red wine suggestions?

Question

I'm not a very big wine drinker. White wine like riesling or a moscato is pretty good in my opinion. I've been told red wine is great. I have tasted sangeria which I enjoyed and I've also tasted a shiraz. I've yet to try a merlot or Cabernet that I haven't found bitter or just not to my liking. I'd luv to red red wine another shot. Does anyone have any suggestions for a person such as myself who is new to red wine and seeking a more light fruitty flavor?

Answer 1

I am not a big wine drinker either because I prefer a more sweeter taste than most wines. The bad news is that a sweet red table wine is a rare thing. Port wine might be too your liking since it is red and sweet. Port is a sweet red wine with about 20% alcohol (as opposed to table wine which is usually about 13%) and rather low acidity and tannin. Ideally a good Port should have a rich spicy flavor and in spite of its 20% alcohol, taste very smooth.
Red wines....
The Beringer 1995 "Nouveau" Gamay Beaujolais or a good red Zinfandel -- the Rosenblum and Rabbit Ridge wineries in California makes some very good ones that aren't too pricey.
Or try some other sweet ones and good prices...
Pheasant Hollow Raspberry Finale....
Owl Creek Framboise Desert Wine..
Glunz Winery Raspberry Wine...
Galena Cellars Cerise Cherry Dessert Wine....

Answer 2

Pinot Noir is a good way to go, but be careful about the one you choose. As a rule, I've not found many from New Zealand that are very good, so steer clear of those. You're pretty safe w/Oregon and California. Try Mark West, La Crema, Paraiso or Willamete Whole Cluster, if you can find them. Also, try a Spanish Garnacha, which is a pretty nice, fruity wine and a nice way to transition into reds...as your palate becomes more sophisticated you will be able to graduate into Zins, Merlots and Cabs without being so turned off by them.

Answer 3

Whenever I hear light & fruity in relation to red wine, I automatically think Beaujolais. My favourite is from Georges DuBouef and you should be able to find that in most wine stores. Alternatively, since you said you liked Shiraz, try a Zinfandel (NOT A WHITE ZINFANDEL!). My recommendation on a nice entry level Zinfandel is Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel. The 2004 vintage was nice from that winery so look for it. If you prefer to stick to light and fruity reds, I wouldn't bother looking at Cabernets. Most of them tend to be heavy and well rounded and pair up really nicely with big cuts of meat but light and fruity they are not. One other grape you could look for is Gamay Noir, which is definitely light and fruity. Ontario, Canada has a couple of good offerings in that grape - look at Chateau des Charmes winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Answer 4

If you are new to drinking red wine then it may be better to start with a Cabernet Merlot. West Cape Howe do a nice one as well as Katnook.

Answer 5

It seems like you like the "sweeter" tasting wines. My fave is "Love My Goat' Red which is produced by the Bully Hill winery in New York (Buffalo Region). If you can get your hand on this I am sure you'll love it and it is fairly inexpensive ($6 to $8).
You could also tray Port, which is sweeter, thicker and higher in alcohol content than wine.

Answer 6

Chianti Classico is not really a sweet wine but it is a great red wine to pair with tomato based foods or anything that is slightly acidic. For a sweet, slightly fruity red wine Mavrodaphne is a Greek wine that is sweet without being to sweet.

Answer 7

Try Yellowtail Reserve Cabernet Savignon. It's not overpowering and it's on the fruity side and a little dry but not bitter. You'll like it. Try it with dinner and a steak.

Answer 8

If you know Kendall Jackson is the wine of choice, why not give a bottle of Kendall Jackson. Kendall Jackson has different grades from $14 a bottle to $95 per bottle.

Answer 9

Robert Mandavi private selection merlot and cabernet is a good selection.

Answer 10

Try a Pinot Noir. Lots of flavor without beeing yuck like so many reds.