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icegurl · 09-21-2001, 01:27 PM,

Hello all

I'm a novice in the wine tasting business. My dad's pretty knowledgable in this subject, and takes great pride in his wine section of his liquor store. At first, I thought wine tasted really bad... very bitter and woody, and I wondered why people drank this stuff! But the more my dad tried different wines here and there, and the more I kept taking sips from his glass, frowning each time, I have learned to actually appreciate the taste of wines! I'm now at a point where I'm incredibly fascinated by the whole thing, and I want to know all there is to know! I just barely started, and after much research, I've learned a bit... but the information seems endless! How long did it take most of you "connoiseurs" to know all there is to know about wines?

Innkeeper · 09-21-2001, 01:36 PM,

Hi Icegurl, and welcome to the Wine Board. Like any other endeavor in life, the more you learn about wine, the more you realize you don't know. Researching topics of you choosing on this board will help you. Good books also help. "Wine For Dummies" is avaiable everywhere, and gives you a big jump start on what you want to learn. After that, you should examine various regions one at a time, tasting as well as reading your way through each.

Thomas · 09-21-2001, 02:40 PM,

icegurl, I have been in the wine business for about seventeen years, and I have been studying (and drinking) wine for about thirty years. One day I might know all there is to know about wine, but until then, I'll have to keep learning.

cpurvis · 09-21-2001, 03:05 PM,

icegurl, sounds like you've got a good place to learn! As for the education, I'm 12 yrs. in & jus' gettin' started...my MBA program was much easier, & much less enjoyable [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img] cp

hotwine · 09-21-2001, 04:26 PM,

I've been enjoying the stuff since 1962. Still learning every day.

winoweenie · 09-21-2001, 05:21 PM,

Icegurl, Welcome to the board and we bof took spellin' frum the same teecher. No-one ever knows all there is about wine. Every vintage, Every Varietal, Every country yaddayaddayadda change with every bottling. Just be glad you've discovered the pleasures of the grape. Read lots, drink lots, and most of all remember, file, and sort. Soon the foundation of YOUR wine knowledge will take shape and you can say " Giime A @#$%_*&^$(fill in name.)" Welcome to the wonderful world.....it be a ball. WW

Drew · 09-21-2001, 05:38 PM,

Like Schultz sez...I know nothing....NOTHING!!!

Drew

icegurl · 09-21-2001, 05:43 PM,

Did I misspell a lot of words? Haha... it's only been 3 years since I last went to school...and I'm already showing signs of not being a school nerd??

Wow... I can't believe most of you have been in this wine business for over 10 years! Sheesh... I've got a long road ahead of me, huh? But I know I'll enjoy it, so I don't mind! Thanks all for such a warm welcome! I'm going to be buggin' all of ya with a lot of questions! =)

chittychattykathy · 09-22-2001, 12:56 AM,

Happy to say that I'm a youngin', only a few years experince. But all filled with lots of travel, asking questions, reading and tasting! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

~~Bucko~~ · 09-22-2001, 08:23 AM,

I know it all -- just ask me.... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

Anyone who says they know everything about wine is someone to avoid, just like a doctor who will not admit he/she doesn't know something.

Keep an open mind, keep learning, it is a fun journey.

freeds · 09-27-2001, 06:23 PM,

My husband and I are just getting into wine this year. We found a web site that is Pennsylvania wineries. This is the coolest sport I have ever taken up. We visit wineries almost every weekend and see a concert or participate in a wine stomp or tour the grounds and do a wine tasting and just chill and enjoy. I love it !! Can't wait to see what the winter brings.

[This message has been edited by freeds (edited 09-27-2001).]

Innkeeper · 09-27-2001, 06:41 PM,

Hi Freeds. Use that site all the time. It got us to the Mushroom Soup & Wine Festival in Kennett Square on September 9. Hope you were there. It was wonderful, and we'll be going back next year.

globalmermaid · 09-28-2001, 06:02 PM,

Thanks to everyone who replied to my few days in Napa; searching for the smaller wineries,Off the beaten commercially popular path.

I will give feedback when I return.

Thanks again,

If anyone has more suggestions, i'd appreciate it!!!

~~Bucko~~ · 09-28-2001, 09:25 PM,

We look forward to your notes.....

lizardbrains · 09-29-2001, 08:58 AM,

Freeds,
Do you know how I can find out about those type of wine festivities in my area? Sounds like just the fun I've been looking for!!!

mrdutton · 09-29-2001, 09:55 AM,

Freeds, IK - don't keep the web site of Pennsylvania Winerys a secret! Please divulge the address.

Innkeeper · 09-29-2001, 11:31 AM,

http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/sites/pawine/home.asp

mrdutton · 09-29-2001, 09:37 PM,

Thanks! I'll visit as soon as I can. Gotta love them mushrooms. But can that soft, loamy soil do grapes justice? Gotta wonder about that.....

Maybe there is some chalky soil out towards Pittsburgh???

winecollector · 09-30-2001, 07:11 PM,

No chalky soil here.... just clay, clay, and more clay....

Innkeeper · 10-01-2001, 08:38 AM,

The only PA winery we have been inside of, is Nissley. It is about 30 miles northwest of Lancaster, in the hills above the fertile valley that consititutes most of Lancaster County. The dirt is what MrD and WC have described, chalky clay. There are fields of corn and soy beans growing alongside the vineyards.

Nissley has been in business for 20 years and has had an opportunity to experiment with a great variety of grapes. Interestingly enough, the currently bottle only one varietal wine, cabernet franc. They say they have tried others including riesling, with no success. So, most of their wine is made from French/American and American hybrids or blends from them. The cab franc was thin, as has been the case in most '98 & '99 PA Cab Franc due to the climate in those years. Regardless, we enjoyed many of their wines, and brought some home with us.

Jump to the Mushroom Soup & Wine Fest. Wineries their from all over the state tended to have the word "mountain" in the name of their wineries and/or wines. This may be the key. South facing slopes were also quite common. None we talked to could understand why Nissley had such bad luck with varietals. Most of them grew more varietals than others, although such grapes as chambourcin and vidal and seval blancs were in ample evidence.

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