How adventurous is your palate?

[Bob_Wood]

@Jim Cowan

@LMD Ermitaño

A few years ago, however, I made it a point to explore South American, Australian and South African wines, but found nothing that suited my taste, so I just pretty much stuck to the first mentioned

In the “that was then, this is now” category, you might want to try again. I have had sime very surprising South American wines lately.
Best, Jim

Absolutely. I’ve had some Argentine malbecs that were, while hardly Lafite or Mouton, still excellent and very reasonably priced. I’ve also had some excellent values from Chile including, believe it or not, chardonnay and syrah.

[Dick_Krueger]

Over the years we’ve tried nearly every variety of wine available. Many we’ve liked, some we haven’t (Pinotage comes to mind). A lot (Aglianico, Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola, etc.) taste a lot better with some age rather than really young. In fact I like very few wines young, but most are good with some age.

[Ben_Sherwin]

2008 was the year of the adventurous palate for me. I threw down all prejudices and tried wines I had never even heard of. While I’m no Florida Jim, I’d say that my palate is better and I have a better appreciation for wine generally. Some real finds. If you had told me a couple of years ago that I’d love Beaujolais and Chinon, I’d probably have punched you in the jaw. Now, I’m pretty lucky because I work near Chambers St. and live near West Side Wine.

I’d certainly urge everyone to get out of their comfort zone.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Ian Dorin

Too adventurous. I try everything, and this goes beyond varietal.
How many have tried Charles Shaw? [suicide.gif]

I would take it a step further too, I would venture in to the food realm as well. I am part Andrew Zimmern, I will eat just about anything.

Issue isn’t trying the wines so much, but the cap on quality for the variety. The argument has been presented how good is the best Moscato d’asti, and can it be a 100 point wine? Anyone afraid to try a wine is a puss (suffice to say that the wine isn’t corked or spoiled b/c of heat or something like that), but that’s just my opinion. It’s food where you are allowed to wuss out.

I think these are some of the best wines to try … not drink, of course, but try.

[Steve_Saxon]

Very adventurous…Last night I drank a Sémillon from California.

[Cris_Whetstone]

@Steve Saxon

Very adventurous…Last night I drank a Sémillon from California.

Kalin? Those can be terrific but I’ve had some bottle variation.

[Mark.Ricca]

It’s really never been an issue for me. I’ve always been willing to try anything at least once (where there’s no cost involved), and even where there is some $$$ involved.

Being ITB retail, for me the challenge and the buzz is when I am so over the top enthusiastic about something offbeat that a customer steps into unknown territory and tries it.

[Loren_Sonkin]

I like to try as many different wines as I can. I agree with Jim on the retailer. I get a mixed case from Chambers St. and also Wine Expo usually once a shipping season. I also like to fill in orders from other retailers with oddball wines. When i order from , say Ian at WL, I might be after a particular bottle but then I search the off regions of Italy and France to round out the Order.

[John_Liotta]

I am always trying new stuff. But it doesn’t mean I will add it to my regular rotation. Of course my regular rotation is loaded with all kinds of variety.

[Peter_C]

@jeffmazen

This came up at a dinner party Monday night. I brought along some samples sent to me by Italian producers on which I wanted friend’s opinions. One was a Piedirosso and the other Aglianico. All at the table asked for a reference point which I couldn’t provide. They hadn’t tried any examples of either but liked the Aglianico.

I got to thinking and wondering how often any of you tries something totally new.

I like to experiment with new wines all the time. Recently drank a range of Vin Jaunes and an 83 Mondavi Botrytised Sav Blanc!

[Ian_Dorin]

@Brian Grafstrom

I think these are some of the best wines to try … not drink, of course, but try.

Glad you qualified that.

Going back to Jeff’s original point, today alone I tried a Rondinella Bianco (no, that’s not a typo) that also had Kerner, Traminer and some other bizarre variety in it. Messed up stuff to say the least.

I venture off the beaten path all the time, I got my staff to try a 100% Savignin (that was essentially immature Vin Jaune), as well as straight Trousseau and Poulsard. I got a lot of “what the hell, you don’t like me anymore?” comments, but at least they tried some funky stuff that they won’t experience elsewhere.

[Shawnda_H]

I’m adventurous but a few things frighten me. For example, the mere thought of retsina mortifies me!

[mike_pobega]

I must try other wines before I die.

[jeffmazen]

Ok here’s another new one by me.

50% Biancolella
40% Biancazita
10% Pepella

And 100% delicious! A white wine from near Salerno.

[Jim_Cowan]

@jeffmazen

Ok here’s another new one by me.

50% Biancolella
40% Biancazita
10% Pepella

And 100% delicious! A white wine from near Salerno.

You hooked me; what is it?
I never heard of those grapes.
Best, Jim

[jeffmazen]

It’s from Azienda which is near Maiori (Amalfi Coast) and those are lesser known local varietals. Everyone seems to make a Fiano, Falanghina, and Greco. This is my first experience with any of these grapes. The wine had a smoky, citrus thing which was very nice. I may get involved with the producer so I’m reluctant to reveal at this time.

[Jorge_Henriquez]

Dammit…thanks for joggin my memory Jeff; was almost forgetting an incredibly delicious white I had the chance to taste almost 2 years ago at a friends place and was finally able to find in the city:

Carricante

In this wine:
An OMFG good wine.

[Mark.Ricca]

@jeffmazen

It’s from Azienda which is near Maiori (Amalfi Coast) and those are lesser known local varietals. Everyone seems to make a Fiano, Falanghina, and Greco. This is my first experience with any of these grapes. The wine had a smoky, citrus thing which was very nice. I may get involved with the producer so I’m reluctant to reveal at this time.

Dude, you’re pretty good.
Did you ever think of doing this for a living?

[jeffmazen]

Think and Living. Neither of those words came to mind.

[Josh_Beck]

I drink more Aglianico than I do Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah, so there

Of course, I drink far more Pinot, Nebbiolo, Grenache and Sangiovese than I do Aglianico!

I think a good way to be adventurous is to drink before opening Garagiste emails…