Red wine for people who don't like red wine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg I can't believe I am geeking out on wine on the Internet but here I am. I agree that Italian wines are a good place to start, but I disagree that they are "lighter" than French or California wines. A good starter Italian wine is acidy and sweet, and not too tannic. Not light! Unless by "light" you mean not tannic? Conversely, a fine French wine can be really light - but to a newby, might be too gamey or too tannic. IMO, the reason people don't like reds is because they have only tried cheap nasty stuff, or they are not used to the earthiness of French wine. The best starting place would be a GOOD California cab or Italian - and price does matter. Doesn't have to be a $100 bottle, but there are not going to be that many $15 bottles that actually taste good. The price range is more like $30-60.

You can't really lose by going to a good wine store and asking for help. Schneiders on the hill or McArthurs. Don't go to one of those trendy ones on 14th st.

I disagree-- there are plenty of wines that taste good in the $15 range, especially for someone just getting into wine. Personally I might try something from Australia or Chile. There was an interesting article a while back on a 2 buck chuck wine drinker learning to drink more expensive wine and it turned out if you just want to drink a glass of wine after work then 2 buck chuck (i.e. the Trader Joes house wine) and other inexpensive wine can work quite well, but when you start pairing wine with food is when more expensive wine can really show its stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beaujolais.

They have a short shelf life. I wouldn't drink one over a year old.

[Anonymous]

Real Beaujolais (not Nouveau) is a good a few years out. They're very nice light-bodied reds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Realizing this is a bit ironic, but does such a thing exist? Are there red wines that are more "transitional," for people who don't usually like red wines or find them to be too much?

Mix red wine with diet coke.

Voila!

[Anonymous]

Lambrusco. It's the only wine I actually enjoy drinking while eating. Otherwise I like wine separately and maybe with a snack, but not with a meal. It's light and fizzy, sweet and inexpensive. It's a little wine-cooler-y.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Italian reds are good to start. A San Giovese--mellow, flavorful and smooth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realizing this is a bit ironic, but does such a thing exist? Are there red wines that are more "transitional," for people who don't usually like red wines or find them to be too much?

Mix red wine with diet coke.

Voila!

are you Croatian or Slovenian, by chance?

[Anonymous]

Pinot Noir is where DH started with red wine. A decent inexpensive one that's easy to find is Mark West. It's lighter in body and flavor that is eaiser for a non-red wine drinker to enjoy.


Agree. We love this wine.

Another vote for Mark West pinot. DW and I started with this wine as a transitional/starter wine for her 15 years ago. It's been a fun road. Last week, we opened a bottle of it, after we hadn't had it in five or six years. Still great. I'm going to get more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realizing this is a bit ironic, but does such a thing exist? Are there red wines that are more "transitional," for people who don't usually like red wines or find them to be too much?

Mix red wine with diet coke.

Voila!

are you Croatian or Slovenian, by chance?

Not PP, but Chileans sometimes drink red wine mixed with Coke and white wine mixed with Sprite.

[Anonymous]

Blech - beaujolais is crap.

Try this - http://shop.peju.com/SHOP.AMS?LEVEL=BOT&PART=11121&DESC=Provence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Pinot Noir is where DH started with red wine. A decent inexpensive one that's easy to find is Mark West. It's lighter in body and flavor that is eaiser for a non-red wine drinker to enjoy.


Agree. We love this wine.

Another vote for Mark West pinot. DW and I started with this wine as a transitional/starter wine for her 15 years ago. It's been a fun road. Last week, we opened a bottle of it, after we hadn't had it in five or six years. Still great. I'm going to get more.

+2 on the Mark West. Truly a great wine at a good price.

[Anonymous]

Sangria?

[Anonymous]

People saying "beaujolais is crap" are really just displaying their ignorance. They have probably only had beaujolais nouveau. It is like people saying they hate chardonnay, when all they have had is oaky american chardonnays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People saying "beaujolais is crap" are really just displaying their ignorance. They have probably only had beaujolais nouveau. It is like people saying they hate chardonnay, when all they have had is oaky american chardonnays.

Well, I said that and I've tried a lot of different kinds of beaujolais. Just don't like it. Name one you like and if I haven't tried it already, I will. I try to keep an open mind and am waiting to be convinced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or Merlot.

"I am not drinking any f@$king merlot!"