How to pick out a good bottle of red wine ,under $50.00 , without looking like an ametuer?!
How to pick out a good bottle of red wine ,under $50.00 , without looking like an ametuer?
I recently learned of the health benefits of red wine,but I cant order any while out,because I dont want to look foolish and unsophisticated.It also comes in handy washed down with a midol for those really crappy days! .Im sick of buying wine coolers,like that cheap "Boones Farm"or "boxed wine at the liquor store.Its embarrassing!
Answers: I buy boxed wine at the store all the time. It's not bad stuff and I use it primarily for cooking. I'm certainly not embarrassed by doing so.
As for a good bottle of red wind for under $50.00, well, ask someone. How do you look foolish if you go into a wine shop and ask the people there to do their jobs? They are the experts. Tell them what you're looking for, and they will be glad to help. Tell them you don't know much about wine and want to learn.
If you want to truly look foolish and unsophisticated then try to stumble through it on your own. One of my hobbies is gourmet cooking. I've been doing it for 35 years. Curiously enough, I've been buying and drinking fine wines for 35 years as well. I'm still learning, and I still ask the associate at the local wine shop for recommendations. They keep current, and when I describe something I'm cooking and am looking for a wine to pair with it, I expect them to recommend a wine that will be a good fit.
If you don't want to ask for help, then just pick a red wine. I would recommend a cabernet/merlot blend. If you want something imported, Louis Jadot Beaujolais is a good choice. As is Rothschild Mouton Cadet. Both come in under $15.00.
But don't be afraid to ask for help. ask someone who works at the liquor store. they should know about the different types and classes of wines. You won't look like an amateur if you ask the person working in the liquor shop for their recommendation. They will probably be flattered that you want them to help.
I do work in the wine industry & I know there is nothing wrong with not knowing ALL the available options.
Do you know how many vineyards there are producing good/great reds? Thousands. Don't be embarassed, just go to a wine store and ask for a good $50 wine. Don't live your life worrying about what people think, who cares. Asking is great, that is why WE ARE ALL HERE, right? I like to go to a store that deals with wines. The clerks usually know their wines and are very helpful. The guy asked me how much I was looking at spending. I told him $35 range, and I want a dry, but not too oaky.
I recently had a bottle of DOMAINE CARNEROS- Pinot Noir-
it was delicious.
I like trying different wines. I drink red and white. But mostly red.
Don't be ashamed of not knowing the wines. There's lots of people out there who are more than willing to give a helping hand. Do what everyone has been suggesting. I get many questions daily about wine at the liquor store where I work. Even if the clerk might not drink wine, they can easily show you the popular high end bottles. If you are not an experienced wine drinker, why on earth would you want to buy a wine over $10.00 a bottle.
I would suggest you go to the store and purchase 5 different bottles of $10 or less wine. Drink them, find out which ones you like and don't like and explore from there. If you like a California Cab, try and Australian Cab next or a French Bordeaux.