Me and my husband would like to buy a bottle of wine and have a dinner to ourselves. We dont want the wine to taste dry or have that icky wine taste. We both agrreed on a purple grape flavoured. Any suggestions...and nothing super expensive.
2007-11-16 10:13:46 · 4 answers · asked by Tre 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
You're in luck since the sweeter the wine, often the less expensive. Everything I am going to list is usually under $10 to $15 depending on where you live.
Sounds like you may be looking for a "Blackberry Merlot" or a wine made from Concord Grapes. They are out there but wine snobs don't even consider these true wines because they are on the sweet side (about as sweet as an Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail from the grocery store). Other products in this category are the Arbor Mist line, which I usually call "wine soda" because it is both sweet and carbonated. Another carbonated wine that is a true wine (with a cork and all that) is a Moscato d'Asti, from Piedmont Italy under the "Bartenura" brand/label, which is a very sweet white wine (almost as sweet as grape juice) and is never ever over $10 a bottle. Wine snobs out there would jump on me for recommending any of those to you.
If you are looking for other wines that are more of a true wine, try a Forrest Glen White Merlot from California, or any red wine made from the Sangiovese grape. Now Sangiovese wines are "real" wines, and have a tannic and "up your nose" quality that all "real" wines have. You can get a good Sangiovese from "Melini" or "il Bastardo" for under $10 as well. My best advice to you if you're unsure about this one, is to try a glass of Chianti at a bar or restaurant and see if you like it, as Chianti is made from the Sangiovese grape.
Finally, a type of Japanese Sake called "Ni-go-ri" is also very sweet, because of starches in rice being converted into sugars. It's a milky color, and in my opinion very sweet, and if you are having any kind of fish or shrimp dish, you may want to give this a try. Of everything I've recommended, it's the highest in alcohol content as well.
The best wine in the world is the one that you like. Don't let anyone tell you different.
2007-11-16 10:42:19 · answer #1 · answered by James 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually for non-drinkers, I like to suggest white wines, which are not as alcoholic and does not have tannin (ie not too dry and bitter). Several suggestions:
1) Sauvignon Blanc - which is a nice fruity, not so dry, slightly sweet white wine, well liked and well made in California. Sauvignon Blanc is a nice priced wine that I like to use to introduce people to wine, since they don't have the acidity and driness of Chardonnay nor the tannin bite of red wines. I would suggest Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc ($15-18), Chateau St. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc ($12-14). If you want to go higher price, try Caymus Conundrum ($22-25). Personally I love to start out with Conundrum because it is so good and so smooth. I recently got my new girlfriend and her entire non-wine drinking family to love Conundrum.
2) Viogneir - which is a French grape also made by some Californian wineries. These are not as sweet as Sauvignon Blanc, but equally as floral in smell and taste. It also has the crispness that I like in chilled white wine. Try Miner Viogneir ($20), Fess Parker Viogneir ($25).
3) Riesling - a wonderful German white wine. There are several different classes, so you will have to ask the salesperson, but some are sweeter and some are less sweet. The key is to look at the alcohol content - the higher alcohol, the less sweet. You want to find Riesling with less alcohol for your purpose. I would suggest some German Riesling such as Gunderloch (personal favorite is about $60, but there are a variety of other types), Leitz (again, personal favorite is about $30/half, but lots of variety), Strub ($25-35). Also can try some US Riesling, such as Wilamette Valley Riesling ($15), Chateau St. Michelle Riesling ($15).
Good luck
2007-11-17 10:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now, at a wine store near you, you should be able to find a Merlot Marquès de Casa de Concha 2005 or 2006. The rating is 90 on Wine Spectator for both of them.
It is a full bodied wine, full of red currant, blackberry and a moka finish.
A beautifull wine for less than $15.
2007-11-16 21:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lambrusco falls into that category. At least it's not Mogen David. They both taste like grape juice but still have the alcohol which you can't taste.
2007-11-16 18:17:58 · answer #4 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