Wine Drinking. What's a good wine to start with?

Question

My husband and I have decided we would like to start drinking wine occasionally. Not like socially or to get drunk. We're thinking maybe once or twice a week with dinner. We know that red wine goes with meat and white with fish and chicken. My question is, what's a good white wine to begin with? We don't want something that stinks of alcohol. We'd prefer something sweet and that has a nice taste to it. Same question for red wine.

Answer 1

You're asking very good questions, but you're asking them to people who may recommend a wine you cannot get where you are.

I suggest taking a couple of hours this Saturday and go wine shop hopping. Many wine stores have wine tastings on Saturdays - they are usually sponsored by a wine distributor who will be pushing their products, but you get a sniff and a taste of some of the wines available. It will also give you the opportunity to scope out who has the better selections and fresher stock (if there is dust all over the bottles and it is hot as a sauna, find another store).

Don't feel pressured to buy what you're tasting - if you don't like it, say thanks but it's just not for me and move on.

Also, find someone who works in each shop and tell them exactly what you said in your post - you want something fruity and not too dry, drinkable and with a nose (wine-ese for smell) that doesn't smack of grain alcohol. Also mention what you plan to eat it with (and there are plenty of red wines that go beautifully with fish, red zinfandel for example) and how much you'd like to spend ($10 a bottle is a good average). Try to guage the merchant's response - does he lead you right to a bottle and explain why he thinks it's a good choice or does he look around lost for 2 minutes. If he leads you to a huge bottle of wine that sells for $9.99 or a small bottle for $26.00, move on to another store. Also, don't feel pressured to buy more than one bottle of a particular type of wine - if you hated it you're more than likely going to be stuck with the other bottle.

If you find a merchant you like, seems knowledgable, keeps the room temperature on the cool side and recommended something you liked, you have found a good place to shop. Keep notes of what you tried and what you did and did not like.

Happy tasting!

Answer 2

Depending on where you live there may be a slight problem of finding my suggestions because mine are pretty regional wines.

For anything sweet, I would try Dessert wines. I love the Blackberry wine by Oliver Winery from Indiana. This is a red wine. I also like their white Camelot Mead. Their Soft Red, Soft White, and Soft Rose are great too. These all have a nice sweetness to them and it doesn't leave that 'dry' after taste.

In the MidWest, the sure bet for me is St. Julian's Blue Heron which is a white wine. I also like the Red Heron - red wine version. These are sweet wines.

I really do recommend going to a vineyard with your husband and just spend a few hours to taste test some of the wines. They will tell you where to start from the dry wines to sweet wines. You can also do a Google and see if any resturants in your city have wine tasting nights. Order flights which are several small glasses of different wines to test out what you might like. It takes a while to find something you'll like but it is fun, a great way to meet people and spend time with your husband.

Answer 3

A sweet white wine will only really go with a dessert. The best idea is to go to a supermarket and have a look at what it says on the labels of the wine bottles. Most will say something like "Best enjoyed with fish or chicken dishes or can be drunk on it's own". Something like a Cabernet Sauvignon is probably a good place to start although they can be quite "dry" which is not a bad thing. For a fruitier taste something like an Australian Semillon Chardonnay might suit you better. For red wines I'd advise the same - look at the labels. Don't be fooled into buying the most expensive wine you see on the shelves. Look for bargains where the wine is reduced in price but is a reputable make like "Hardy's" or "Wolf Blass". Experiment and enjoy.

Answer 4

I would definitly go to a wine tasting in your area. This is a fun way to learn.. These are some of my favorite starter wines. You can get most of them at relatively good prices Chardonnay- La Crema- It has a smooth butteriness. Pinot Grigio-Santa Margherita- I like this one because it has a nice freshness reisling- Pacific Rim by Boonie Doon. This is a drier white reisling, but it is sweet too rose-Toad Hollow- This one is very light and easy to drink Red Zinfandel- Cardinal Zin is a great red wine. Has some spiciness to it Pinot Noir's are my favorite-Acacia, Erath, There are some good ones from the Williamette Valley as well Big house Table red is good and inexpensive Coppola has a good cabernet I am not a big Merlot fan, but it is a good wine to start with as it is lighter. Some of the Merlot/Syrah blends are pretty good. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 5

A good white to start with would be something like a Chard maybe. Pinot Grigio is anotehr good choice, try Cavit Pinot Grigio. A Relisling is another good option. My personal favorite and the first white I started drinking was Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc, it is like, has a very nice taste and is a qulaity wine at a good price.

Answer 6

Any Beaujelais is a nice one for Red (France). Its full bodied and has a slight fruity taste. Its not as dry as many reds. I also find it goes with most dishes.

I dont know white wine but most white is sweet compared to red.

Answer 7

Merlot is a nice red wine.After you open the bottle,wait about 10 minutes before you pour and drink.White wine,many people like Chardonnay.

Answer 8

Kris Pinot Grigio

Answer 9

White Zinfandel is the easiest on the pallet - a great sipping wine as well - comes in strawberry flavor, too. Riesling is a great mild/fruit tasting experience. Now don't forget the best white wine for celebrations, etc - Asti Spumonte!!!!! (a personal favorite of mine!)

Answer 10

http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0909winebeginner0909.html