule.

My father and I make wine here at home and I would recommend mixing things up with perhaps a few oddball pieces. What I mean is wines that contain other fruits other than grapes and/or flowers in them. We've produced dandelion and blueberry before and it was fantastic. Add a few bottles to the rack for a little surprise that's sure to turn some heads.

What does a dandelion wine tast like? How would you describe it other than "tastes like dandelions"? Its a serious question.

quote:

Originally posted by O Man:
What does a dandelion wine tast like? How would you describe it other than "tastes like dandelions"? Its a serious question.

The taste is usually strong and features a great mix of flavors that many have never tasted before. The flavor will actually depend on when the dandelions were picked (time of day, quality of leaves, and progress of the season). There will be a slight hint of flavors of lemon and orange too. During the mid-fermentation process it will have a nutty taste.

quote:

Originally posted by ScottMichael:

quote:

Originally posted by O Man:
What does a dandelion wine tast like? How would you describe it other than "tastes like dandelions"? Its a serious question.

The taste is usually strong and features a great mix of flavors that many have never tasted before. The flavor will actually depend on when the dandelions were picked (time of day, quality of leaves, and progress of the season). There will be a slight hint of flavors of lemon and orange too. During the mid-fermentation process it will have a nutty taste.

Does the wine you make have other fruits in it? I saw some recipes that had rasins, or a base grape wine as part of it, along with citrus fruits.

quote:

Originally posted by O Man:

quote:

Originally posted by ScottMichael:

quote:

Originally posted by O Man:
What does a dandelion wine tast like? How would you describe it other than "tastes like dandelions"? Its a serious question.

The taste is usually strong and features a great mix of flavors that many have never tasted before. The flavor will actually depend on when the dandelions were picked (time of day, quality of leaves, and progress of the season). There will be a slight hint of flavors of lemon and orange too. During the mid-fermentation process it will have a nutty taste.

Does the wine you make have other fruits in it? I saw some recipes that had rasins, or a base grape wine as part of it, along with citrus fruits.

Yes. If a fruit or flower wine is to be pulled off correctly it usually has to have some grape with. But I'm unsure of what particular grapes would be used and in what circumstances. What my father made was a few years ago. I've heard of using rasins but we've never tried it before.

Are you a wine maker O Man?

Not a winemaker, just a mere wine drinker .

I just find it an interesting subject.

I am a fairly novice wine drinker, but my old man is very into it. He prefers good "cheap" bottles and would say that for Cabernet his favorites are Sebastiani, the Sonoma Cab version he gets annually for about $12-$14 per bottle (Usually rated 90-91) and the Alexnader Valley cabs are more like $26-28 per bottle (usually rated 91-93). The only ratings he trusts are Robert Parker and Wine Spectator.

I have tried both with him and they are also my favorite cabs as well.

If you like dry red wine there are plenty of Chiantis or Merlots out there for under 10$ a bottle.

I'm a wine lover as well, i find a good bottle of wine blends well with a cigar, especially a dry wine. Here are some suggestions of bottles under 30$ for your newly installed wine cellar (i'm from Montreal, so the prices are in CDN $):
- Liano Umberto Cesari (Italy), 28$
- Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau (France, Côte-du-Rhône), 23$
- Belleruche (France, Côte-du-Rhône), 16$
- Brolio Chianti (Italy), 23$
- Cent'Are Duca di Castelmonte sicilia (Italy), 14$
- Château Pesquié Les Hauts du Parandier côtes-du-ventoux (France), 15$
- Château Pey La Tour Réserve du Château bordeaux supérieur (France), 21$
- Dignus Pinca Paso de la Reina navarra (Spain), 17$
- Ruffino Ducale Riserva (Italy, Chianti), 24$
- Sella & Mosca Riserva cannonau-di-sardegna (Italy), 16$
Enjoy! Cheers,