Yuri Asx

Guys, first of all I'd like to thank you all for very interesting and thorough replies, I didn't expect that so many people would come to help me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take your advice on my first purchase, as I went out shopping later that night. In the end I opted for: Beaujolais 2011, Chateau de Pizay Rioja Reserva 2008, Marques de RiscalRioja Ardanza 2004Sancerre Rose Domaine des Clairneaux 20122x La Casetta Valpolicella Set me back total of £80 + they gave me a £10 voucher for next purchase. Not too bad I think. But anyway, so far I've tried the Valpolicella, and that was pretty good. Very fruity and very smooth, I've enjoyed it quite a lot, was nice with pork and on its own. Honestly, didn't expect this wine to be so pleasant, it put a smile on my face I've tried the Sancerre Rose too, and that was extremely dry, but well balanced and quite easy drinkable, however it felt more like a house wine you would get in a casual french restaurant. Good wine, but definitely wasn't worth the price point of £14. I am really looking forward to try others in the near future. You guys gave me some really good information that I will certainly consider for next purchase, so thank you for that!

Hello everyone, I am very new to wine in general as my drinks of preference have always been madeira and cognac. Occasional cocktails involving Campari as well. I do drink wine now and then, but it has always been cheap wine that tasted sharp, bland or just had horrible aftertaste. Probably the best wine I had was supermarket version of Chateauneuf 2010 for £14, which tasted OK, but I would much rather prefer blandy's 10 year old malmsey for that price. Maybe the wine is not my drink? Anyway just as I was about to give up on it, I managed to score a deal, and long story short, I get to pick a case from local Majestic store. The wines can be mix and match and priced up to £15 per bottle, so I am really hoping you guys can suggest me something good that will perhaps open wine world to me The link to what they have is here: http://www.majestic.co.uk/french-wine?fh_location=colour%3E%7Bred20wine%7D I don't like white at all, so it has to be all red but I would like to try a bottle of rose as well. Now for some reason I think at this price point I should go for French for the best quality/price ratio, and I seem to like French wine more in general, but feel free to correct me. There is one more thing, I'd like one of the bottles to go well with cheese; now do red even go well with cheese? If they do, I would imagine it has to be something light and low in alcohol, so I was thinking this one: http://www.majestic.co.uk/Beaujolais-Villages-zid07099?tracking=|searchterm: I hope someone knowledgeable will find a few spare minutes to help me out with this request. Many thanks to you in advance!

Negroni was really nice guys, surprisingly it tasted quite similar to just campari with grapefruit juice, but stronger and sweeter. I really liked, and had 2 I made one for the girlfriend too, but she said it tastes like eating a flower and hated it... Any ideas what I could make for her? She likes sweet cocktails. Going to try this limoncello with hazelnut liqueur, lemon juice, egg white and sugar syrup drink

martini & rossi sorry

Ok guys, I have some new bottles: Campari and Martini for me Frangelico and Meletti Limoncello for girlfriend, to make lemon meringue. What should I start with?

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, it's all very good read and information. I quite liked the Old Fashioned, thanks Zachary, however I tried a bit different Side Car a bit (2 oz cognac, 1 oz triple sec and 0.5 oz lemon juice), and have been enjoying that a lot lately. It's probably my favorite now. I guess it's soon time to get a bottle of Campari and Vermouth.

Thank you for suggestions Chris and EvergreenDan. Well, i tried some of the popular cocktails like long island, side car, blue lagoon, screwdriver, woowoo, fuzzy shark, mojito etc. However, I didn't quite find the one I like a lot, probably the one with orange juice, blue curacao and peach schnapps was the best. But the most I enjoy really is just pure cognac, maybe cocktails aren't for me? The reason why I have the schnapps and other random liqueurs was to make some cosmos and strawberry daiquiries for my girlfriend, which she likes a lot, but I find them too sweet. I had a bottle of Campari before, and don't remember what I made, but I think I like bitter taste in general, maybe I should get another bottle and try something with that. So probably if you could advice something rather strong or bitter. Long island was nice too, but so many different variations, maybe someone can suggest a nice one? Many thanks guys

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, and apologies if I was meant to ask this in one of the similar threads. Looking to try some interesting drinks that you can suggest. My modest bar includes the following spirits and liqueurs: Spirits: Smirnoff vodka Bacardi white rum Blackfriars dry gin Jose Cuervo tequila (silver) Hennessy VSOP cognac Liqueurs: Bols blue curacao De Kuyper triple sec Archers peach schnapps Joseph Cartron creme de fraise de bois Cactus Jack's apple schnapps Riga Black Balsam (bitter herbal liqueur 45%) Pimms Malibu I also have grenadine, and can purchase any required juices/fruit. Please suggest something nice! Thank you in advance.