Red wine recommendation for a white lover

[OvenMaster]

That pretty much sums it up. I love white wines, especially when they're very cold and really sweet. So much for taste: Blue Nun/Liebfraumilch is my speed. I also like white zins.

But I can't deny the medical benefits of reds, especially for cholesterol and dental (!) issues. So... anyone got a recommendation for an inexpensive red that will not make me unhappy? Stupid question, but do sangrias count? Any input here's appreciated.

Tom

[RichPA]

Not a specific recommendation, but ... Try a Pinot Noir, California or Pacific Northwest, chilled just a little - not as cold as you'd drink white wine, but maybe 45-50 degrees. A red Zinfandel might also work - again, lightly chilled - but they vary a lot in terms of how "red" they taste. No drinkable red wine is going to be as sweet as what you're used to, but these suggestions might get you started.

BTW, as a friend of mine says, "Life is too short for white wine" :)

[BridgedToMono]

"Life is too short for white wine" :thmbsp:

I would think about any Pinot or even a Cab/Merlot from CA, OR, WA should be relatively mild and approachable...

[OvenMaster]

Okay, thanx, fellas. Next time I'm at the liquor store, I'll see what's what. Many thanks!
Tom

[mzeitlin3348]

I am a serious red wine drinker (for over 20 years). I grew up on it - and I continue because of the heart benefits. Only two glasses per day is the key and you should stop all alcohol intake for two weeks once a year to let your liver regenerate.

The best red wine for heart health are the Cabernet's. The darker and more purple the wine, the better it is for you. Malbec and Petit Verdot's would be a close second. Stay away from 'sugary' wines. The drier the better. You will develop a taste for the fruit and not the sweetness. A great wine will not be bitter.

Cheap great wines are from Chile and Argentina. They use the same vines as our great Napa wines and Bordeaux (from France). You can drink these wines every day for $10-15.

For $20-25 you can get the Napa Cab's like Lava Cap and '14 Hands'. Great stuff for the price.

But for a treat - the 2003 Bordeaux (a cab) from France is the best in dozens of years. The year of the wine matters. 2003 is superb. Get as much of it as you can. Stay away from the high dollar lables (Chateau Margeaux, for example) which are fabulous, but you can get that same (or close) flavor from the un-marketed lables from the same region for a lot less.

Any decent wine stroe can point you in the right direction.

The key is to drink red wine every day. NOt 14 glasses on Saturday....but two per day. As you begin developing a taste, you will want better and better. And you will lose that college desire for Sangria. I can not touch the stuff any more.

[dnewma04]

Sebastiani Cabernet (2003) is very good and can be had for 12.99 at costco. I believe its either costplus or costco that bought all of the available Moon Mountain Reserve Cabernet that is extremely good for a sub 20.00bottle (normally, its 40.00+).

some inexpensive wines i tend to like are Spanish wines. Argentinian and Chilean wines can be excellent values as mentioned.

Prince Pirate is red table wine made from a mix of grapes and is consistently drinkable for around 5.00.

Bonny Doon Big House Red is another consistently good blend for under 10.00.

Beaugolais nuoveau might be a great choice to start with. 2005 was a very good year. It doesn't hold up well over time but will still be good now. George Dubeouf is probably the most famous brand, but the other varieties i tried this year were a bit better. It's typically light and fruity but not real sweet like some of the wines you mentioned. It's a great transition wine if you are seeking to get into red wine drinking.

[JimmyNeutron]

But for a treat - the 2003 Bordeaux (a cab) from France is the best in dozens of years. The year of the wine matters. 2003 is superb. Get as much of it as you can. Stay away from the high dollar lables (Chateau Margeaux, for example) which are fabulous, but you can get that same (or close) flavor from the un-marketed lables from the same region for a lot less.




Exactly! 2003 Bordeaux from France are spectacular, but can be very pricey now that the researves are tapped. Frank Phelon Bordeaux is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I would buy it by the case, it was that good. I still have quite a few in my wine cellar. My current all-around daily wine to drink is Yellow Tail Shiraz. It's cheap at about $10.00 a bottle and even Costco carries it. :thmbsp:

Jimmy

[dnewma04]

Jimmy, by all means get the Moon Mountain Reserve and Sebastiani cabs at Costco next time you are there. At 12.99, the Sebastiani might be the best cab i have had under 30.00 (retail not sale prices). The MMR is as good as any sub 75.00 cab I have had.

I'm going to have to give the Yellow Tail another try, I have had it on a couple of occassions and never found it worth buying another bottle. I keep reading good things about it, which makes me think I may have had a bottle from a bad batch.

[theodoric]

Yellow Tail is a blend from Australia that is a good, inexpensive drinking wine (blend meaning the grapes come from different places). No one seems unhappy with it.

Otherwise, we usually drink locally produced wine from Fellom Ranch Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, and Sunrise Winery.

