when choosing a wine what do i look for?

Question

i'm looking for an answer more than "whatever you like, every person is different." i don't really know too much about wine and like to try wine that i haven't had yet, and i have been disappointed more than i'd like!

Answer 1

Do you have a particular country in the world that you would like to try their wine from (i.e. USA, France, Canada, Australia)? Each country and each region within that country has a wine that they are best known for. For example, in New Zealand, it's a Sauvignon Blanc. In the US, try Zinfandel (not White Zinfandel) in California and Pinot Noir in Oregon. In Canada, Ontario is better at white wines in general but lighter reds also do well here. In France, depending on what region depends on what you should get.

My suggestions for good tasting, solid reputation wines are:

R.H. Phillips Toasted Head Chardonnay (California)
Ravenswood Lodi Vineyard Zinfandel (California)
Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc (Ontario, Canada)
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery Baco Noir (Ontario, Canada)

Each of these wines are good tasting and the winemakers never miss on these. They are all constantly winning awards and they are all, for the most part, reasonably priced. The Zinfandel from Ravenswood would probably be your most expensive but that is because it is from a single vineyard and not a mix of the different vineyards Ravenswood uses.

Start out with the suggestions I made above and rather than buying your wine from the local supermarket, buy it from a wine shop that has friendly, knowledgable staff because down the road, once they have learned what you like, they can better recommend something that suits your tastes.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, the answer with the information you've given us is, 'whatever you like, every person is different'. Sorry!

Your best bet is to go to some wine tastings and try some different wines. Read the tasting notes and try to pick the flavours and attributes out in the wine so that you can decide what notes you like and dislike. Remember, just because you don't like X brand Shiraz, this doesn't mean that all Shiraz will taste like that one.

Once you have narrowed down what you like & dislike, ask the wine store operator to help you pick out some wines. Some you will like, some you won't. Keep a wine journal (I use a small hardback notepad from Target that cost under $4) detailing both kinds of wines (yeas and nays) and what you like/dislike about them. Keep track of Varietal, Year, Winery, Vineyard (some wineries have the same type of wine like Pinot Noir, but have several vineyards), price, colour notes (dark, light, rusty, plum-like), smell notes, and tasting notes.

Blends are also a good way to start out with wines. Some are very inexpensive and tasty, but you have to be careful when purchasing inexpensive wines. Quality does sometimes (frequently) relate to price in inexpensive wines. For every good wine under $15 I've had, I've had probably a dozen that were not so hot. My favorites for pure drinkability in comparison to price are:

Cycles Gladiator Syrah
Amberhill Cabernet
Six Prong Red
House Red
Pepi Sangiovese
Reuscher Haart Reisling
Maryhill Viognier
Chiaramonte

All these are under $15 and incredibly drinkable at that price.

For more expensive ones try, but still under $50:

Fontelloro Red (around $35)
Goose Ridge Syrah (between $20-$30)
Any Raymond Cabernet or Merlot ($25-$40)
Archery Summit Cuvee Pinot Noir ($35-$40)
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay ($35-$45)
Shotfire Ridge Shiraz ($20-$40)
Maryhill Reserve Sangiovese (around $25)
Boroli Barolo 2000 (around $50)

Also you can look for 'ratings' to help you with your decisions. Wines that rate 87 and above (through any magazine) are typically worth a try, especially if they are at a great price point. You may disagree with the rating, but it can be helpful when buying a wine you've never tried before. That being said, no rating or a poor rating doesn't mean that any given wine is going to taste bad. It's all based on opinion; some of my favorite wines are not rated highly (like a 76) and some are rated extremely well (like a 98). Ratings are just a helpful guide, not the end all say all on if *you* will like a wine.

One final resource would be the wine spectator home page. They have daily picks, at three different price points, right there that may get you started in the right direction.

Good luck to you and have fun! : )

Answer 3

Well, reputation has a lot to do with it. Buying from a trusted vintner means you should be getting a nicely made wine. However, there are many gems out there.

Australia is making very good Shiraz (sometimes called Syrah in US). Pinot Noirs and Pinot Grigios from Oregon and Washington State are really good. Cabernets and Merlots from Argentina and Chile are really emerging. I like Amador County California for true Zinfandels and Barberas, even their Sangiovese is quite good. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is a good buy. These wines can usually be had for an inexpensive price. If you want to spend more, try the wines from the Napa Valley or Sonoma County California. One of the best t-shirts I ever saw was in Sonoma. It said "Sonoma makes wine, Napa makes auto parts."

Cabernets are for your heartier meat dishes, i.e. steaks and roasts.
Merlots and Barberas are a little lighter and much fruitier. Really good with chocolate. Oh my, wine and chocolate. Does it get any better?
Zinfandel (not the ugly 'white zin' but a true red) is a bold wine that goes well with spicy food. It's a bit peppery and when you eat spicy foods with it you get these little explosions going off in your mouth.
Shiraz is a little sweeter for me and I have been on the Shiraz bandwagon for a while now. I find it to be greatly underestimated and not geting the respect it deserves.
Pinots are lighter still and go well with dishes like lamb.
Whites like Chardonnay are too sweet for me but many like them.
Sauvignon Blanc is superb with chicken or turkey. Chardonnay would work here too.

As for dessert wines, I don't really care for them so I can't help you much there.

Good luck.

Answer 4

if your looking at the bottom of an empty wine bottle that was good wine if itits still mostly full it wasnt try cheap wine boones farm snow creek berry no dissapointment there

Answer 5

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Answer 6

mad dog 20/20 cheap fine white wine about 3.50 a bottle

Answer 7

i don't drink wine but maybe chardonnay!