Do you drink wine with your meals?
FR

Translated into English.

AN Annais Veteran ·
Hi,

I don’t know if I should take the risk... People will think it’s fantastic—a cheap wine in a carton like juice... I’m afraid it might create a new trend for cheap wines. There’s gotta be an aftertaste 🤪

See ya,
Anaïs.
AN Annais Veteran ·
Hi Chrousseaud,

You asked how people make their own homemade wine.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list:

http://www.servicevie.com/01Alimentation/Livres/Livre200999/livre200999.html

http://clubvin.net/pages/48alhomepag.html

http://www.quebecplus.ca/portalf/profile.do?profileID=141321

http://www.quebecplus.ca/portalf/profile.do?profileID=141481

Funny, I thought in France you could make your own wine too.

See you soon.
Anaïs.
ML Mldiane57 Veteran ·
Hi! A big thank you for your replies. I’m sharing in this post what one of my contacts from Savoie wrote to me. He lives there.

>> Here, we drink wine midday and evening. I go for old red wine from Corbières (near Perpignan, toward Spain) for myself, and my wife drinks Côtes du Rhône. I pay 1.15 € per liter for mine in bulk and bottle it myself. I also have Bordeaux that costs me 4.84 € a bottle. Seriously, wine at $10 is for rich people—can you imagine? Or just a bottle now and then. For the weekend, I always get a good bottle. Yesterday, it was Morgon 2000, which I buy in bulk from the producer for 4.60 € per liter.>>

If we could buy wine at those prices too, we wouldn’t bother making our own or getting it from vineyards. 😕 On the other hand, even if it’s not a fancy wine, I love the wine my husband makes. It’s smooth and has no aftertaste. Me, even though I only drink wine on weekends, after the second glass... I always start feeling a little dizzy. 🤪 I think it’s because I drink a glass on an empty stomach that makes me lightheaded. 😛 I have one while cooking and another with dinner. And they’re not even big glasses! My body just doesn’t seem to get used to it. 🙁
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
That's funny, I thought in France you could also make your own wine.

I guess it's possible, but it doesn't occur to me since we have such a wide variety of wines available that are produced, aged, and matured by professionals.
AN Annais Veteran ·
Me neither. But some people like it—there’s no accounting for taste. Personally, I only buy wine at restaurants, and then I go for something really expensive. A good wine, if you check the SAQ website, starts at around $30. Having a cellar is a real luxury, and drinking good wine every day is too. My uncle, who has one, has to cut back elsewhere. Not everyone can afford it. At $15, you’re just getting a terrible bottle. At least for $3, you get the pleasure of making your own terrible wine.

Later,
Anaïs.
AN Annais Veteran ·
Hi,

By the way, wine is cheaper in Ontario than in Quebec... So if the SAQ isn’t lining its pockets, I wonder why. Fed up with the government monopoly—they make us pay four times the price of France. And who’s paying for those SAQ Sélect stores? Have you been to the one at Gare Windsor? You’ll cry. The only solution we have as citizens is to buy nothing from the SAQ except wine.

See you,
Anaïs.
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
If I understand correctly, in one of the most liberal countries in the world, the sale of wines and spirits is a state monopoly? It seems to be the same in Scandinavian countries like Norway. There’d be a revolution if they tried that in France.
AN Annais Veteran ·
You can buy wine at the grocery store (in hypermarkets) or at tobacco shops, but you have a very limited selection. It's the SAQ that handles wine and beer sales, sets prices, and regulates the market. The SAQ is talking about banning alcohol sales in tobacco shops and grocery stores to have a complete monopoly.

Recently, the SAQ found itself at the center of a scandal. The SAQ hadn't adjusted prices for 6 months, even though the exchange rate was in our favor... so we should've paid less. They thanked the two vice-presidents. According to the Montreal Economic Institute, the SAQ is lying through its teeth. But SAQ defenders claim that privatization would increase alcoholism cases!
Anaïs.
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
But SAQ defenders claim that privatization would increase alcoholism cases!

It’s the same argument used in Scandinavian countries. The result? Smuggling and binge drinking in neighboring countries—though you don’t have many neighbors to choose from. We’ve also seen what prohibition led to.

