Red wine, please help?!
I like to socialise and would like to try a low alcohol wine.
Answers: Any sujestions on wines (dry none fruity wines) without to much alcohol, I like the taste of it but the alcohol does not agree with me as I get a 2 day hangover from drinking 2 glasses of wine.
I like to socialise and would like to try a low alcohol wine.
Red wines vary in alcohol content, with issues such as the process by which it is made (vinification) and the ripeness (e.g., higher sugar content generally speaking) of the grape being two factors influencing alcohol percentage. By country, it is sometimes possible to find a lower alcohol content from Italy or Spain, but certainly stay away from Zinfandels, Australian Shiraz, Ports, or other dessert wines. If whites were in play here, you'd be well served to find a nice, dry German white--they are often lower in alcohol. Within California reds, the percentage can vary as much as 3 or 4 percentage points (approximately from 12% to 16%, with some Zinfandels like Martinelli or Turley being as high as 17%-18%), generally speaking. You could also try organic wines like Coturri, which sometimes produces lower alcoholic wines in my experience over the years. Good luck.
It may not be the alcohol but some wines have a higher level of sulfides and that is usually what people get a headache from.
Red Wines
red wine Notes: Red wines are heavier and more strongly flavored than white wines, and they go best with heavier, more strongly flavored foods, like red meat, pasta, and ripe cheeses. They should always be served at room temperature. Substitutes: Madeira OR Port OR pomegranate molasses (Use just a little.) OR cranberry juice OR broth OR balsamic vinegar (Use just a little.) OR currant juice OR liquid used to reconstitute dried mushrooms
Varieties:
Barbera Pronunciation: bar-BEAR-uh Notes: This is a hearty red wine that's usually blended into jug wines, but sometimes sold as an inexpensive varietal wine. Substitutes: Chianti OR Zinfandel
Beaujolais Pronunciation: bow-zhuh-LAY Notes: This is a region in Eastern France that produces light, fruity, fresh-tasting red wines that are relatively low in alcohol. Beaujolais wines should be drunk while young. Substitutes: Gamay OR Pinot Noir OR Burgundy OR Chianti OR Barbera
Bordeaux wine (red) = claret Pronunciation: bore-DOUGH Notes: The Bordeaux region in France produces excellent red wines, especially in the districts of Médoc, Haut-Médoc, and St. Emilion. These wines are rich and complex, and usually made with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes. Bordeaux wines with the generic label "Bordeaux Wine" usually aren't as good as those with more specific appellations, like "St. Emilion Wine." Red Bordeaux wines go especially well with lamb and poultry. Substitutes: Cabernet Sauvignon OR Merlot OR Burgundy
Burgundy wine (red) Notes: Burgundy is a region in eastern France that produces excellent red wines, but the Burgundy wines produced in the United States are usually inexpensive jug wines made from different grape varieties.
Cabernet Franc Pronunciation: cah-burr-NAY FRAHN Notes: Cabernet Franc grapes are related to Cabernet Sauvignon, but they make for a lighter, fruitier wine. The wine is often blended with others, but sometimes sold as a varietal wine. Substitutes: Bordeaux OR Cabernet Sauvignon OR Merlot OR Zinfandel
Cabernet Sauvignon = Cabernet = Cab Pronunciation: cah-burr-NAY sow-vee-NYOHN Notes: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make a hearty, complex red wine that's especially good with roasted meats and heavy stews. Domestic Cabernets are often excellent. Substitutes: Bordeaux OR Merlot OR Zinfandel
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Pronunciation: shah-toe-nuff due PAHP Notes: This is a village in Provence that's known for its excellent red wines, which are blended from as many as 13 grape varieties. These wines tend to be pricey.
