Good wine? Please help.?!
Im turning 21 soon and i've always wanted to try some wine!. The real stuff from the vineyards not the cheep artificial flavored stuff!. But there are so many different flavors out there and I have no idea what to buy!. I was looking for something that tasted kinda fruity or sweet!. I just dont want to randomly choose one and have it taste horriable!. I always thought the purple colored wine tasted like grapes but on most of them it says made with mixed berries and chocolate!? Eww!. What about red wine!? If anyone has alot of experience with tasting alot of different types of wine maybe you can help me get an idea of what to choose and what no to choose according to my taste =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Oh, did you come to the right guy for that question!.!.!. Ha!
First, let's talk common wines!.!.!.
For whites, you have Reisling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay!.
For Reds, you have Beaujolais or Gamay Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Shiraz or Syrah (same thing), Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot!.
There are MANY others, but you're just getting started!. The very first piece of advice that I'd give you is to go to a decent wine shop, not a convenience or grocery store!. Unless it's a specialty grocery store, I'm sorry, but they really don't know much about wine!. Green beans, sure, but wine!? No!. A good wine shop should not be intimidating and the people there should help - after all, they want to sell wine! Another good store, if it's in your area, is World Market, but ask for the person that's in charge of the wine, not the checkout girl smacking gum, twirling her hair and jonesing to text message someone!.
Here are some safe ones to try to get you started!.!.!.
Castle Rock Pinot Noir
Firesteed Pinot Noir
Bogle Zinfandel and Petite Sirah are their best
Bonterra or Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
Gascon Malbec
McManis Chardonnay
Robert Mondavi or Ecco Domani Pinot Grigo
Lastly, the label on the back is NOT mentioning how it's made!. Those are not indgredients!.!.!. For example, a good Sauvignon Blanc will be citrus, peach, lime or grassy in it's flavor and overtones!. That doesn't mean that they threw all of those in as ingredients!. You see, wine is a living, breathing thing that changes over time and as wine matures, it takes on different flavors and characterstics!. It's what keeps me coming back for more!.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!Www@FoodAQ@Com
First, let's talk common wines!.!.!.
For whites, you have Reisling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay!.
For Reds, you have Beaujolais or Gamay Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Shiraz or Syrah (same thing), Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot!.
There are MANY others, but you're just getting started!. The very first piece of advice that I'd give you is to go to a decent wine shop, not a convenience or grocery store!. Unless it's a specialty grocery store, I'm sorry, but they really don't know much about wine!. Green beans, sure, but wine!? No!. A good wine shop should not be intimidating and the people there should help - after all, they want to sell wine! Another good store, if it's in your area, is World Market, but ask for the person that's in charge of the wine, not the checkout girl smacking gum, twirling her hair and jonesing to text message someone!.
Here are some safe ones to try to get you started!.!.!.
Castle Rock Pinot Noir
Firesteed Pinot Noir
Bogle Zinfandel and Petite Sirah are their best
Bonterra or Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
Gascon Malbec
McManis Chardonnay
Robert Mondavi or Ecco Domani Pinot Grigo
Lastly, the label on the back is NOT mentioning how it's made!. Those are not indgredients!.!.!. For example, a good Sauvignon Blanc will be citrus, peach, lime or grassy in it's flavor and overtones!. That doesn't mean that they threw all of those in as ingredients!. You see, wine is a living, breathing thing that changes over time and as wine matures, it takes on different flavors and characterstics!. It's what keeps me coming back for more!.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Don't be too freaked out about the "tasting notes" there are hints of all kinds of flavors!.
Starting out a sweet wine will go down easier and later your taste may develop for a dry wine!.
Not sure where you are so will just say that a Riesling is a white wine that usually is somewhat sweet without being like soda!. It is a white wine so should be served cold!. But is is a real wine and not like a zinfindel whih is like a lemonade!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Starting out a sweet wine will go down easier and later your taste may develop for a dry wine!.
Not sure where you are so will just say that a Riesling is a white wine that usually is somewhat sweet without being like soda!. It is a white wine so should be served cold!. But is is a real wine and not like a zinfindel whih is like a lemonade!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
When I first tried wine I went with a White Zinfandel!. Its is sweet and not dry!. It is like a rose color!.
Now, I prefer Pinot Nior!. It is a red wine, it is slightly sweet, but not as sweet as the White Zin!.
If you want a sweet white wine, try a Riesling!.
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also too, check out your local wine store and see if they offer wine tastings!. Sometimes, smaller wine shops will let you taste the wine there as well before you buy it!.
Best of luckWww@FoodAQ@Com
Now, I prefer Pinot Nior!. It is a red wine, it is slightly sweet, but not as sweet as the White Zin!.
If you want a sweet white wine, try a Riesling!.
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also too, check out your local wine store and see if they offer wine tastings!. Sometimes, smaller wine shops will let you taste the wine there as well before you buy it!.
Best of luckWww@FoodAQ@Com
First of all, cheap wine does not mean artificial wine!. All wine (cheap and costly) is made from fruit!. Most wine is made from grapes, so I will focus on that!. All wine made from grapes comes from vineyards, so there should be no worries about getting a non-vineyard wine!.
I suspect that for your first wine that you want something a little on the sweet side!. Try an American Riesling or a white zinfandel to start!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I suspect that for your first wine that you want something a little on the sweet side!. Try an American Riesling or a white zinfandel to start!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You aren't going to turn into a wine expert overnight!. It is just going to have to be a case of trial and error!. Trust me, I am still learning, and occasionally have pleasant, and not so pleasant, surprises!.
Avoid Liebfraumilch and cheap Pinot Grigio!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Avoid Liebfraumilch and cheap Pinot Grigio!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
There's Pindar which is from the vinyards of Long Island!. I guess you could try those if they sell it in your area!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
As a rule, if it comes in a box or a bottle with a screw top, for God's sake DON'T DRINK IT! Try a Cabernet!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you are looking for a white I would suggest Pinot Grigio which is a very light easy drinking white!. Riesling can be sweet or dry, but tends to have a Granny Smith apples!.
For reds, Beaujolais is soft and Fruity and Pinot Noir is supple and silky!.
Ask your server or bartender for a sample of wine!. They will probably let you try a few of their by the glass wines!. Don't try to have 21 shots of wine for your 21st, but let your server know what you think you might like and s/he will probably have suggestions!.
Have fun!!
And don't fear screw cap wine!. Some very respectable wine is packaged with screw caps these days, especially wine from down under!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
For reds, Beaujolais is soft and Fruity and Pinot Noir is supple and silky!.
Ask your server or bartender for a sample of wine!. They will probably let you try a few of their by the glass wines!. Don't try to have 21 shots of wine for your 21st, but let your server know what you think you might like and s/he will probably have suggestions!.
Have fun!!
And don't fear screw cap wine!. Some very respectable wine is packaged with screw caps these days, especially wine from down under!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you live in a rea where there are wineries I suggest you spend a little time to take their tour!. This will give you a background as to how wine is produced, red or white!. The tasting room at the winery itself will showcase all their wines and you could start there!. The people are knowledgeable and not intimidating!. Tell them you're just starting to explore wines and they will gladly help you!. If you have a wine bar in your area this is another good source for tasting!. You can taste horizontally or vertically!. This means you can taste one wine from different years or several different wineries offerings of one varietal!. As someone else wrote, wine is a living breathing thing and it is an adventure you could enjoyWww@FoodAQ@Com