Oak??

[SusieQ]

I need help in knowing if I like oak in a wine. I tried to find info on the wines that I really like but Parker's doesn't say. Is there a reference on line that tells whether or not a wine has a light or heavy oak "taste" to it? The wines I love are Rhone Valley, esp Beaucastle, St. Jean Cinq Cepage (Sonoma) and also most Shiraz. The wine club I want to order from shows all the levels of oak --- So can anyone tell me if I like it or not?

Thnaks in advance.

[Innkeeper]

You only mention reds on your post. In those it varys brand by brand, wine by wine. My rule with reds is if I find it offensive, I won't buy anymore.

Now whites are much easier to set up a comparisions. Get a bottle of Forest Glen Chardonnay and a bottle of Macon Lugny, "Les Charmes" Chardonnay. You should be able to find them in any supermarket for a total cost of $15 or less. Taste them side by side. You will be amazed.

[wondersofwine]

The red wines you mention certainly saw some time in oak. But whether the vintner uses older oak barrels (that don't impart much tannin or flavor to the wines) or newer oak barrels I don't know. Sometimes the winery web site will say. Just looked up Chateau St. Jean and it says the Cinq Cepages spends two years in small French oak barrels. I would regard that as affirming that yes, you like some oak with your red wines at least.

[Kcwhippet]

SusieQ, Welcome to the Wine Board. I've seen that screen name before on another wine board. Might I ask where you're at, since you didn't fill out a profile?

[SusieQ]

I've never posted on another wine board but had posted on here once before. I live near Calgary Alberta and I am so thrilled that the answers given on here never make us "newbies" feel stupid.

[TheEngineer]

There is a Vanq'er that travels quite a bit from Vancouver to Calgary just for your wine shops. His post listed below and he points out nine really great places to shop for wine in your area.

Hope this helps.

http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum19/HTML/000174.html

[SusieQ]

Thanks for the info. Now I have to try to find that Spanish wine they were talking about!!!

[Capocheny]

SusieQ,

I'm sorry to say that there's only one Province that has has that Spanish wine I was talking about... the 1998 Remirez di Guanza.

The BCLB has now sold out of it... Quebec may have some left.

As an alternative, try the Conde Neo 2001... slightly different than the Remirez but quite tasty as well. Give it another couple of years in the cellar.

Lastly, try the Valsacro Dioro 2001... not as tasty as the Remirez but it's still a nice glass of wine. FWIW... RP gave it 96 points. There's a review of this wine by another poster under Spanish wines forum. IMHO, it needs a bit more cellar time in order to integrate. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

The best way to learn about wines is to taste, taste, taste ... and then taste some more! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

So many wines... so little time!

Cheers

[wineguruchgo]

SuzieQ,

The bad news here is that you are a novice. The good news here is that you are a novice! hehe!

Almost all red wines are aged in oak and unless you have a really refined palate you won't be able to tell if it is "new or old", "French or American". So I really wouldn't worry about it.

As mentioned above, it is with white wines that you will really be able to tell the difference.

So long as you are enjoying what you are drinking, I wouldn't worry about being able to tell the difference.

[SusieQ]

Capo d'capo:

I was able to fine 2 similar wines at Bin 905 that I will try first (because I have already located them!) and then - onto the ones you mention. I found a '99 Remirez de Ganuza Reserva as well as R de G's top wine, the Trasnocho (2001). That is my extravagance for this spring! Hope it is as good as the '98. Thanks.

[Capocheny]

Hi SusieQ,

Good show on finding a 99 Remirez de Guanza... I've not tried this vintage but I'm sure it'll be tasty.

Bin 905 is a nice little shop... I'll be into Calgary in another week and I'm looking forward to stopping in to do some shopping! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Cheers

[SusieQ]

When I went in to pick up the '99, They told me they had a magnum of the '98 so we bought that. Am very excited to try it - maybe next week...

[Capocheny]

Hi SusieQ,

LUCKY you! I wish I would have gotten in there earlier. I hope Brad has another couple of those magnums hanging round.

Crack it with some GOOD friends... they'll be even better friends afterwards! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did... btw, decant it before you drink it, ok?

Cheers