How about a stop at Harbor View, my dear wife Karen suggested while we were plotting out trip to see the weekly movie.
Our favorite wine store. She expanded her reasoning.
I’d declared that I’d liked my glass of Barefoot brand Merlot on our visit with SUNY Morrisville journalism alumni and friends to celebrate the retirement of professor Brian McDowell a couple of weeks ago. Nance had told us how Barefoot was a go-to at her house, Merlot in particular, and it’s priced reasonably. Karen had sipped and also liked.
We ended up with a big bottle. Pretty! A little more than 10 bucks was the price. And it was sitting next to their Cabernet Sauvignon, the variety I’ve been drinking since our trip to wine country a year ago that’s gotten me onto the grape.
She put that into our cart, too, so we may compare Barefoot to our stash of Dark Horse.
We opened the Merlot Saturday night. Yes.
If you’re a wine lover, please feel free to simply explain the differences between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. And, what makes different brands distinguish themselves in the wine world? What wine do you order, and why?
Cheers, Mark! Bottoms up! 😉
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Cheers, tequilla loving Rachel, who’s bottom is … I’ll stop. 😉
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Mark, if you like the dry California reds, do yourself a favor and buy a bottle of Apothic Red Blend (if you haven’t already tried it). It has a great taste and it’s under 15 bucks.
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Thanks, Francis! I’ll take a look for it at Harbor View the next time MDW Karen and I stop there. Good to see you here, my Syracuse photo-taking and writing colleague. 🙂
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I like Barefoot brand and Felicia likes Yellow Tail for reasonable prices, Mark. I like to try new flavors and like a sweeter wine. If I am drinking with a meal, I don’t need it to be sweet. Italian meals taste good with Chianti and Spanish meals taste good with a hearty flavored red. My mom loves Sangria and Lambrusco. I see the new Smirnoff’s summer wines which are really fruity and the citrus one with grapefruit is calling my name, Mark!
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Enjoy all the summer wines this weekend, Robin, for the holiday. Answer the call to the one whispering your name! 😉
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Oh my, you had me at hello! …I enjoy many different kinds and types of wine. The grape is what makes the wine along with the wine maker. But the weather is what makes the grapes different! (Grapes from a region of the Great Lakes are quite different then from California wines etc.)
Cab Suav I feel has more body…more bones! Merlot is a bit lighter. Some wines are full of tannins… some people like that…I on the other hand want a full body wine with out the tannins and they are out there!
I tend to drink a wine according to the food I am eating and I also enjoy a cold white wine in the summer. A buttery Chardonnay and I can go hand in hand all year and with any type of food I eat!
I am not big on sweet wines… however in the area of the Great Lakes and Canada there are fabulous ice wines along the great lakes. Google ice wine and you shall see why they can be quite divine!
A port… only if it is a good port … is fabulous! I had a spectacular one at a wine tasting here in AZ. The grapes were grown in Wilcox, AZ. The port had a hint of chocolate. Oh my, it was delicious!
I will not spend and arm and a leg on wine either. There are plenty of fabulous wines that are quite fabulous! So… there you have it… I enjoy wine!
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You can teach me about wine any day, Nancy. I can feel your passion for the subject. I think the four of us should go on a wine country sampling tour. How great would that be?
https://markbialczak.com/2014/04/13/start-wining-or-how-to-spend-a-sunny-spring-saturday/
Someday, hey?
If you mention “hint of chocolate” in the port to my dear wife Karen, you’ll have her for that one.
Thank you for the education. I want to learn more and more, Nancy. I like your attitude about breadth and price as well. 🙂
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Here! Here! If we are in the area… this could happen. Dear wife Karen and Sweet, sweet man and us will have a fabulous time!
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Memories will be made if this plays out, Nancy. 🙂
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Barefoot is a good brand, I am not too fussy but I try to remember that I like Pinot Grigio, Any kind of Zinfadel and my new favorite is Malbec. Correct my spelling on any of them! A toast to your post, Mark! 🙂
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I toast to you on general principal, Ermine! 🙂
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I do not have time for wine talk right now Marky-Mark – but while I do not care for this brand, I have a friend who loves it – and I think it just goes to show ya that we all have different likes…
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I know you already have plans for educating me in this field, Y! 🙂
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well not too much – I promise – and oh Mark – if I could only remember half of what I learned from the 1990’s – I attended many wine tastings and trainings in the restaurant industry – and then coordinated some when I was in management – and it seems I have a sharp memory for some things – but not so much the others – but I do know a tad bit about Italian wines – which started because Trader Joe’s carries some amazing 5 and 10 dollar bottles of reds from Italy – whew – so good.
