Who likes red wine?

Question

I usually drink White or rose but have been given a bottle of Chilean merlot for Christmas off the husbands boss. Obviously im not going to wait till Christmas to drink it but i think its rather rank, A bit like vinegar and hair spray.

Answer 1

I love red wine ... but don't think I'd like the one you got, either. I'm not the biggest fan of Merlot (kinda flat-tasting to me) and I've yet to find a Chilean wine that was appealing. I agree with the vinegary taste you mentioned.

There are some pretty good (and fairly cheap!) reds from Southeastern Australia. Yellow Tail, Little Penguin, to name a few. You might like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz better than Merlot. Both are still dry, but not as suck-on-a-teabag dry as Merlot. The Shiraz is lighter than the Cabernet, but both are nice.

Answer 2

I actually prefer a dry red wine over white because I don't care for the fruity taste. For vinegery wines just decant and let it sit about 20 minutes and that should make it WHOLE lot better. If you don't own a wine decanter, just use a large glass pitcher, or something you can poor the bottle into. Give it a good spin and let it sit. Then try it. You will be amazed at how decanting will improve even a cheap bottle of red wine. ENJOY!
My favriote inexpensive red wine is Concha Y Toro, Cabernet Marquese de Casa Concha or Casillero del Diablo. Both are red, and chilean.

Answer 3

red wines are meant to be drunk when you eat food, so if a wine seems too much when you drink it by itself just carry out an experiment and see what its like when you eat something to complement it. i have never found wines to rival french wine for consistency of quality, taste flavour etc. If you want a light wine go for something young like a beaujolais, if its wine to drink when you eat cheese then try a bordeaux and if you like steak then drink a full bodied cotes du rhone. The only problem over recent years in France has been the high temperatures resulting in wines that have higher alcohol content in them which can make the wine too full bodied, if you find this to be the case go for a the less well known wines that are called vin de pays or country wines like corbieres or minervois where the alcohol level stays around 12 and a half degrees. my favourite at the moment is cotes de rousillon villages, however, i will always save up to treat myself with a st.emilion or st.estephe, two of the greatest wine making areas in France

Answer 4

It's hard for many people to switch from white to red....especially to a heavy red. People who prefer white wines like the sweetness and often the fact that it's served chilled.

If you're trying to ease yourself into appreciating red wine (and trust me, the flavors and complexities are far more complex and awesome in red vs. white), I would recommend a lighter bodied and maybe a little sweeter red like Pinot Noir.

P.S. I love red wine and merlot is my least favorite.

Answer 5

Merlot is a lovely wine. If you have a sip and don't like it then put some Sprite in it to make a spritzer or...
give it to someone else as a Christmas present!

Answer 6

I like red wine - and I like Merlot - although not Chilean. The best red wines imho are from Australia.

Answer 7

"Chilean merlot"? I doubt your husband will get a raise.
Now, as a European, I have to ask you, did you put it in the fridge before drinking it?

Answer 8

I do I like Merlot and Shiraz, favorite wine. I do liek a white zin sometimes too.

Answer 9

When applied to wine be it red, white or whatever together food and a host of other things, 'best' is the one or ones that you like the most whatever the so called experts say.

Answer 10

I prefer a nice Merlot.