[fajimr]

IMHO, most red wines at restaurants are served relatively young and could use decanting and aeration before drinking. 

agreed, nothing worse than having a nice dinner and realize that the last few sips of a wine are the best of the evening.  Have you ever tried to ask them to open a bottle up before you ate?  I thought of it one time when I had a nice bottle that I was bringing to a restaurant... never worked up the gall to (figured I would drop it off then do a few things and come back later).  I always offer the waiter/sommelier a taste of wine, especially when I have a nice bottle.  Wine is meant for sharing and it is always appreciated (even though only about half the time I am taken up on the offer or they come too late  )

I was on an 'essence' tour at mondavi a few years ago and the wonderful guide we had (who was a wine maker herself) suggested that most young wines needed to be open for a long time to aerate, especially if you weren't going to decant them.  She was suggesting something like 5-7 hours for a 2 year old wine if the bottle was left open and not poured.  Since then I do open younger bottles earlier and at least pour some into a glass so that more air can get into the bottle.  It's also fun to putter around making dinner and tasting the wine as it evolves.  If no decanter is available I have been known to pour wine into large (clean) vases, pitchers, and other receptacles...

jim

[gooberdude]

it doesn't take too many experiences like you describe to figure out how crucial decanting is.   

my dad will occasionally open & decant a wine prior to going out for dinner, then pop the cork back in and go.   the 1st time i experienced this i was almost ashamed, his 'out for the evening' wine carrier is one of those rolling backpacks that city folk lug everywhere!

the St. Helena/Napa area has gotta be tops in this regard...i know of a few small restaurants where you can reserve the bottle before you get there and it will have been decanted a few hours already.

man, i'm craving a good Cab right now!

[bubba966]

Any suggestions of wine clubs I can sign her up with?  She loves red wine only.

Give this winery a call http://www.kestrelwines.com/

I forget all of their wine club options, but I think they have a red only program. And their reds are pretty damn good.

[Canyoneagle]

Perhaps another option is to arrange a store credit with a local wine merchant, so she can enjoy the experience of browsing for something she likes, especially with informed guidance from a knowledgeable staff person.

As for the whites, I've always thought that the white Burgundy wines (i.e. Pouilly Fuisse) are excellent for the price.  They've escalated dramatically in the past 10 years or so 

Good luck!

Warmly,
Michael

"Now Drinking" Naked Grape unoaked Shiraz from the Okenagen valley (BC)

[gooberdude]

that's great advice michael,

i had no idea stores would do that.


i'm busting open an '02 Amavi Cab from the Walla Walla valley in Washington State tonight...
No clue if its pricey.  Good stuff though, as good as any of the uber-kinder small batch Cali exotics
if memory serves me.    www.amavicellars.com

[Canyoneagle]

Hey, gooberdude.
It all depends on the shop.
Chances are if it's locally owned, they'd be happy to work such a deal.  Larger chains may do the same (gift certificates, etc) but I prefer to give the individually owned shops my business.
If the shop doesn't offer the deal, a hand-drawn gift cert from the gift giver always works!  It could be a creative experience for all!

Hope the traffic noyz isn't killin your evening in the windy city!   

OK back to the music...........

Warmly,
Michael

[TF1216]

Absolutely wonderful conversation guys.  Thank you!

I will run with the suggestions tomorrow and choose what I think my mother would enjoy most.

[BobM]

Something else that I've found to be growing in popularity over the last several years: Cold Saki

This might be fine if your mother likes sushi and Japanese foods, and there are a wide variety of types and flavors available, but a bit hard to find at the local liquor store/merchant, all in all.

Enjoy,
Bob

[fredgarvin]

I am enjoying the www.4seasonswine.com a mixed case 4 times a year. Each bottle is in the $15 area and are international in origen. The fall case consisted of wines from France, Italy, Australia and California. You should check it out, for sure.