Wine probation support group starts here

[Sam Platt]

Survey says...VIOLATION!

David is tough... but fair.

[Redwinger]

Survey says...VIOLATION!

David is tough... but fair.

And also very WRONG!!

[David M. Bueker]

Well I already have 75+ bottles of ESJ in my cellar, so any purchase right now (regardless of price) would be a violation.

Also Bill - you go after the same buy every few weeks. Why not just stock up and be done with it?

[Redwinger]

Also Bill - you go after the same buy every few weeks. Why not just stock up and be done with it?

You're wrong again. I haven't purchased this wine in at least 6 months (Probably longer) and was surprised to see it still on the shelves at this price, as this is not a shop I get to very often. So I bought more...Geez!

Now, I do drink and post on a a number of ESJ wines, so I can see why you are confused. But, if my ESJ postings concern you for some reason, I usually indicate the wine in the subject line and anyone is free to ignore them.

Also, David- thank you for your interest in my buying habits. Thankfully NJ doesn't monitor it that closely.

[David M. Bueker]

Bill,

Not meant nearly as critically as you take it, but this thread is about trying to avoid buying, not telling us what great buys you just made.

[Oswaldo Costa]

Bill,

Not meant nearly as critically as you take it, but this thread is about trying to avoid buying, not telling us what great buys you just made.

Very measured and elegant response.

This thread started off as a forum for those who want to control their compulsive buying habits, usually futile attempts to fill the "hole in the soul" through the acquisition of material objects. But since I think we all hate the idea of disciplining our hedonism, lately it has become a forum for smug posts about opportunities that just couldn't be resisted.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Bill,

Not meant nearly as critically as you take it, but this thread is about trying to avoid buying, not telling us what great buys you just made.

Good reminder David. I am just popping downtown to look over a few shelves, just refreshing ideas of course, before coming home to scan the cellar for something Mosel-ish for weekend drinking.

[Sam Platt]

It's all in good fun, gang. The entertainment value is in the failed attempt at not purchasing wines. If none of use were in violation the posts would be a string of "I didn't buy any wine today". Not much excitement there.

PS: I did buy a nice Colombard this morning, but if it helps others to carry on the fight, I didn't feel good about it.

[Jeff_Dudley]

... PS: I did buy a nice Colombard this morning ...

A nice Colombard ? Tell me more.

[David M. Bueker]

Actually Sam - the point is:

"I'm really tempted by the new release from XYZ. I love their wines. I hear 200X is a great vintage for them."

We respond: "Don't do it. How many bottles do you already have from XYZ? Drink some! There's will always be another great vintage."

[Jenise]

Well, I fell off the wagon again.

Had a 20% off coupon burning a hole in my wallet good for as few as four bottles or as many as I could fit in my car. So when you consider the damage I could have done, that I only purchased five bottles is commendable, no? Oh, and they were two 04 Felsina Rancia and three bottles of a really old-fashioned, biscuity little grower champagne called Triolet.

p.s. My case of Laurel Glen arrived this morning. I think when I mentioned it previously I said it was going to be at the outrageously low price of $19. Well, I was wrong. It was only $15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam Platt]

Actually Sam - the point is:

"I'm really tempted by the new release from XYZ. I love their wines. I hear 200X is a great vintage for them."

We respond: "Don't do it. How many bottles do you already have from XYZ? Drink some! There's will always be another great vintage."

Okay David. I will try that approach. But I'm not making any promises. Intervention only goes so far.

[Sam Platt]

A nice Colombard ? Tell me more.

Jeff,

Whenever you get off of probation the 2005 Domaine De Mirail is a tasty Colombard at $11.00. I've not been a huge fan of that grape, but the Mirail is a nice sipper.

[Charles Weiss]

Real progress from here.
The good news:
I realized that buying decisions are much more controlled when traveling and knowing a shipper has only so many slots. I only buy things I really (as in truly) want.
I've looked at cellar tracker to see my typical purchasing and consumption rates, and decided to limit my purchases to 18 bottles/month (with some exceptions I won't bore you further with), which should lead to inventory reduction even if consumption holds steady (though I hope it will rise!).

The better news: I shared this plan with my wife, who recognized it as rational and overdue.

The best news: This made her feel better about the 600-bottle Vinotheque I bought cheap at an estate sale today (won't take long to "save" enough in unpurchased bottles to pay for it).

Charles

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

The best news: This made her feel better about the 600-bottle Vinotheque I bought cheap at an estate sale today (won't take long to "save" enough in unpurchased bottles to pay for it).

Charles, you`re de man!

[Sam Platt]

I realized that buying decisions are much more controlled when traveling and knowing a shipper has only so many slots. I only buy things I really (as in truly) want.
I've looked at cellar tracker to see my typical purchasing and consumption rates, and decided to limit my purchases to 18 bottles/month (with some exceptions I won't bore you further with), which should lead to inventory reduction even if consumption holds steady (though I hope it will rise!).

So effectively, Charles, your strategy is to buy the same amount of wine each month, but drink more? I'm not sure that is in keeping with the spirit of wine probation even if your wife does support the plan.

[David M. Bueker]

Now increased consumption is an idea I can get behind!

[Charles Weiss]

I realized that buying decisions are much more controlled when traveling and knowing a shipper has only so many slots. I only buy things I really (as in truly) want.
I've looked at cellar tracker to see my typical purchasing and consumption rates, and decided to limit my purchases to 18 bottles/month (with some exceptions I won't bore you further with), which should lead to inventory reduction even if consumption holds steady (though I hope it will rise!).

So effectively, Charles, your strategy is to buy the same amount of wine each month, but drink more? I'm not sure that is in keeping with the spirit of wine probation even if your wife does support the plan.

No, it's a decrease in number of bottles purchased (about 25-30/month now), and less than current consumption.
If I can do it.
Charles

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

I tried Charles`s method....>No, it's a decrease in number of bottles purchased (about 25-30/month now), and less than current consumption.

I am consuming less but the crates and boxes seem to be piling up! Mrs P is convinced that recent vintages are to die for but wonders when it is all going to quieten down.

[Jenise]

I tried Charles`s method....>No, it's a decrease in number of bottles purchased (about 25-30/month now), and less than current consumption.

I am consuming less but the crates and boxes seem to be piling up! Mrs P is convinced that recent vintages are to die for but wonders when it is all going to quieten down.

Mrs. P? THERE'S A MRS. P? I have somehow always believed you to be a bachelor, Doris.

[James Roscoe]

Mrs. P? THERE'S A MRS. P? I have somehow always believed you to be a bachelor, Doris.

Or a bachelorette?

I cannot subscribe to any of this. I have less than a 150 bottles. When do I stop? I was at the wine store yesterday and bought everything on the table. Help!

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Well, I am sort of single! Better-half might be a better line!!!

[JC (NC)]

Support group I need your help. Tell me why I should NOT buy a Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa with great reviews at $29.99 and while your at it, help me avoid a purchase of Barroche CdP. (Are you familiar with Barroche? The few wines from this producer that I have sampled in the past were yummy.)

[David M. Bueker]

Support group I need your help. Tell me why I should NOT buy a Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa with great reviews at $29.99 and while your at it, help me avoid a purchase of Barroche CdP. (Are you familiar with Barroche? The few wines from this producer that I have sampled in the past were yummy.)

Well I've never had a Valpolicella that ended up being as good as anyone said it was.

While you're at it, the quality level of Cotes du Rhone is so high now that I see little reason to buy Chateauneuf.