[CortR]

If I read your post correctly, sweetness is the critical element. And, as you've evidently discovered, sweet red wines are rare indeed. There is one notable exception, however. The Greek mavrodaphne is sweet and red and genuine . Its inexpensive and very widely distributed. Look for Achaia Clauss. he last I knew it was distributed in all 50 states.

[OvenMaster]

Thanks guys. I'm saving this page for reference. Next time I'm out shopping I'll take a look for some of the wines you mention. Much appreciated.
Tom

[wineslob]

]I am a serious red wine drinker (for over 20 years). [/B] I grew up on it - and I continue because of the heart benefits. Only two glasses per day is the key and you should stop all alcohol intake for two weeks once a year to let your liver regenerate.

The best red wine for heart health are the Cabernet's. The darker and more purple the wine, the better it is for you. Malbec and Petit Verdot's would be a close second. Stay away from 'sugary' wines. The drier the better. You will develop a taste for the fruit and not the sweetness. A great wine will not be bitter.

Cheap great wines are from Chile and Argentina. They use the same vines as our great Napa wines and Bordeaux (from France). You can drink these wines every day for $10-15.

For $20-25 you can get the Napa Cab's like Lava Cap and '14 Hands'. Great stuff for the price.

But for a treat - the 2003 Bordeaux (a cab) from France is the best in dozens of years. The year of the wine matters. 2003 is superb. Get as much of it as you can. Stay away from the high dollar lables (Chateau Margeaux, for example) which are fabulous, but you can get that same (or close) flavor from the un-marketed lables from the same region for a lot less.

Any decent wine stroe can point you in the right direction.

The key is to drink red wine every day. NOt 14 glasses on Saturday....but two per day. As you begin developing a taste, you will want better and better. And you will lose that college desire for Sangria. I can not touch the stuff any more.


27 years here! :thmbsp:

The Chilean and Agentinean (sp?) are a great reccomendation. They both do Malbec exceedingly well. These people eat alot of beef and structure the wines accordingly.

I helped (hehee) my wife break the "box wine" sickness.


You might be put off with red wines at first. They are very strong in flavors and your palate will not be used to it. Try merlot at first, and work up to cabrenet/zinfandel. The Pinot's are a good choice, look for wines from the costal area of California, they are usually more toward the cherry/berry side of flavor, and low on tannins (bitter/dry taste). If you belong to costco, they usually have a good selection of wines in the 5.99 to 9.99 pricepoint.

[whoaru99]

I'm not a real big wine drinker but I think the Rosemont Estates Shiraz is OK for usually <$10. The stuff currently on the shelves seems to be 2003 vintage.

[Toka]

While it doesn't meet the 'inexpensive' requirement, I gotta say the absolute best red I've ever had was the Chianti from Casa Emma (http://www.casaemma.com/). I was in Tuscany for a wedding over the summer and we went on a wine tour...most were tourist traps, but this place was special...the guy giving the tour was one of the owners, and went intro great detail on how it all happens. You could really tell his whole life was making this wine. The 2000 reserve is to die for (actually, everything they do would qualify). Heck, their olive oil is the best I've ever had too. Just divine taste. :drool: Its super-expensive to buy the wine at a restaurant (like $300+) but its around $30-$40 a bottle if you import a case (gonna do that around Xmas). Spoiled me for life.

[streckfu]

I'm a fan of good red wines with a strong taste for the Italian Reds such a good Chianti Classico Riserva or Barolo but must admit that a very pallatable table wine is the Carlo Rossi Paisano.

I've had quite a few inexpensive decent wines lately.

Little Boomey Shiraz, Barefoot Shiraz among others that I've found at the grocer for less than $7/btle.

[OvenMaster]

*takes more notes :D *

[onepixel]

Living in Northern California I've been fortunate to able to sample some very good reds. Which I prefer over whites. But for every day drinking, wines from Chile, Argentina and even Spain are great values and some of my favorites. They are not only very good but for $5-10 you can't go wrong.

Cheers!

[Negotiableterms]

I'm not much of a drinker, so when I do have wine, I like something fairly neutral. White wine drinkers shy away from reds because of the tannins that are always in red wine, and never in white. So, to start drinking real reds (not like a white zinf or port), you go to the ones with the least tannins:

Merlot
Chianti
Shiraz.

Me, I'd head for a chianti, because they're often cheaper than the others. Merlot would be next, then Shiraz. Good luck with the adventure!

[cabinover]

Just a little tidbit for you. Beaugolais nouveau is a once-a-year production that comes out the 3rd Thursday in November, just before Thanksgiving. That's the nouveau part, you can buy just plain Beaugolais. As mentioned Debouf is one of the 2 largest for that style and usually have a very pretty flowered bottle.

Want to learn wine? Go to your local bookstore and pick up Wine For Dummies. It's a great read explaining most everything from grapes to places and easy to follow.

[jeffn]

Maybe try a Lambrusco.

