Which wine is your favorite and why?

Question

I'm trying to learn to like red wine, but am not very impressed with it so far. I _hate_ the taste of alcohol, and the wines I've tasted do not mask it very well.

I've tried 5 or 6 different wines... the chianti was the most tolerable, the sangria was too sweet, and the others tasted even more like alcohol.

I'm trying to learn to like red wine because of the antioxidants in it... reservatrol and such. I'm basically looking for a defensible excuse to get drunk.

Answer 1

Asking a true wine lover won't necessarily get you the flavors you're wanting, if you don't like the bite or peppery flavor the increasing alcohol tends to impart, try for fresher wines. White wine can be a bit tart while young, but reds while young don't leave much of the peppery alcohol taste.

Merlots are usually more mellow, faint vanilla flavors. Red Zins are usually a bit spicy, but can be very intense in fruit flavors. A young Chianti is usually mild. Find a good wine store and let them know you want "young, light to medium-bodied wine." Some good specific wines like this are

Valpolicella (Italian)
St. Emilion Merlots (French)

Epicurious also has a very nice wine information section.

If you are only trying to like wine for the health benefits, fresh dark grapes and grape juice also carry many of the same benefits. As far as a good excuse to get intoxicated, beware the wine headache, it can be more intense than a hangover. A cranberry juice mixer is also good for you and you can't usually taste the alcohol. :)

Answer 2

I would recommend that you try some Pinot Noir or maybe a Merlot. Pinot is a lighter red wine, so it is easy to drink. There's a lot of Merlot out there, and that's because people like it. Also, remember to chill it a bit. Drinking red wine at "room temperature" is kind of a myth. If it is a heavy Cabernet, room temp might be ok, but for a Chianti or a Merlot, chill it to 65 or so, and for a Pinot Noir, chill it a little more.
There are a couple of Italian wines that are truly spectacular: Borolo, and Brunello. These are expensive, heavy-duty wines, though and you probably would not want to spend so much on something you might hate.
If you want to try a white wine, try a Riesling. A good one will cost < $10 and everyone likes Riesling.

Answer 3

For reds I have continually loved the Italian wines of Tuscany. I'm a fan of any wines from Antinori, Banfi, Carpineto and DaVinci. I most effective drank reds till lately (final three yrs). Again my favorites come from Italy. Just approximately any Pinot Grigio. I additionally am opening to relatively experience New York State dry Rieslings. Particularly Hosmer and Buttonwood Grove. All of the above are most commonly below $forty.

Answer 4

I no longer drink but, I used to really like Chianti with spaghetti and meatballs, I wish I could drink like a normal person but, this is not possible, at least I am aware of this and avoid alcohol, so i am able to survive.

Answer 5

You should drink a glass of red wine every day . My favorite red wine is Riunite Lambrusco. It is a soft red wine from the heart of Itlay. But will get you drunk if you drink enought of it.

Answer 6

Don't force yourself sweetheart. If you don't like alcohol don't drink it, if you want the anitoxidents drink red grape juice. Personally I'm quite keen on rioja but that could be because I live in Spain so it's cheap and easy to get hold of.

Answer 7

As Julia Child once said "I can't wait to taste ALL the wine"

Answer 8

I LOVE red zinfendal, not pink zinfandel (that crap) it is typically more fruity, sometimes called a fruit bomb in the mouth and at times quite spicey...however, i agree, with the above...if you have not acquired the taste yet..why bother? just settle with what you like. that is the most refined way to go.

Answer 9

Merlot is great with red meat and poultry because it has a medium to full bodied taste to it.

Answer 10

stop tasting different wines before you get addicted to it