If I were Québécois, I couldn’t stand the SAQ.
JO Josaline Regular ·
Hey Annais!

You could always go buy wine in Ontario, but with the cost of gas, I doubt it’d be worth it. Another option might be to call the SAQ customer service at 1-866-873-2020. Complaining a bit about wine prices can’t hurt either.
Si tu ne changes pas tes plumes, tu ne t'envoleras pas!
AN Annais Veteran ·
Hi Josaline,

I doubt complaining would do any good, but the elections are a good opportunity.

But what I’m saying is that with the same currency, it’s weird that wines are cheaper in Ontario.

See you,
Anaïs.
JO Josaline Regular ·
If everyone took the trouble to call and complain, maybe it would make a difference. Wine is cheaper in Ontario because of the taxes.
Si tu ne changes pas tes plumes, tu ne t'envoleras pas!
AN Annais Veteran ·
I remember that a few years ago, the SAQ ran a charm offensive targeting Quebecers and brought in Thierry Lhermitte to say that the SAQ is the best there is.

Another thing that bothers me... Radio-Canada, another Crown corporation, bought the concept for *Tout le monde en parle*. Every episode, a (French) wine is featured. Nothing to support the local market!
Anaïs.
CA Caiphe ·
Ah, wine—the divine creation of Dionysus, who bestowed his gift upon the French. No other country in the world can boast such a wealth of great wines as France. Sure, a good Chianti or Rioja is something special, but if you ever have the privilege and honor (and I don’t use those words lightly) of tasting a Romanée-Conti or an old Sauternes (at least 50 years old), you’ll see the gift that was given to this nation of revolutionary savages. In fact, when it comes to gastronomy, the fairies of the art of living leaned over France during the creation of the world...

Back to your question—yes, I drink wine with meals, but not every day because I tend to overdo it—it’s just too good. Right now, I’ve got a nice little stash of Crozes-Hermitage that’s really worth it.

Allez, in vino veritas.

a+
The Revolution is not a social dinner, a litterary event, a drawing or an embroidery; it cannot be done with elegance and courtesy. The Revolution is an act of violence ...

Mao
CA Canaima Veteran ·
I usually drink wine at dinner. I get tipsy really quickly with just a little, so during the day... I need to stay sharp. But when I prepare something good to eat, I can't imagine it without wine to go with it. I discovered my love for wine—and the differences in flavors between all wines—quite late in life. It's pure bliss, one of the most beautiful things the earth has given us. Food is happiness, and so is wine. I can say I also love drinking foreign wines that have nothing to do with our amazing French wines... but they’re really interesting precisely because their flavors are so different. I admit we’re lucky that wine is so affordable here. Take advantage of it when you visit us!
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
Rabelais wrote: "no noble man ever hates good wine"
AN Annais Veteran ·
Hello Canaima (oh, that beautiful sea... is that where it is?)

Enjoy it when you come visit us.

Oh yes, I’m going to enjoy it!!😎 I had a friend who went to France, she had lots of friends and they all gave her a bottle—lucky her!
Anaïs.
PH Philobate Globetrotter ·
Hello

It's true that these wines are gaining more and more fans and are really nice to taste (but tricky for sommeliers because of the blends...)

However, I'm not very confident about their shelf life...

Philo
"J'ai refait tous les calculs, notre projet est irréalisable, il ne nous reste plus qu'une chose à faire, le réaliser". Latecoere dyslexique
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
It's true that these wines are gaining more and more fans and are really fun to taste (but a nightmare for sommeliers because of the blends...)