Unfortunately, if you live in America your local wines will be tripe. :beatnik:

[wineslob]

Just a little tidbit for you. Beaugolais nouveau is a once-a-year production that comes out the 3rd Thursday in November, just before Thanksgiving. That's the nouveau part, you can buy just plain Beaugolais. As mentioned Debouf is one of the 2 largest for that style and usually have a very pretty flowered bottle.

Want to learn wine? Go to your local bookstore and pick up Wine For Dummies. It's a great read explaining most everything from grapes to places and easy to follow.

Very good recomendation!
Try almost anything from Debouf. (he bottles a bunch of different french styles) Most, if not all, are very good for the money.

Another one found at Grocery Outlet (Ca.) Atkinson House Merlot. It's NOT your average merlot, it's very "french", being like a merlot based Bordeaux, and needs a couple of years to mellow. Get this, it's $5.99 a bottle, and retailed at $24.00!

[MitsuMan]

Maybe try a Lambrusco.

Unfortunately, if you live in America your local wines will be tripe. :beatnik:


Yeah, that Yellowtail is some really good stuff. :yuck:

[MikeCh]

go all the way.....port. :yes:

[cabinover]

go all the way.....port. :yes:

Boy does that stuff get expensive in a hurry!! Sure is good though just slightly chilled. Couple small glasses of that and the whole world is a better place:D

Think I'll go to the local package store and partake today as a matter of fact.

[Fran604g]

If sweetish whites are what you like most, then go for the Rose wines before the reds. That's kind of an in between. I just had a Shiraz Rose that I liked alot...ROZ, I think Australian. Australian Shiraz has been a house favorite lately.

[MikeCh]

Boy does that stuff get expensive in a hurry!! Sure is good though just slightly chilled. Couple small glasses of that and the whole world is a better place:D

Think I'll go to the local package store and partake today as a matter of fact.

Agreed on the price thing. I've got just a few bottles left in the cellar, time to buy more!

[soundmotor]

That pretty much sums it up. I love white wines, especially when they're very cold and really sweet. So much for taste: Blue Nun/Liebfraumilch is my speed. I also like white zins.

But I can't deny the medical benefits of reds, especially for cholesterol and dental (!) issues. So... anyone got a recommendation for an inexpensive red that will not make me unhappy? Stupid question, but do sangrias count? Any input here's appreciated.

Tom

I think the beaujolais will put you off if you are coming from a white wine bias. Maybe not, but they could. I'd recommend one of the cheap, screw-top California blends such as Red Truck or Smashed Grapes, a cheap merlot from Two Tone Farm or Clos du Bois, or the ubiquitous Oz Yellow Tail shiraz. Probably in that order. If you pay more than $12 for any of the preceeding you've overpaid. We drink enough wine that we've devolved to the perfect $10 & under table wine and save the BV & Raymond for the truly special times.

I can't tell you which years on the merlots offhand but it is worth asking before you buy as they can go from great to spit-take pretty easily. The shiraz will be hit or miss too but the local wine seller will fess up if he has a stinker. I've yet to have a bad California blend though. They are smooth, fairly complex, and a lot of fun, especially for the price. I didn't mention the Chilean & Argentinian wines as I can't drink them. Something about the sulfite content in them does not agree with me and I end up with a brain smasher headache.

[Eunomians]

I didn't mention the Chilean & Argentinian wines as I can't drink them. Something about the sulfite content in them does not agree with me and I end up with a brain smasher headache.

It's funny you mention that. I get the same kinda headache from wine from those 2 countries. There is something odd about the South American sulphites content.


PS. I get the same type of headache from drinkin' Malt Liquor beer such as Colt 45, Shlitz, Old English, King Cobra:D

[wineslob]

It's funny you mention that. I get the same kinda headache from wine from those 2 countries. There is something odd about the South American sulphites content.


PS. I get the same type of headache from drinkin' Malt Liquor beer such as Colt .45, Shitz, Old English, King Cobra:D


Ughh, you deserve it! :nono:

(fixed, slightly :D)

[onepixel]

"Did you know that California produces over 90% of all of the wine consumed in the United States annually? And that the 25 largest wineries produce over 90% of all of the wine produced in the State each year. The remaining percentage is produced by more than 1,700 smaller producers, most of whom make 5,000 cases, or less, each year."

Most California wines are very good. They're always competing to be the best. Which raises the bar even higher.

[fujifrontier]

Stay away from 'sugary' wines. The drier the better. You will develop a taste for the fruit and not the sweetness. A great wine will not be bitter.
but i like moscato d'asti :(

even if I'm in a terrible mood it puts a magical smile on my face; it's such a delightful wine, if you don't smile when you drink it then somethings wrong with you IMO ;)

hmm, any opinions on goldschlager?

[wineslob]

but i like moscato d'asti :(

even if I'm in a terrible mood it puts a magical smile on my face; it's such a delightful wine, if you don't smile when you drink it then somethings wrong with you IMO ;)

hmm, any opinions on goldschlager?

It's not wine? Hate it.

[fujifrontier]

lol i suppose i'll have to start another thread... 'hard liquor'