What is a good "starter" wine?!
What is a good "starter" wine?
I really am not a big fan of wine (by this I am meaning Red Wine) I have tasted very little. I know that expense does not always translate to good taste, I know my pallet is not refined enough to truly appreciate some of the subtleties in a good glass. From what I have tasted, I do tend to like the sweeter tasting ones.
Answers:
I would tell you to stay where you are comfortable. When shopping for a wine, look at the alcohol %, this is a guide to tell you how sweet or dry a wine is. The less alcohol the sweeter it is. Any wine above the 12% mark is starting to become dry. There can be a dry wine that is fruity and almost seems sweet. Stay with Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat's (These are the grapes) They also do make a semi-sweet or off-dry red wine, try a Blaufrankish grape. If you try enough wine your palate will change and you will be suprised what you like.
Source(s):
wine store owner
Get Franzia boxed wine.. I like white and blush. They are good, and inexpensive.
Try any Shiraz from Austrailia. It will be on the sweet side, and not too tannic (causing that tongue-swelling feeling), and fairly affordable. Ask the guy/gal at the wine shop for a recommendation, they usually drink affordable wines too.
oliver red wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a great starter wine, good by itself, and not too bitter, will lead well into dinner.
Easy try a Merlot... they are just right... I think a Shiraz or Syrah can be high tannin which means you get a sort of butteries aftertaste... hard to describe... just go for the Merlot. Also Cabernet Sauvignon is a safe one most people can get away with... hope that helps!
Riesling is the way to go. Its a very light, but sweeter white wine.
Actually if you really want to learn to like red wine, start with a Pinot Noir. It tends to be fruitier than any of the other red varieties. The majority of reds are dry which is what you find unappealing. The key is to try the wine with food. Once you see how wine and foods pair so well together you should get a feel for what you like. If you are mainly interested in white wines start with a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. They are fruity and less dry than a Chardonnay. You can work your way up from there.
go to a local liquor store that has a decent selection of wines. a lot of places do wine tasting on weekends. :) or go on a wine tour if you're in an area that has some vineyards (goodtimes!!). Rieslings are a good starter on whites. Shiraz is a good red.
One of the best red wines to start with is Beaujoulais. It should cost less than $10, and it is completely acceptable to drink chilled if you like. The problem with starting on Pinot Noir is that good Pinot Noir costs more than $10, and cheap pinot noir is often times not good. The most expensive you will find Boujoulais is $20.
If it matters, Beuajoulais is a region in France, the southern part of Burgundsy, and the grape used to make it is called Gamay.
Start with Sutter Home White Zifendal. I am just like you, I am not into the merlot and cabernet. I LOVE White Zin. and it is only $6.00 a bottle. And it is fruity also. And if you dont like it, you are only out of $6.00.
If you're really starting off go for something like Wild Vines. It's a sweet not so "wine" wine taste. There are flavors, strawberry, peach, green apple, raspberry, and blackberry merlot.
I also really enjoy Black Tower and I don't really like wine whatsoever. It's a sweeter white wine.
I would start with a good blush wine, especially a White Zinfandel. They have a fruity taste, and a nice balance of sweetness and dryness. Beringer, Fetzer, and Sutter Home all produce very good and affordable White Zinfandels.
As you move into the true reds, I would suggest starting with Chianti or Shiraz and working your way into Merlots. Most any Chianti you find will be quite tasty, and as for the Shiraz and Merlot I highly recommend Yellowtail (an Australian winery).
Avoid Cabernet Sauvignon until you have become a more experienced wine drinker as these wines tend to be the most tannic (dry) in my experience.
The great thing about wine is that what you like someone else may not like.
So in that case I would head down the path of a Riesling (not a dry one) as you like the sweeter wines and don't chill it down too much it will kill it.