Which wines (or which post) are you talking about?
PH Philobate Globetrotter ·
I only drink good wines, but the prices range from very affordable to expensive—roughly from 3 to 20 € per bottle. I’m increasingly opting for biodynamic wines, which are very healthy, and you can find more and more excellent ones. Big merchants like Chapoutier have fully embraced this trend in recent years. Their Bila-Haut "Occultum Lapidem" is a gem at a reasonable price: http://www.chapoutier.com/...ference=OCL0R0475200

A site among others on biodynamic wine: http://20dalsace.chez-alice.fr/pages/alaunefev04.htm
"J'ai refait tous les calculs, notre projet est irréalisable, il ne nous reste plus qu'une chose à faire, le réaliser". Latecoere dyslexique
LE Lepiaf Globetrotter ·
Thanks! At this price, these aren’t wines for aging, and anyway, I rarely keep wines for more than 10 years—usually less than 5. What I love about these wines, besides the fact that no synthetic chemicals are used, is (for the well-made ones) their concentration and authenticity. When I talk to winemakers who’ve been organic for a long time—not just following a trend—I feel aligned with their approach, and I can draw a parallel with how we take care of ourselves. To be clearer, they treat the vine like I treat my body, always aiming to establish a natural balance. For example, when they’re faced with a disease or pest attacking the vine, they don’t treat it directly but instead look for what’s missing to restore the soil’s balance.
CH Chrousseaud Globetrotter ·
"tricky for sommeliers, because of the blends"

It’s mostly the white-red mix that’s tricky.

A saying: White on red, nothing’s wrong; red on white, all goes to hell.
ChR
AU Aurelien29 ·
hi there, I love wine—one glass with every meal—but you should try Lebanese wine, it’s pretty good.....
MA Matilde2005 ·
Wine with every dinner, and in the afternoon in summer a little rosé...
AB Abeille1 Regular ·
Hi Josaline,

As a Québécoise, I drink wine with dinner about 4 evenings a week—one to two glasses. My red wine favorite: Greg Normand Estate 2003, Cabernet Merlot, $24.95. Excellent choice. A bit pricey, but I treat myself every now and then. Bee
Abeille L'ouverture d'esprit n'est pas une fracture du crâne.......
AB Abeille1 Regular ·
Hi Josaline,

As a Québécoise, I drink wine with supper about 4 evenings a week—one to two glasses. My red wine favorite: Greg Normand Estate 2003, Cabernet Merlot, $24.95. Excellent choice! A bit pricey, but I treat myself every now and then. Abeille

Oops! I forgot—it’s an Australian wine!! 😉
Abeille L'ouverture d'esprit n'est pas une fracture du crâne.......
JO Josaline Regular ·
I know this wine—it reminds me of Francis Ford Coppola’s merlot, better than the cabernet sauvignon from the same producer. What a pleasure to enjoy a good bottle of wine! In the summer, rosé or white—why not?!

Cheers to tasting!
Si tu ne changes pas tes plumes, tu ne t'envoleras pas!
RI Rimcha Veteran ·
as well as Champagne (I never understood why they put bubbles in wine)

Because of the double fermentation, thanks to Dom Pérignon. In Savoie, you can find "aize", a naturally sparkling white wine. Cheers, Rousseau 😉
GA Gallia Veteran ·
Drink well, never die (Rabelais) this discussion made my mouth water, I'm going to take a trip to the cellar cheers!!
Vous ne serez riche que lorsque vous serez en possession d'une chose que l'argent ne peut acheter Pour le voyageur amoureux, cent km ne paraissent pas plus longs qu'un km( proverbe japonais)
RI Rimcha Veteran ·
And someone who farts and burps is in good health! 🙂
DA Darnaud ·
Well yeah, in moderation, and especially Burgundy since it's my region. Beyond the very grand crus, there are simpler but excellent wines like this Santenay I tasted at the foot of Mont Haut-Folin in Saint-Prix, but it wasn't just the wine that was delicious—it was also the atmosphere and the food
A pied, à cheval, en voiture, mais surtout à vélo !
CA Captainbang Veteran ·
Hello,

I can't imagine a meal without wine, and I always choose vacation destinations where there are vineyards! I also make it a point to taste as many local products as possible (and that’s not just limited to wine, by the way! :) )
ZO Zoe0712 ·
A big wine lover, I enjoy tasting it regularly, especially paired with my evening meals. I have a soft spot for Burgundy wines, but I also love exploring wines from other regions and countries. Right now, I’m particularly drawn to wines with grape varieties like Pinot Noir or Syrah. What about you—any recent favorite wines?
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Don’t think all French people drink grand crus every day either...

With climate change, we often get major floods, so we end up drinking the cup...😉 I thought Quebecers only drank Coca-Cola!😕
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

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