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And not here in New York state, Y. Every other stinkin’ Trader Joe’s but not ours. Dagnabbit!!
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really – that stinks!
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I like a nice Australian Shiraz Mark, it tastes fruity, but not too sweet and goes well with dark chocolate and strawberries and cheese. 😀
Diana xo
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That sounds pretty marvelous, Diana, and something that MDW Karen would love just as you described, my friend. ❤
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It is. I let the chocolate melt in my mouth, wash it down with a sip of wine, snack on strawberries and cheese and repeat… 🙂
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What are you trying to do here, Diana? And you did it! 🙂
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haha nothing – I wish had wine and chocolate and strawberries and cheese though! 😀
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Me, too!
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I like Barefoot but I’m more of a white dry white wine drinker. Mr. Gibber is all about red. 🙂
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I have to side with Mr. Gibber on the red Gibberina!
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Aha! Okay I’ll let you off the hook this time. 😉
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I’m not a barefoot fan, though I’ve never tried the merlot. I think you’ll like the 19 Crimes red blend. I also like The Dreaming Tree Crush. Dang, now I’m thirsty.
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Ha! It’s wine time, my dear Hollie. 🙂
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Not a wine drinker. But I like the bottles. 😀
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I too love the bottles, MBC! 🙂
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😀 Funny….we are trying to figure out what to do with our cabin/back yard and I was wondering if I should incorporate some kind of bottle something or other. Amazing how I always manage to stray completely off of your post topic MBM……
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And I never care at all, MBC. A bottle theme would be awesome!
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At least some kind of component, to add color and to recycle. 🙂
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Yes, that would be pretty nice, MBC. 🙂
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I like a nice Riesling in summer and a red wine Menage a Trois that we buy at Costco. It’s a blend and less tannic than a straight-up Cab which is a little heavy.
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Sounds good, Barbara. I hear Costco is a big wine seller. 🙂 But not in New York state.
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Really? Oh wow. Wine sales are huge for them elsewhere – it was even written up in the Wall St. Journal as they traveled along with the wine buyers. How interesting. I wonder why NY won’t allow it?
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I don’t know why. Trader’s Joe’s can’t, either, Barbara, and loads of people were telling me on my post whey they opened to buy this wine or that wine!
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You know I’m a beer gal, BUT I give Barefoot wine as gifts for anything baby; announcements, showers, birth, etc. 😀
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Good call, Angie McFly!
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The label looks like a newborn footprint to me. I love babies ❤
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You do? I wouldn’t have guess. 🙂
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😀 ❤
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My preference at the moment, Mark, is for a Shiraz. I tend to go for your actual French wines, though not exclusively and enjoy exploring wines from different regions. I don’t have a favourite that I stick with. I have tried Barefoot but can’t recall which, probably the Cabernet. As you can tell, I’m not what you could call a connoisseur – as long as it’s red and full-bodied, that will do me.
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I am for the red and full-bodied, also, as a newbie, Roy. We have quite a vibrant grape-growing region here, with many vineyards clumped along the Finger Lakes. My dear wife Karen and I got started a year ago on a bus tour of a half-dozen of them, sampling with 20 or so friends. I think you’d like the wineries and the wine sampling experience with us!
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I think I would!
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I have no idea what the differences are between wines, but I do know…I enjoy drinking it, especially on a sunny summers evening! 🙂
I hope all is well with you, Mark.
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Yes, Amanda, summer is coming and I have wine in a bottle. 😉 I hope all is well with you, too, dear friend. ❤
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I would have to defer all wine questions to the blog of the Wine Wankers. I’ve had Barefoot but never enjoyed it that much. They sell it all the Walgreen’s though, so they’re making money hand over fist–or foot. I should have bought stock in them.
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Yes, you should have, Kerbey. Money-making is good for the sole. Soul.
