POLL: Your favorite grape

(since when was champagne a grape variety?)

The election was rigged, perhaps on my behalf. Even if not, it is much appreciated and is the most logical selection on the list If only REAL elections could be tailor-made like this (and offer the same delights when they end up in "office")

Thank you Jenise (even if it wasn't intended). Perhaps the world's greatest drink sub-conciously effects others as well whether they know it or not. I can easily see how the "mistake" was made...

Jeff

Okay, I know Chardonnay is often "snobbed upon" (as mentioned in my first post when I voted for it) but, in defense of this chalky, luscious, elegant, nutty, creamy blonde (when she's at her best) I must inquire, Why is my vote for her still showing 0%???????????

I realize I'm just one voice and will not have enough electoral votes to swing the results (her often saucier-edged sister appears to be the "people's choice" thus far) but I still assumed my lone vote would count!!!

I demand a recall!

This grape election wasn't posted from Florida was it???

Does this just mean we can all start from scratch I can just vote for the conveniantly appearing champagne option now! I'll be content to do that

Jeff

I see Mourvedre gets no vote...so far! Thought this might be next months Wine Focus subject?

Me? I voted Grenache!

Other. For me, Pinotage.

(since when was champagne a grape variety?)

Well, as Jeff B pointed out, it's also a distinct winemaking style so it really wasn't fair to make a champagne fan choose between chardonnay and pinot noir.

Oh thank you, thank you. Just saw this after I posted my previous post. Due to your kindness and graciousness I now gleefully voted for the "champagne" option!

Of course, now when I went to vote, the CHARDONNAY vote I casted had now RE-APPEARED and was counted!

I hope it wasn't re-added on my behalf because if it was I now have TWO votes casted! LOL If that's possible to do? I didn't even think it was? Not that I won't be happy to have a vote counted for both...

I'm being difficult aren't I?

Jeff

[James Roscoe]

Isn't this kind of like asking who your favorite child is? I went with Nebbiolo (today), but it could easily be another tomorrow.

Shiraz for me most of the time - a good second place to Zinfandel

Cheers, Dave C

Of course, now when I went to vote, the CHARDONNAY vote I casted had now RE-APPEARED and was counted!

I don't suppose the thought crossed your mind that someone else may have voted Chardonnay. There are a band of of followers of this noble grape, you know.

Of course, now when I went to vote, the CHARDONNAY vote I casted had now RE-APPEARED and was counted!

I don't suppose the thought crossed your mind that someone else may have voted Chardonnay. There are a band of of followers of this noble grape, you know.

From what's typically said/thought about the grape, no, it never did cross my mind!

But my apologies and welcome to the club! It's always nice to see a fellow fan

Of course then that just makes this "election" even more puzzling because, at least at one point earlier, it was simply showing 0% for our favorite grape. How could TWO votes get lost in the ballot box???

Jeff

(since when was champagne a grape variety?)

The election was rigged, perhaps on my behalf. Even if not, it is much appreciated and is the most logical selection on the list

But the question is what is your favourite grape variety, not what is your favourite wine.

Voting for a grape doesn't define what sort of wine. One might vote Sauvignon Blanc because it can be made dry and sweet. One could vote Pinot Noir because it makes red and makes Champagne.

If the desert island rule restricted you to one variety you could still get a range of wines -- red and white -- depending on the grape chosen.

Even with the intention of choosing Champagne only, it would be telling to express a favourite variety used in its making. I prefer blanc de noir Champagne so would vote Pinot Meunier.

A problem for me is I like my Champagne well chilled and I can't see that is going to be easy on a desert island....

Peter, Hi.....

Considering hyothetical settings, any self-respecting dessert island will most surely come equipped with a fine temperature and humidity controlled wine cellar.

In seriousness, as both smugglers and Israeli soldiers have learned, when in the dessert, the way to store wine is simply to dig a trench about 1 meter deep, to place the wines in the trench and to recover it with sand. A meter under the sand actually proves quite cool.

Best
Rogov

In seriousness, as both smugglers and Israeli soldiers have learned, when in the dessert, the way to store wine is simply to dig a trench about 1 meter deep, to place the wines in the trench and to recover it with sand. A meter under the sand actually proves quite cool.

