I need a recommendation for wine to drink over casual conversation.?

Question

I'm having a girl over, and I need a good red wine. I'd like to spend less than 40 dollars.

Answer 1

The two red wines that I rely on for conversation, especially when the wine is to be enjoyed by itself without food, are merlot and pinot noir.

Merlot suggestions:
1) Marques de Casa Concha Merlot from Concha Y Toro in Chile is a consistent performer year after year. Ripe, smooth, fruity, not too tannic. Comes in under $20. The 2001 was on Wine Spectator's top 100 list.
2) Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot from Washington State. Another consistent performer. Lots of fruit and a peculiar candy or caramel on the nose. I can't believe their annual production of this wine is over 100,000 cases! Again, usually under $20.

Pinot suggestions:
1) Hard to find a truly great pinot under $40, but a surprising value is Mandolin from California, which usually sells for around $15.
2) King Estate from Oregon usually retails around $30.

Cheers!

Answer 2

Any wine for $40 is going to be good. Why are you worried? It's the $10 price point that gets hard to find quality in.

To make a specific recommendation, I would need to know where you live. In markets such as San Francisco, LA, New York, Washington DC and Boston, you can find just about any wine. But in other markets, it can be tricky to find a specific wine (good wines are made in small quantities).

So I am refering you to a broad list, not knowing what city you live in. Here is Wine Spectator Magazine's list of the Top 100 Wines of 2006:

Answer 3

listed less than are some strong, basic ingesting, i.e. yet no longer too adventurous wines. None of them are over $20 a bottle, in reality, the final public are less than $15 - wish you want them... For Reds: Cabernet (the pink for authentic wine drinkers!): Geyser top McManis Lockwood Robert Mondavi Sebastiani Canyon Bogle BV Vineyards Columbia Crest Kendall Jackson Lockwood Pinot Noir (France and the Willamette Valley in Oregon are spectacular manufacturers): Cristom Argyle Buena Vista citadel Rock Kendall Jackson Martin Ray Tabali Estancia Mark West Acacia Blackstone Firesteed Merlot (Sorry, i'm no longer like the guy in Sideways - i like Merlot! HA!): Kendall Jackson Rodney strong Beaucanon Bogle Francisan Estancia Zinfandel (California makes the most acceptable Zin): Bogle Pedroncelli R&B Estancia Gnarly Head Ravenswood Shiraz (or Syrah - I actually have chanced on that Australia makes tremendous Shiraz) Columbia Crest Hardy's Kangaroo Ridge Columbia Crest Rex Goliath Malbec (often neglected - South u.s., i.e. Chile and Argentina take advantage acceptable): Bodega Burton Don Rodolfo Gascon Viu Manent Budini ok, sufficient to get you all started? savour! Edit - why might want to someone provide me a thumbs down in this answer - I gave particular examples and varieties to attempt, all less than $20???

Answer 4

try a pino noir...leaping lizard is pretty good and cheap. Sebastianti is another great one. Stay away from Merlot because they are mostly heavy in flavor and the ladies tend to like light fruity wines. Kendall Jackson pino is an always go to because every liquor store will have it. a Australian Shiraz would be good too...Pensfold is a great name brand. NEVER need to pay more than 25 bucks for a wine unless you are at a restaurant, and besides if your female friend is impressed because you spent alot on a wine, she is probably high maintenance. Anyway Enjoy

Answer 5

Franzia -- a wine of the finest quality and the one true choice of wine connisseurs all around the world

Answer 6

A nice Merlot. However, I perfer to serve a nice white wine, Reisling

Answer 7

Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot is a very good inexpensive wine. Not very strong, but most girls love it's smooth, sweet taste.

Answer 8

I would suggest either a Cabernet-Sauvignon or a Pinot Noir, and Yellow Tail is my favorite vineyard. My only other concern is if she enjoys red wine. Make sure you get something you both will like. :-)

Answer 9

South African Claret ,you cant go wrong there or chilean red wine

Answer 10

Plum wine isn't red but it's sweet and tasty and not costly