[c0nstant]

i'm trying to expand my taste in beverages beyond beer and 7 and 7's. what's a good wine (red or otherwise) to start with? i'm trying to not spend too much, if i can avoid it. thanks for any input in advance

[MichaelSNU]

White:Chateau Ste Michelle Sauvignon Blanc ($12)

Red: Robert Mondavi Private Selection - Merlot ($12-$16)

After you get used to the Merlot step it up to a Cabernet Sauvignon. There is usually a significant difference from a $10 dollar bottle of Cab when compared to a $25-$35 dollar bottle.

[Bimmer84]

I'd recommend a good Syrah if you'd like to get into red wine..

[KingOfJericho]

The Prisoner or Saldo from Orin Swift. The Prisoner is my favorite wine.

[immiketoo]

JH, If you have Trader Joes by you, go there and talk to them. They have a decent selection of inexpensive wines that are pretty good.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The Prisoner or Saldo from Orin Swift. The Prisoner is my favorite wine.

Lol. Those are both $35 bottles. Great bottles but not stuff you want to start out with. It's a bargain for how good swift's wine but not something to drink daily unless you have the money to do so.

Originally Posted by immiketoo

JH, If you have Trader Joes by you, go there and talk to them. They have a decent selection of inexpensive wines that are pretty good.

I would more suggest a wine store. My neighbor owns a wine store and I'm basically his employee in my spare time. As knowledgable as trader joes may be they only deal with specific wines that they carry. They won't go out of their way for you to order wines or anything like that.

Francis ford Coppola wines are good and cheap.
Hayman and Hill
Apothic
Evolution
Conundrum
Sterling
OZV


I am personally not a fan of merlots. I would start with blends. Figure out your tastes then move on after that. Blends are the safest bet either white or reds for all beginners

[Bobble]

I agree with Darkcloud on the point of consulting a wine store, if the store also has a wine bar you can probably try some tastings to see what your particular pallet enjoys.
I personally like heavier fuller bodied wines so blends are not the best for me but I've been drinking wine for 20 years.
I really enjoy pinots and zins but they tend to be finicky wines at lower price points.
That said best value at lower price points are some blends, I would suggest a Newton Claret as a possible starting point it's around $15 a bottle. I would however really suggest trying some tastings to see what you do and don't like rather than spending money on a whole bottle to find out you think it's swill even if it is only a $15 bottle.
Food and pairings always come into play as well but that's a whole other topic.

[Kroy]

Hey JH, there's a couple ways you can get into wine. One good way to get better is to stick with one grape you like and continue drinking only that varietal for months to a year. I personally haven't done this type of training but hear it really helps you figure things out. So if you find there's a varietal you really enjoy, might not be a bad thing to stick with drinking just that one varietal.

There's a lot of good California wines to be had here since we're local, but I would also look into other international wines. Like look up some malbec from Argentina or some carignan from Chile. You can also find some nice spanish wines that are made with a very traditional style. These last 3 countries I listed all produce terrific wines in their own style at an affordable price point.

It's kind of hard giving you examples of wines to try if we don't know your taste. You like reds, but what about them do you like? Do you like bold fruit? earthy? soft and delicate? peppery? tannins? oak?

[infinitekidM2C]

Get down to a wine store or bevmo...buy like 3 bottles of $20+ wines from different grapes, Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir..and see what you like. I personally don't like Merlot, but prefer Cab or Spanish wines such as Tempranillo or Garancha. Pinot to me is hit or miss.

[NYCGP]

Wine tasting events happen almost every weekend in every major city in America. Lots of liquor stores hold them monthly as well. That is probably your best bet. The flavors and textures of wines range rather dramatically. So why not try a little bit of everything and decide for yourself.

Good Luck.

[BTM]

Wine is like beer, 2 that look the same could be completely different. Do some tasting to figure out what you like in a red - I personally love a very dry wine, and avoid ones that are too sweet. Once you nail down your preferences, you'll have a starting point, but I wouldn't strictly drink ones that fall within your existing taste, develop a taste for other things and you may start to appreciate them more as well. Variety is a good way to keep it interesting.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

Wine tasting events happen almost every weekend in every major city in America. Lots of liquor stores hold them monthly as well. That is probably your best bet. The flavors and textures of wines range rather dramatically. So why not try a little bit of everything and decide for yourself.

Good Luck.

+1

wine tastings are a good idea. gives you an opportunity to try a variety of different wines without buying by the bottle. hopefully whomever is hosting the wine tasting is knowledgeable in the wine they are serving too.

[BTM]

Also, unless you know the chick can drink, limit her wine to maybe 2 honest glasses an hour. For whatever reason chicks get shitfaced on wine, so could mess with fucking. But if she drinks too slow, she'll fall asleep, and no fucky.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by BTM

Also, unless you know the chick can drink, limit her wine to maybe 2 honest glasses an hour. For whatever reason chicks get shitfaced on wine, so could mess with fucking. But if she drinks too slow, she'll fall asleep, and no fucky.

lol

[BTM]

u think I'm kidding

[infinitekidM2C]

nah..funny but true...

I'm not into wine tasting that much because you're generally in with a bunch of annoying people and have to elbow people to get a taste sometimes. I'd rather plunk down a couple $20's and do it in my own confines.

[BTM]

Yea agreed, I generally prefer a relaxed environment for things like that. But its hard to meet some milf with a maserati chilling in your backyard

OP: lots of vineyards in cali too, those are always hosting tastings/events. Could be a good way to get started.

[ttam]

Originally Posted by BTM

Yea agreed, I generally prefer a relaxed environment for things like that. But its hard to meet some milf with a maserati chilling in your backyard

OP: lots of vineyards in cali too, those are always hosting tastings/events. Could be a good way to get started.

^^ that

San Antonio Winery in LA has a decent selection. I say you give them a go.

[xsb00st]

Bev Mo 5cent sale is your best friend. I'd also recommend Costco, they have a great selection of wines at a variety of price points.

[Inspired]

What is a good collector's wine for beginners?

[Kroy]

^ what do you mean by collector's wine?

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Kroy

^ what do you mean by collector's wine?

Wine that is left to age and continually increase in value.