Red wine connoiseurs...?

Question

What is the best Shiraz, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon under a tenner, and where do you purchase your wine from?
Also, what does Rioja taste like?
Thanks for your time

Can anyone tell me what Rioja is like - I've heard it's deeper and oakier than Shiraz, or Merlot, which can be a little 'watery' - am I correct?
I quite like deep, oaky, chocolately wines but am not used to sourcing them myself/ looking at the labels, more's the pity...

Answer 1

I'm a wine model and seller and recently I served two great wines you might like.
A Cab-Sauv from Smoking Loon--Its great because you get a full burst of juicyness. Its very berryful and has wonderful undertones of chocolate and cinnamon. I loved it and merlot lovers were buying two or three bottles of it!
Also there was a Fish Eye Shiraz (they come in boxes or in bottles) that was great! Not too dry, they are made so that you can enjoy them without to much dry! THey had a nice sweetness and no bitter back taste, rather the back taste was like cola and black cherry! Great Great
Now I would also recommend a YellowTail Reserve! THey are wonderful. My bf who does not like reds loved the Merlot from Yellow Tail...I told all my tasters it was reminiscient to Black Forest Cake because it was dark chocolate, black cherry and velvety vanilla, smooth and delicate. Its sure to please all even you! However it is a little dry, but juicy before it gets dry.

I'm repeating this answer from another one!

And I'll add that any Reserve from Yellow tail is wonderful!

Answer 2

Ohhhh the JC Shiraz Cabernet is great it's only around a fiver a bottle. I love it. I also love a good Shiraz Merlot but good ones are often hard to come across, the mix is quite hard to come by I once got a 'bear crossing' brand of Shiraz/Merlot for about £6 it was absolutely gorgeous. May I also recommend a Chateau Haut-Nouchet... they have currently a 'grand reserve 2004 vintage' of this wine, which boasts 100% organically grown grapes in Waitrose. It is usually 12.99 I think it is currently on promotion at 9.99. Don't you find French wines are the best?? Especially the red's. I know they are a little more expensive than the 'new world' wines but so much nicer. I am only twenty one but love a good bottle of wine! xx

Answer 3

Listen I love Merlot and by the way if you are near Albertsons they have French Merlot on sale for around seven dollars. However Rioja...................absoluely divine. What is good about it? It goes with anything, it does not have an abundance of tanines so you can drink it on its own (like Merlot). It is fruity, it is deep and flavourfull, you get a deep fruit wine taste and not an alcohol kick back when you swallow. it comes from Rioja region of Spain. They are very particular about the standard of Rioja that is exported. You should be able to get it under a tenner (UK). If you don't want to try then I would go for Mouton Cadet Merlot. I puschase emy wine from many places, including Washington State who surprisingly make a great champagne. My favorite wines o nthe whole are French except Rioja.

Answer 4

Rioja Reserves are delish, But I'm a Merlot Lover true and true, my fav is Casa Diablo, its a Chilian, its about €10-€12 per bottle.

But I need to get out of Merlot rut everynow and then, so Merlot mixed with Cab Sav (its ariston bay I think) is beautiful. Also try a Cote du Rhone for a change,

I usually get mine from the supermarket, and maybe some one else can tell you if this is true but apparently the deeper the 'hole' in the bottle the better the wine, so avoid all flat bottom wine bottles and you'll be grand.

Answer 5

The thing is, good is what you like! Some people wont drink wine thats under 20 quid a bottle or much more. I myself have tastes many wines at under a fiver that have tasted absolutely fantastic. The best advice I can possibly give you is to try them all for yourself, only you know what you like. If you are unsure, start with a Merlot. These tend to be a little lighter and not as powerful or full bodied, and maybe easier on your pallet if you're not used to drinking red wine. Haddows and victoria wine, as well as major supermarkets such as tesco and asda regularly have good deals like 3 for a tenner, that could let you try a few for starters. PLease dont think yo uhave to spend a fortune to get nice wine, its simply not the case.

Enjoy!

Answer 6

i get a beautiful shiraz from morrisons, Flora de Canta its chilean and a great buy at three fifty a bottle. Spanish Rioja is a very powerful wine a great favourite of mine. and i would say that the reservas are the best. but the pricing is fairly accurate regarding the quality of the wine. bottoms up. (the glass of course).

Answer 7

Look out for Evans & Tate Shiraz ( Aus) - can find at Asda , any Australian Margaret Rivert Cabs, Avoid the South Africans and Chileans, and a French Burgundy (£7-9) is always a good bet
Enjoy!!

Answer 8

Take too long to answer about these four wines. I get mine from the Virgin wine club, best wine for the money I've ever had! You won't need to spend a tenner either. Six or seven quid gets you a real cracker.

Tell that nice Mr Branson I recommended you...

Answer 9

We have just returned from living in Spain after 10 years.......and I love my wine....Red wine that is....Everyone has there choice...We are still drinking what we brought back with us....Which is a Rioja....There are many Riojas, all have different flavours and strength...Some are very expensive..and not being tight..I think its a RIP off, especially in England as the tax puts the price to a ridiculous level.........We bought the one we like from Lidel in Spain...Its called " Monte Cielo" It is not heavy or full bodied as these tend to give me head aches.......The price was.....wait for it.......................1euro 65c............About £1.20....yes.......I am not sure if you can get it here from L idel, but you can try ......To finalise, all I can say is try different types, until you find the one you like....".Expensive Though"..........As for the others...I'm sorry I cant tell you.......

Answer 10

some of the shiraz are the best if you can only have cheap wine. I would not buy a cheap Merlot.