The Franzia Challenge ( cheap wines vs. good wines )

[z28dreams]

So,

I'm convinced that most people would be very hard pressed to tell the difference (or have a preference) between a $10 bottle of wine and a $50 bottle.

I'm looking to have a blind-wine tasting, and see just what works out. Future challenges may be created for beer or vodka.

Please post suggestions for this tasting in the following price ranges:

- Bottles ~ $1-$7
- Bottles ~ $8-$15
- Bottles ~ $15-20
- Bottles ~ $20-50

(or suggest better ranges) I chose these ranges because my hypothesis is that you rarely need to spend more than $15 on a bottle of wine.

Also, what type of wine should I go with? I'm thinking some type of Cab to make things easiest. I'd preferably like to keep everything from a similar region.

Franzia box-wine will obviously be included in hopes of someone choosing it as their favorite. Mason is no longer in DC, or this would be a lock.

It would also be cool if I can get everything from one store - like a CostCo or similar.

[bryan4967]

wegmans

[z28dreams]

Bryan: A roommate actually told me that wegman's has some kind of wine-tasting room where you can buy wine by the glass.

This might be a good venue to do this, so I don't have to buy a ton of different wines.

Could you elaborate?

[kipin]

Ya you work right by Wegmans, and they have a huge wine selection for a retail grocery store.

If they don't meet your expectations (I'm sure they will) You could go with Total Wine, or Costco. Costco obviously being cheaper, but Total Wine you might be able to pick up some more obscure bottles.

Trader Joe's also has a decent wine selection and pretty knowledgeable staff that could help you find something. (Wegman's has a knowledgeable staff as well)

Also, stay away from the Franzia Sangria.

That stuff is terrible.

[kipin]

Wegman's has wine tastings on a certain day of the week, I'm not sure which day it is tho, but I'm sure you could easily find this information.

[mason55]

^^^^

The wine store at that Wegmans is awesome and they will help you out.


[ QUOTE ]
Also, stay away from the Franzia Sangria.

That stuff is terrible.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFHeresy

[kipin]

I can't believe you know what Wegman's I speak about and you and I never partied and got down when you lived on the right coast.

(I hear you kiss men which is a bonus of course)

[asofel]

I'm down for this, and might even bring some wines above $15 that are worth it...

[Clarkmeister]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm convinced that most people would be very hard pressed to tell the difference (or have a preference) between a $10 bottle of wine and a $50 bottle.


[/ QUOTE ]

Define "most people". If you mean random drinkers who really don't drink wine that often, maybe. But anyone who drinks wine at all on a regular basis will be able to tell (assuming that the wines chosen have a corrolation between price and taste. There are plenty of not-tasty $30 wines).

I'd have wider price ranges, btw.
0-15
15-25
25-40
40-60
60+

You may be better off doing a tasting by Wine Spectator score, or something similar to best try and make it "good wines" vs. "crappy wines".

[mosdef]

[ QUOTE ]
my hypothesis is that you never need to spend more than $15 on a bottle of wine.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is true if you never learn to tell the difference. But being uneducated about the difference is not the same as "there is no difference".