The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England • Hacker News Board

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#11

Post by hammock » Tue, Dec 21, 2021, 10:32 PM UTC

eatYourFood wrote: post #10

poulsbohemian wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in Washington's wine country. A recent quote from a winemaker I spoke with who produces both their own labels and those of other labels: "If consumers would accept them, we'd do everything in screw tops." His reasoning is exactly what you'd expect: cork taint is real, it's difficult to reseal with a cork in the event you don't drink the entire bottle, and if the bottle is going to be cellared for a long time t…

What's wrong with a simple metal wine stopper with rubber to block the neck of the bottle?

What's the benefit of that vs a synthetic cork?

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#12

Post by hammock » Tue, Dec 21, 2021, 10:33 PM UTC

sinbadpalomar wrote: post #2

Having been a wine collector and sometime winemaker I found this fascinating. Claret is truly a cultural force of its own but I'm pleased its power is waning as a tastemaker. (Although less so in the states). If anyone cares for wine advice AMA even though it is all bullshit there still is good and bad wine which is a strange combination.

As far as collectible wines go, do you see Bordeaux's star falling and what is rising in your view?

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#13

Post by eatYourFood » Tue, Dec 21, 2021, 10:54 PM UTC

hammock wrote: post #11

eatYourFood wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's wrong with a simple metal wine stopper with rubber to block the neck of the bottle?

What's the benefit of that vs a synthetic cork?

Probably nothing but most decent French wines use a cork and I use stopper to close it if we're not finishing the bottle. I guess I could buy a fake cork instead but it's pretty much the same at that point.

My point was, it's not hard to seal an opened cork bottle

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#14

Post by arminiusreturns » Tue, Dec 21, 2021, 11:06 PM UTC

sinbadpalomar wrote: post #2

Having been a wine collector and sometime winemaker I found this fascinating. Claret is truly a cultural force of its own but I'm pleased its power is waning as a tastemaker. (Although less so in the states). If anyone cares for wine advice AMA even though it is all bullshit there still is good and bad wine which is a strange combination.

Any tips for enjoying Madeira or info on some quality brands that can be found?

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#15

Post by eadmund » Tue, Dec 21, 2021, 11:07 PM UTC

poulsbohemian wrote: post #5

thom wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thoughts on screwtops?

I live in Washington's wine country. A recent quote from a winemaker I spoke with who produces both their own labels and those of other labels: "If consumers would accept them, we'd do everything in screw tops." His reasoning is exactly what you'd expect: cork taint is real, it's difficult to reseal with a cork in the event you don't drink the entire bottle, and if the bottle is going to be cellared for a long time t…

People keep saying that cork taint is a thing, and it's real — but I have never once had a tainted bottle of wine. Either I have no taste, or … it's not that big of a deal.

> Plus they seem to be aware of the environmental side + cost of using cork.

What's the environmental cost? Cork trees are grown, not wildcrafted. Do they use an absurd amount of water? Do they not provide habitat?

Seems like a plastic cork or a piece of metal is worse environmentally than a bit of bark.

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#16

Post by moehm » Wed, Dec 22, 2021, 4:34 PM UTC

eadmund wrote: post #15

poulsbohemian wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in Washington's wine country. A recent quote from a winemaker I spoke with who produces both their own labels and those of other labels: "If consumers would accept them, we'd do everything in screw tops." His reasoning is exactly what you'd expect: cork taint is real, it's difficult to reseal with a cork in the event you don't drink the entire bottle, and if the bottle is going to be cellared for a long time t…

People keep saying that cork taint is a thing, and it's real — but I have never once had a tainted bottle of wine. Either I have no taste, or … it's not that big of a deal. > Plus they seem to be aware of the environmental side + cost of using cork. What's the environmental cost? Cork trees are grown, not wildcrafted. Do they use an absurd amount of water? Do they not provide habitat? Seems like a plastic cork or a p…

> People keep saying that cork taint is a thing, and it's real — but I have never once had a tainted bottle of wine.

I did. So what does that tell you?

IIRC they say 1% of every natural cork is tainted. I don't know which wines you drink, but lets assume natural cork is for "fine" wine. So you would expect to buy 100 bottles of not-so-cheap wine to have 1 tainted. Again, I don't know which wine you drink or how often, but maybe this puts it in a broader light.

Re: The Politics of Wine in 18th-century England

#17

Post by monetus » Wed, Dec 22, 2021, 6:48 PM UTC

scns wrote: post #8

monetus wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried aldi's $3 wines?

The 3€ Cabernet-Sauvignon from Calfornia is sold for 5€+ in a different bottle at more "upscale" supermarkets. Burlwood IIRC.

Burlwood is here in the appalachian stores too for around $4 or $5 dollars. Winking Owl is the cheapest at $3, and doesn't taste bad, but I haven't tried a huge variety.