I'm surprised that a meter in a warm climate desert would do it. Going deep down into ground (or a deep cave, or a spring) should just get you to average annual temperature, so in a very warm climate it would be cooler than daytime highs, but not really cool. I would guess a meter down gets you to more a seasonal average, most places you need to go 2-3 meters to eliminate seasonal change.

In any case, I'm hoping my island is not in the tropics, I need to keep my whites chilled, and need a place with a true winter as well as springs and caves. That said, I'm assuming there is a plan for a Pinot Noir laden ship to founder nearby every couple years, so I can get a couple pallets of PN off the flotsam.

Ideally it would be Pinot Noir, but in practice I drink a lot more Zinfandel. Those are the two largest populations in my cellar. I only wish good PN weren't so darned expensive!

John

I was thinking more in line with growing my favorite grape variety and producing my own wine. So the location of the place where I’m banished will be a deciding factor, (if it would be a grape variety that favors hot or cold climates). The tropics aren’t really too bad, yes this would require a grape variety that can thrive in hot climates, but then again I might squeeze in two harvests a year.

Salute

I'm surpised Cab Sauv and Merlot only have one vote each. Where are all the Bordeaux drinkers?

Setting aside Champagne, which doesn't seem to fit the question asked . . .

Riesling is pretty clearly the winner for me. Wouldn't mind drinking only that for the rest of my life. Second and third go to pinot noir and gamay. And though I have exposure to a broad variety of grapes, my experience within each grape is pretty thin. I can't think of another white grape that would fit the bill. I love the expressiveness and diversity of chenin blanc, but don't think I could stomach only that for the rest of my days--it seems a bit too particular. Certainly not Chardonnay--at least my experience has introduced me to many styles I wouldn't enjoy on a regular basis. Not sure if there's enough variety of expression of Silvaner--but I might give that a chance. Love verdejo, but would be worried about becoming bored with it. Excellent question.

Of course, I presume we are allowed to bring beer to the proverbial desert island? No need to abandon the requisites of a civilized existence, no?

But the question is what is your favourite grape variety, not what is your favourite wine.

I understand. I already wrote that I was aware I was being difficult. Was just my apparently poor attempt at adding a little humor and having some fun. Plus, I did vote for Chardonnay (initially) which hopefully is still a grape variety! It wasn't until later that I discovered that champagne had magically appeared on the ballot. I will admit that even though it isn't a grape variety, I couldn't in good-conscious not vote for it if somehow it was going to be allowed! After all the election criteria and process is out of my hands. I just simply voted, correct or incorrect, for the most attractive candidate (in my eyes) on the list...

Voting for a grape doesn't define what sort of wine.

Well in my case it has to or else I'm not sure it would be wise for me to participate! Not that it would sadden anyone I'm sure. That's because I largely and predominately only enjoy champagne the most in terms of "wine". I'm not as well-rounded, diverse or experimental as most in trying/drinking/appreciating wines in all it's grape varieties across the board. I more or less am the type who finds what he really likes most and pretty much sticks with it. Even restricting to just champagne is a lifetime's worth of undiscovered joys! Anytime I'm experimenting around with other wines, with all due respect to them, is still less time I'm not spending with champagne! Is just a personal preference. Therefore, in my case, what I enjoy most virtually dictates by default the grape variety(ies) I have to choose from. It really doesn't help me to weigh the various wines and pleasures I could recieve if I only picked Riesling or Cabernet Sauvignon or something if, inevitably, they aren't even in my favorite wine(s)...

If the desert island rule restricted you to one variety you could still get a range of wines -- red and white -- depending on the grape chosen.

That's fine. I still have no regrets. I can "suffer" with some Chablis and White Burgundy if it's sent along in the cases as well! I also understand I'll likely get more unneceesary or unwanted crates of "supermarket chardonnay" from all over the globe by picking this grape which I guess I can still taste if bored or just simply leave untouched if I don't like. But for me the biggest concern would be that my favorite wine must be in that shipment for the grape variety chosen! Or else why did I pick that given grape variety as my choice if my favorite wine isn't a part of it? Perhaps I should be interpreting the question for what is your favorite grape as, "what grape can you pick where no wine made from it you outright dislike"? If that's the goal perhaps chardonnay (or any grape) should not be the answer. But I view the question, in the end, for me personally as more what wine(s) can I not ever imagine living without and thus what grape(s) make up that wine...

