The Battle Between Whites and Reds At F&W..

I am a huge wine person and since working at a restaurant that focused a lot on wine a few years ago, I've become even more intrigued by wines. When it comes to reds, I really enjoy the South/Central American ones the best too. My favorite red at the moment is a Malbec. I believe they actually have a Malbec from Argentina at the Patagonia booth this year, which sounds right up my alley. I will also always go for a Pinot noir or Cabernet, I still generally like to stick with the South/Central American varieties as I like the hints of spice and boldness in those grapes. I did have a Cabernet from France at last years Food and Wine that was really good, but I can't remember the name. I hope its back this year.

When it comes to whites I am a Sauvignon Blanc girl through and through. Doesn't matter where its from I'll probably like it, but I really like the Australian/New Zealand ones. yummm so crisp and refreshing without being overly sweet. This year there's one at New Zealand that I'll probably sample more than once

I generally prefer reds over whites, and I love Australian Shirazes and Argentinian Malbecs. I've also enjoyed California Zinfandel, Italian super-Tuscans, and Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon from pretty much anywhere (so I'll take Bordeaux over Burgundy if I'm drinking French wine). I'm less fond of the less robust reds, but I'll try anything once.

Among whites, I'm especially fond of Riesling, provided it's dry or at most off-dry. Hubby is a big fan of Pinot Grigio, and I like it, also. But again, I'll try just about anything - I once bought four bottles of a magnificent French Chablis that was probably one of the best white wines I've ever had. And I've got a bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (that's the winery from the movie "Bottle Shock") that just needs to mature (we opened a bottle of Cabernet from the same winery that should've been left in the bottle for another couple of years at least, and even young it was the best darned Cabernet I've ever had). I've also had some pretty good Viognier, Gewurztraminer, and Gruner Veltliner among whites.

haha my boyfriend does not enjoy wine... at all. so he totally doesn't get it when I spend 15 minutes in the wine aisle trying to decide what I want that night. He just walks over to the hard stuff

I love wine, but I'm a bubbly girl at heart and Epcot's Food & Wine Festival has some truly fantastic choices.

Italy is home to Rosa Regale, which is a sweet sparkling Brachetto. The second sparkling red that Disney introduced, this one quickly gained a bit of a cult following. Perfect for dessert and absolutely love paired with spicy foods or dark chocolate.

The Champagne and Desserts booth offers a splendid selection of products from Moet & Chandon. I reviewed the booth back in 2012 when they introduced the Ice Imperial. The Rose Imperial is one of my favorites.
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/desserts-champagne-marketplace-booth

When drinking still wine I'm not normally a fan of reds, but I absolutely love Jam Jar, which is a South African Sweet Shiraz. I discovered that one at Animal Kingdom Lodge in the gift shop. I prefer really fruity wines and like old vine Zinfindels with big fruit that aren't too dry. If it's oakey I'm probably not going to like it whether red or white.

My "go to" wine that's always in our fridge is Beringer Vineyards White Zinfindel, kinda boring but a great everyday wine in my budget. I usually love a nice Gewurztraminer too.

I prefer reds myself. I was introduced to Rosa Regale a few years ago when I attended the Italy Food & Pairing. It is one of my favorites.

I prefer ANY wine..... Mostly whites but I do love a good red but only during the cooler months. We did find a red recently and it is PERFECT for the summer. Valpolicella It's light enough that I don't feel overwhelmed by it drinking it during the summer months.

I stick mostly to Pinot Grigio because I think they are more crisp compared to all other whites.

Winter time, give me a good full bodied red. We love Dynamite (California) and Sinister Hand or Sharecroppers (Oregon)

We only drink a little... see attached pic. and it's sideways, maybe I was drinking when I took it.... The hubby added this for me when I moved in. The tops of all my kitchen cabinets are filled with empty bottles too.

And for a little humor, my friend posted this other pic on facebook today. I do work with a Italian who is teaching me currently and I use my accent all the time so this was perfect for my PG love!!!

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I admit I have bought bottles of wine because I liked the label. LOL.

It's usually the ONLY reason I buy a bottle!!!! Sometimes it works out really well!!!

I haven't gone wrong yet.

This is so true about me:

Merlot - You take your steaks still mostly alive (yes, I do)

and:

Shiraz - You think Australians have sexy accents (absolutely).

And the wine rack is awesome.

hahaha the port one on that list made me crack up. That's what I think of anytime someone offers me port.

I LOVE wine, I used to only drink white (moscato, riesling), but I have really gotten into reds lately. I love cab sauv, and I also enjoy pinot noir and zin. This year I am super excited to FINALLY try Dom Perignon at the champagne/desserts booth. I have been dying to try it, but can't see spending so much for a full bottle, so F&W Fest thank you very much! 4 more days!!!

They're selling Dom at the desserts and champagne booth this year?
Where have I been!?!?!?

Yea, I was excited too until I saw the price. I am wondering how much you get.... $32.00 is what it is listed as....

Then you have never had a good Port!

In the past the glasses of champagne from the booth have been a normal 6oz portion, and you can get about 5 glasses from a bottle. That jives with the $32 per glass cost when you consider a bottle costs about $160 depending where you buy it.

The most expensive glass of champagne that I've had to date cost $22 and was the Tattinger Pink! developed for the Disney Cruise Line. It was worth every cent. I would totally pony up the $32 to get a taste of Dom without having to invest in an entire bottle.

The most expensive champagne I ever had was Cristal. One of our New Year's Eve hosts a couple of years ago obtained it from her supervisor at work, I think he bought a case and gave them away as a kind of holiday bonus, and I think individual bottles were selling for around $200 at the time. They shared it amongst the several adults at the party (it was a low-key family affair with kids and adults in attendance), everyone getting more than a sip but less than a full glass.

It was awesome, undoubtedly the best champagne I've ever had. But it was not four or five times better than the stuff I usually buy (California sparkling wine by Gloria Ferrer is my go-to bubbly). So that lesson learned, I won't be ponying up $32 for a glass of Dom Perignon.

I think I will spend the $32 on souvenirs and MORE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to try it, I just can't see myself paying that for it... Who knows, after all the adult beverages on my list, I may throw caution to the wind and go for it!!!