Chianti Pronunciation: kee-AHN-tee Notes: A lot of cheap domestic red wines go by this name, but the real thing comes from Tuscany and has a seal of authenticity on the neck. Italian Chianti is a hearty wine that's great with Italian food. Substitutes: Zinfandel OR Beaujolais OR Syrah
Gamay = Gamay Noir Notes: This is a grape variety that the French use to make their famous Beaujolais wine, a fruity, fresh-tasting red wine. Wines made from these grapes outside of the Beaujolais region are simply called Gamay. Don't confuse this wine with Gamay Beaujolais, which is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Valdiguie grapes, or with Napa Gamay, another name for Valdiguie. Substitutes: Beaujolais OR Pinot Noir
Gamay Beaujolais Notes: This name is given to American red wines made mostly from Pinot Noir and Valdiguie grapes. It's an unexceptional fruity wine that goes best with hearty dishes that have rich sauces. Don't confuse this wine with Gamay or Napa Gamay, both of which are superior. The name Gamay Beaujolais is scheduled to be phased out by 2007. Substitutes: Valdiguie OR Pinot Noir OR Beaujolais OR Cabernet Sauvignon OR Burgundy OR Syrah
Malbec Pronunciation: MALL-beck Notes: This red wine is similar to Merlot. It's a good choice if you want a decent but inexpensive red wine to serve with red meat and pasta. Substitutes: Merlot OR Chianti
Merlot Pronunciation: mer-LOW Notes: This is a hearty red wine that's similar to a Cabernet Sauvignon, but softer and less tannic. It goes especially well with pork, turkey, and pasta dishes. Substitutes: Cabernet Sauvignon OR Bordeaux
Petite Syrah = Petite Sirah Pronunciation: puh-TEET see-RAH Notes: This is a grape variety which produces an excellent red wine that's very dark and often described as "peppery." Don't confuse Petite Syrah with Syrah, another red varietal wine. Substitutes: Syrah OR Rhone wine (often made from Petite Syrah and Syrah)
Pinot Noir Pronunciation: pee-no NWAHR Notes: This earthy red varietal wine goes best with beef, ham, poultry, salmon, or tuna. Unfortunately, making it is tricky business, so the quality varies tremendously. A good one will be expensive and sublime. Substitutes: Cabernet Sauvignon OR Syrah
Rh?ne wine = Rhone wine Pronunciation: RONE Notes: Vineyards along the Rh?ne River in Southeastern France produce red, white, and blush wines, but they're best known for their excellent red wines. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the region's most famous appellation, while C?tes-du-Rh?ne is the catch-all name given to lesser Rh?ne wines. Substitutes: Syrah OR Bordeaux OR Pinot Noir OR Merlot OR Barbera OR Zinfandel OR Cabernet Sauvignon
Rioja Pronunciation: ree-OH-ha Notes: This is a region in Northern Spain that's known for its economical and fairly good red wines. Substitutes: Chianti OR Pinot Noir OR Burgundy
Sangiovese Pronunciation: san-joe-VAY-zee Notes: This is the red grape variety that's often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to make Italian Chianti. California Sangiovesi are hearty and good with Italian food. The quality of this wine varies tremendously, but a good Sangiovese is sublime. Substitutes: Chianti OR Zinfandel OR Cabernet Sauvignon OR Merlot
Syrah = Shiraz Pronunciation: see-RAW Notes: This wine is called Syrah in Europe and America, and Shiraz in Australia. It's a dry red wine that's especially good with barbecued meats, sausages, strong cheeses, and spicy foods. Don't confuse Syrah with Petite Syrah. Substitutes: Zinfandel OR Bordeaux OR Pinot Noir OR Merlot OR Barbera OR Cabernet Sauvignon
Valdiguie = Napa Gamay Notes: This is a relative of the Pinot Noir grape, and it makes a red wine that goes well with hearty meat-based dishes. Don't confuse it with Gamay or Gamay Beaujolais. Substitutes: Gamay Beaujolais OR Pinot Noir OR Beaujolais
Zinfandel = Zin Pronunciation: ZIN-fan-dell Notes: This is a hearty red varietal wine that's especially good with sausages and barbecued meats. Don't confuse it with white Zinfandel, a fruity blush wine that wine snobs abhor. California Zinfandels are often excellent. Substitutes: Chianti OR Syrah OR Merlot OR Cabernet Sauvignon OR Rhone wines (red)
White Zinfedel is usually a low alcohol wine, you can get it where it is not too fruity. Remember all wines are made from grapes, a fruit. A good dry wine would be a Cabernet Sauvignon, a red dry wine. They sell low alcohol wines at the liquor store. There are also "alcohol free" wines available. Cranberry juice in a wine glass will look like wine, but you don't have to tell everyone you are drinking it. Also, if you don't like wine, don't drink it. Don't drink to be sociable. Drink because you like it. If it makes you sick, don't drink. Good Luck.
I also get a headache from drinking reds, so I finally just drink whites now. But my sister says the organic reds are great! They have fewer sulphides, I guess.
Well lets start with price range. You can get some good wines in all prices. A good inexpensive red is Reunite Lambrusco. For a little more money Clos Du Bois makes a great red wine also.
I agree with Salina. Try some organics and see how you feel.
I'm telling you, its probably the sulfides, try organic.
Campion Pinot Noir Firepeak Vineyard,
J.K. Carriere Pinot Noir
Sineann Zinfandel Sweet Sydney
Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve
These are all red wines there is more variety in whites. Actually you should try whites. There are less sulfites and tanins which may contribute to your 2 day hangover. Look for wines with no sulfites some time.Try Bonterra! It is an organic wine that is excellent!
None of these are cheap but they are all fairly good. Actually quite good but they are not for me. You could serve these wines at a dinner party and noone would know they have low alcohol.
On the other hand, there is Fre~ by Sutter Home. It is cheap and gross and everyone will think you are an alcoholic because you are drinking Non-Alcoholic wine.
Theres a website that sells non alcohol wine - the lo-no drinks company
Instead of drinking red wine try a white wine spritzer. Use any kind of white wine and mix it 50/50 with Sprite/7-UP or club soda. If red wine is what you would like to stick to try any type of blush. The alcohol content is usually the lowest of most wines.
Arbor Mist makes some fruity wines that taste okay but they don't really taste like wine. I know there's a peach flavor...can't remember the rest right now.