Even with the intention of choosing Champagne only, it would be telling to express a favourite variety used in its making.

Initially I did. I had no choice! That's why I voted for chardonnay! I'm assuming chardonnay is still a main variety in the making of champagne??? I'll dearly miss it if it has been replaced...

I prefer blanc de noir Champagne so would vote Pinot Meunier.

I respect that! I'm even happy to hear it! At least it's a vote for champagne so can't fault you (or anyone) for that. I love it myself. That's the whole reason I initially felt somewhat sad having to be forced to pick between three grape varieties that I actually love more as "one" rather than apart and isolated. I inevitably had to side with Chardonnay, admittedly at the loss of several great champagnes that would exist in largely pinot based percentages, but what could I do? Most the ones I tend to prefer, on average, have had significant chardonnay influence/characteristics so I just went with the variety that had the slight edge for me typically.'Especially when I considered many of the various and delicious blanc de blancs I've enjoyed over the years (and which just seem to be more numerous and varied than blanc de noirs). That was a main reason in itself. Salon and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne (while I wish I could say I can afford to constantly enjoy them) are still, when I have had them, among my very favorite champagnes I've ever had personally. So I can't say I'll be regretful or suffering too badly on this island. Besides, the periphial benefits of chardonnay were more "appealing" to me in the sense if I want a "still" wine, I can just move a bit south and have a Chablis or a various white burgundy, which I LOVE the chalky minerality of (when its at it's best). Whereas, red burgundy, for me, is a less desirable side benefit to picking pinot noir (blanc de noirs). I understand I'm a bit backwards or simply in a minority in that regard but you like what you like.

I guess the beauty is now that champagne has conveniantly appeared on the ballot, I was able to break the rules and be able to rightfully enjoy all three varieties as one! To me, champagne is still best, overall, with all three as one and not having to single one out if you don't have to. I understand the vote breaks the rules and doesn't answer the original question, but I didn't set up the criteria, I'm just now taking advantage of it. But, if forced, I'll both gleefully and yet sadly go back to JUST chardonnay...

A problem for me is I like my Champagne well chilled and I can't see that is going to be easy on a desert island....

Now that I agree with! It might be a bit difficult for sure. Then again, I might be a little bit odd in regards to that as well in that I actually don't "mind" warmed up champagne (provided it was INITIALLY chilled of course). Then again, everyone's choice of grape/wines might be at a disadvantage here since I don't know of any wine that doesn't need to be chilled at least somewhat. But, you're right, chilling champagne to begin with is going to be difficult. Anyway we can get a century's worth of ice or some self-powering freezers to be sent to this island???

[Jenise]

Of course, now when I went to vote, the CHARDONNAY vote I casted had now RE-APPEARED and was counted!

I don't suppose the thought crossed your mind that someone else may have voted Chardonnay. There are a band of of followers of this noble grape, you know.

From what's typically said/thought about the grape, no, it never did cross my mind!

But my apologies and welcome to the club! It's always nice to see a fellow fan

Of course then that just makes this "election" even more puzzling because, at least at one point earlier, it was simply showing 0% for our favorite grape. How could TWO votes get lost in the ballot box???

Jeff

They can't; someone didn't vote. In fact, maybe neither of you did, because guess who else chose chardonnay? My desert island's a hot place, and a good supply of white burgs would get me through the days nicely.

They can't; someone didn't vote. In fact, maybe neither of you did, because guess who else chose chardonnay? My desert island's a hot place, and a good supply of white burgs would get me through the days nicely.

Oh wow! LOL Now we have three! Welcome! Perhaps this grape will catch on one day after all and become popular, who knows! Maybe even the biggest in the world! Sorry, I couldn't resist...

As far as the vote, I could've sworn I clicked submit but of course I cant be 100% positive. It's possible I never physically clicked it and just thought I did. So perhaps it's my own doing for not getting my vote in.

Nonetheless, if we're now allowing champagne as a "grape variety" I won't challenge the system! My vote for it can stay...

The thought of only having one grape variety is indeed a scary thought, but I went with chenin blanc. Like reisling, it can be made in almost all styles, from sparkling to sweet, and to me is the 'funkiest' grape out there. Cabernet would be my second choice...