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I’ve had Barefoot. It’s great. Can’t tell you a thing about wine other than I like it. 😀
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That’s good enough for me, Tess. 🙂
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😀 😀 😀
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I’m quite picky when it comes to wine, and I navigate by instinct. When I find something I like, I buy a case and stock up my wine cellar – which never seems to stay stocked for long.
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Sounds good, Jay. If you like it, you drink it! The pleasures of discover. 🙂
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I don’t know the difference between the two wines Mr. B, but I’ll have a glass, please. I know I don’t like super sweet wines (except for sangria) but I am not very picky on the brand. I do like being barefoot though. 🙂
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There you go, Mrs. B. Wine, yes. Interesting that you like sweet sangria, only. 😉
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Yes it is. I can’t do any Riesling or sweet white. I guess sangria tops all for me. 🙂
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It’s fruity while sweet white is just … sweet.
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I used to drink wine. Often. Now it just gives me a headache and makes me fall asleep at the table. sigh…☺ Van
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Falling asleep at the table is not recommended, Van. Unless you have the most comfortable table …
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Is it true that more expensive wines don’t cause headaches? Beer please!
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Didn’t find that one to be true, Angie. I’ll stick to a beer, myself.
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Beer gals unite 😀
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I’d say 80 percent of the time my dear wife Karen is with you beer gals, Angie McFly.
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Tell Karen that she’s in. All we need is a secret handshake 😀
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I can picture you guys with the handshake. That would make my night, Angie McFly. 😉
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mark – summer – what is that?
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No, Rachel? Ugh.
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i think i’ve heard of it – we had hail and thunder here today 🙂
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We had hail and thunder here last night! 😦
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I like Barefoot’s Moscato.
Actually, now that I think about it, all the whites I’ve had by Barefoot are quite nice.
In terms of Merlot vs Sauvignon, Sauvignon is stronger, more tannic, needs to breathe. It pairs well with richer meals, and in cooking richer meals as well. It’s a more serious, hearty wine and Merlot is lighter, more fit for folly, pleasant as soon as you open it.
The grapes may or may not be the same, may or may not be grown in the same region, but they’re both considered Bordeaux.
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Thank you, Joey! I am more educated in my wine drinking because of you. I appreciate it very much.
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Sure thing. I’m no sommelier, but my friend was, and I accidentally learned quite a bit from her.
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I love how that works, Joey. Live with the right friends and learn.
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I drink whichever wine my wife buys. But I’d rather have a beer.
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Me until a year ago, Scott, except I would complain about drinking it. Go figure.
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I’m with Scott 😀
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I know you like your beer, Angie McFly. It may be the meds my doc changed me to, but I’m going with the wine flow. 🙂
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I do like red wine. With Italian food. With chocolate 😀
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With air, these days, for me. Hahaha, Angie McFly.
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i will drink any wine Mark – i’m not fussy – Ha! or I have no taste. If given a choice I prefer a dry white wine. I know a few label names but very few. It is not a subject that I have devoted much time to. Of course, like yourself, in earlier years i was so busy that there wasn’t time.
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I was so busy drinking beer that there was no time, Paul, in the very early years. Ba-da-bing. 🙂
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:thumbs: :beer:
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i’m a wine lover by instinct, and could not explain the nuances of any wine, other than it tastes good. even after all of my wine training over the years as a server, bartender, caterer ) happy summer )
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Sometimes it’s better just to know what you know by instinct, Beth. 🙂 Happy summer. ❤
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Mark, I share your taste for the Barefoot brand of wines. Despite the health benefits of drinking the red wines, for better or worse, I prefer the sweeter varieties. Used to drink the sweeter reislings until a friend turned me on to Barefoot Moscato. I now have a new favorite wine! Regardless, hope you and Karen enjoy your wine tasting experiment.
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Thanks, Mark! I have to stay away from the sweeter varieties, health-wise. Fortunately, it’s been so many years that my tastes have evolved that way, too. So I live the reds better anyway. Barefoot is really nice. I’m looking forward to trying the Cab Sav, too.
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Speaking of summer, Mark, when are you making your summer jaunt to the Cape? And I don’t drink (wine).
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Soon, Ann, in June. Do I have your email? Mine is markbialczak@gmail.com if you could drop me yours.
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