Recommendations

[Richard38]

I am looking for a wine for a special friend. Something to relax in the tub with. She is a novice.

[wineguruchgo]

Well that's an open ended question. Do you know what your friend likes?

My first thought is a nice bubbly. You can get some great deals out of Spain called Cava. The most widely known is Frexinet. The one in the black bottle.

Do you know if you want red, white or bubbly? A little more information would help.

[Richard38]

A bubbly sounds fine. White would be my second choice.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Richard and welcome to the Wine Board. Then go with Cava, the Extra Dry is actually slightly off dry; or a Prosecco. For a white look for Georges DuBoefuf, Vin de Pays, Viognier; ice cold.

[jasmudger]

Good choices, Cava is up and coming as a champagne altenative and pretty much sexy for any occasion. BE careful when chilling whites - overchill and you kill! The fruit will begin to disappear and the wine will lose its appeal (see http://www.beekmanwine.com/faqs.htm#temp which is directly taken from Jancis Robinson) also see http://www.newcastle-wine.co.uk/about.html SECTION SERVING WINE.

Sorry... went on a bit there... VIOGNIER is a great choice, one the most fashionable varieities banging around (try Cazel Viel Grande Reserve)

regards Jimmy

[Kcwhippet]

You don't have to go to Beekman or Newcastle to get that advice. It's been dispensed here minny, minny times (just thought I'd try a bit of WW spelling).

[barnesy]

Segura Viudas is another fine Cava that you can readily find for under 10 bucks and is one of those great bang for your buck wines.

Barnesy

[stevebody]

Let me throw in with IK and second the Prosecco. Nothing at all against Cavas! I dearly love the Torre Oria Brut Natural and that little cheap gem, the Freixenet Carta Nevada; for my $$ one of the two or three best $5 bottles going. But, if she has a good palate for other things - food, chocolate, etc. - try her on a solid Prosecco like the Mionetto Legatura or their FABULOUS Sergio, one of the most graceful sub$20 bubblies I've ever tasted. It's delicate, balanced, and graceful and I've never poured it for anybody who didn't fall in love with it. The Zardetto is good, too, and a steal at $8.

Another frequently overlooked selection is the Oregon winery St. Innocent, which makes a delicious Brut de Noirs for about $14. GREAT stuff! And don't forget nearly everybody's fave oddball wine (for its origin, not its flavors) The wonderful Gruet Brut and Blanc de Noirs from New Mexico. About $14 and WORTH A LOT MORE.