How can you tell if you pick a good red wine or not and not have to spend a lot of money?

Question

I have heard that many cheap wines have a lot of toxins .

But I want to drink a glass or two every night , so cannot afford to spend a fortune.

what is a good cheap wine (red) that you know of?
how can you tell?

Answer 1

Researchers at the University of California, at Davis tested a variety of wines to determine which types have the highest concentrations of flavonoids. Their results concluded that the flavonoid favorite is Cabernet Sauvignon, followed closely by Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir. Both Merlots and red zinfandels have fewer flavonoids than their more potent predecessors. White wine had significantly smaller amounts than the red wine varieties. The bottom line is the sweeter the wine, the fewer the flavonoids. Dryer red wines are your best bet for a flavonoid boost.

Answer 2

Supermarkets and wine shops sell some good stuff at less than a fiver a bottle.
But what one person thinks is good someone mights think is rats, so you cannot put too much store on recommendations.
Experts reckon the French make the best wine. I cannot stand the stuff. So its all a matter of personal taste.
If you want to drink regularly then consider buying a box. At about £10 it works out far cheaper than buying bottles. If you buy one you don't particularly like, you can modify it slightly by adding water or lemonade, or - horrors! - a pinch of sugar. Then try a different brand next time.
21 units of alcohol a week is considered safe and sensible drinking, and with wine that is 2 glasses a day, with 3 on Saturday and Sunday. A standard glass of wine is a single unit. Think about getting a larger glass. You can then put your feet up without having to refill! Look in the charity shops, there are lots around.
If you are drinking for your health - which it sounds like - explain to friends and family. Otherwise they might think you always have a glass in your hand and get the wrong idea.
Good hunting......

Answer 3

A good wine is one you enjoy the taste of.

I usually spend a fiver on wine at somewhere like tesco and get myself a nice rioja or shiraz.

For me it was trial and error on finding a wine I enjoy as there are so many different grape varieties.

The age also makes the wine good. You will notice when you go to a shop, the more expensive the wine is, the older it is. For a good price, you can pick up a 3 year old wine, but anything older than that is a treat!

Happy wine tasting.

Answer 4

Naplio has hit the nail right on the head with the answer given. The two Italian wines (red and white)as described in that answer, while not considered anywhere near the top of the wine drinkers league. The two stated there are, for most of us ordinary wine drinkers, a very viable and cost effective prospect. Both are very pleasing to the palette and to the pocket.
Obtainable in many supermarket outlets in the UK Notably ASDA ( 3 for £10) or ALDI (3 for £8.37) - Real value for money!

Answer 5

Go to Netto. They have a great 'Trivento' for under £3. Usually a malbec with a blend of another grape (often merlot) but excellent value. Otherwise, you're pretty safe with Cab/Sav or Merlot for around £3-£4 from the usual supermarkets.
How can you tell? Mostly it depends on your own taste buds. Smell the cork once you've taken it out of the bottle. If it smells of wine, fine. If it smells foisty that's the first sign of it being 'corked'. Taste it and if it tastes of old leaf mould etc, then it is corked and you should take it back. Frankly, such events are happily rare though certainly not unheard of. The rest depends on whether you, personally, like the wine!

Answer 6

To begin answering this question, it is necessary to define "good" in the context of wines. While opinions vary, a lot of wine connosuers favor wines made from Noble grapes over wines made from hybrid grapes. Personally, I prefer Shiraz, but there are many flavourful red wines made from Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Merlot grapes. Red wines from the Burgendy region in France also have good reputations, but, in general, are made from hybrid grapes. The real key to answering your question is to understand that you are the only one who can answer it. You have to taste a number of red wines until you find one in your price range that you think is good. In general, the higher the price, the "better" the wine, but during the past ten years, there has been a glut of good wines produced around the world, and there are some great bargains out there, if only you look. Enjoy! (Oh, yes, there are also a lot of really cheap wines out there that are undrinkable. You might want to avoid anything that tastes like vomit- Black Gum Shiraz, 2003 from Australia fits that description, and you want to avoid the bottom shelf American classic, MD20/20, they don't call it "Mad Dog" for nothing...) Always remember, you can throw it down the drain before you vomit... Right now, there is a relatively inexpensive Shiraz marketed around the world called "Yellow Tail" that is very drinkable, and can be recommended as a starting place in your quest to learn about red wines.
One respondant to your question has made a comment to which I must disagree. Somes wines have more methyl ethyl ketone and acetone in them than others. In general, these chemicals are toxic, and cause much of the discomfort we experience as hangover. Wines containing these chemicals smell more like nail polish remover than wine. These chemicals are the result of two factors, first, fermentation conditions, and second, the quality of the grapes. In general, it is safe to assume that the cheaper the wine, the higher the concentration of ketones in it. Avoid really cheap wine, and you will suffer fewer hangovers if you inadvertently overindulge...

Answer 7

Your impression that inexpensive wines have more toxins is nonsense but for sure some taste much poorer than others.

The May, 2006, issue of "Decanter" magazine - considered to be the world's best wine magazine - has a list of what its tasting staff and writes feel are the greatest inexpensive red wines available. Go check it.

Answer 8

If you go to any large store (Sainsbugs etc) and pay about £3 to £4 (pay more if you can afford it) you should get a good wine. They have a reputation to keep up, and have wine experts choosing for the stores.

Answer 9

Here's a link to the International Value Wine Awards for 2006

http://www.valuewineawards.com/index.php?key=10

http://www.valuewineawards.com/my_files/IVWA_Press_Release_7.pdf

Answer 10

Do you have a good wine shop near you? Drop in and chat ... the staff should be able to make some great recommendations ... for myself, I really like a Pinot Noir ...