What's new

Non wine drinker wanting to try wine

I was at the doctors a few weeks ago complaining of chest pain and we eventually nailed it down to beer giving me heart burn! (So much for making my own beer now :mad3:)

Anyway I'm looking for something other to drink than beer and would like to try wine as it seems that everyone drinks it, or that it's the in thing right now. I've tried wine before and didn't like most of them as they were too bitter and dry. Made my mouth pucker and I don't like that from something I'm trying to enjoy. I do however like the sweeter ones a bit more.

I have no idea about the names or varieties of wine or anything. Can someone point me in the right direction?
 
Lots of good options, but I'd suggest starting with a white wine such as a Riesling. Hogue makes a variety that's perennially good, yet affordable.

proxy.php
 

ouch

Stjynnkii membörd dummpsjterd
If you like sweeter wines, look to Germany. Anything with Kabinett, Spatlese, or Auslese on the label should do. :thumbup1:

They're some of the finest whites in the world.
 

ouch

Stjynnkii membörd dummpsjterd
Here are some wines that can cause indigestion-
full
 
Last edited by a moderator:

ouch

Stjynnkii membörd dummpsjterd
A great recommendation for a can't miss, cheap white is Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay. Should run about six bucks, can be found anywhere, and is always consistent.
 
Lots of good options, but I'd suggest starting with a white wine such as a Riesling. Hogue makes a variety that's perennially good, yet affordable.

proxy.php

I agree. A semi-dry Riesling may be the way to go. They make some world class ones in the NY Finger Lakes region, though that's a bit of a hike from Manitoba!
 
here's a crash course on all i have learned about wine in the last year. I'm no expert, just offering some help to either you, or someone else who knows even less (as you may know some of this since you have tried wine before.)

There are tons of different kinds of grapes (called varietals), but only a handful make up 90+ percent of all wine. Each varietal has distinct characteristics that are a signature for that type of wine (sweetness, acidity, lightness, grassy smells, etc.). However, all wines labeled "chardonnay" are not the same. The goal of beer is theoretically that if you buy a Guinness in the USA or in England, they should taste the same. It's a formula. Wine is the opposite. Just because the same grape is used, all sorts of factors affect its taste (amount of sun, cold weather, soil of land, the winemaker's experience, etc). An "identical" wine will taste different from vineyard to vineyard or even within the same vineyard if the bottles are from different years. That's all part of the fun of wine tasting (a lot like our day to day shaves, sometimes all the same factors and you still get different results.).

Now the varietals are separated into red and white wines (Blush, Rose, and pink wines are made from red varietals). For reds the most important ones are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Shiraz (Syrah). For the whites we have Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc (Pinot Grigio), Riesling. Knowing these will get you far.

For reds a heavy bitter wine (pair it with steak) is Cabernet Sauvignon. Middle of the road leads to Merlot and Pinot Noirs. These can be paired with tons of meals too. Zinfandels tend to be spicier. I guess the sweeter reds may be the Syrahs and maybe a Malbec.

For whites, Sauvignon Blanc is usually acidic, smells like citrus and cut grass. Chardonnays I don't like. Most think of butter or buttered popcorn, but that is actually due to the oak barrels they are stored in. Chardonnays seem to vary in flavor a lot, but they are usually not considered sweet. Pinot Blanc are a mix of spiciness and acidity. Rieslings, especially the Spatlesse are sweet (Kabinnett actually means dry (the opposite of sweet)). Chenin Blancs are usually sweet too.

Now the pink wines are mostly very sweet. So much so that some wine snobs won't even go near it as they feel its like drinking coca-cola (what's wrong with a soda?!?). Not all are sweet, but a good majority are.

Wines are further divided into Old World (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) and New Wordl (USA, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, South Africa). this simply means that either the country has an established wine making history or they are fairly new at producing wine. Great deals can be found in both new and old world. Don't be put off by fancy labels from France or cheaper labels from South Africa. Their wines can be great and can be affordable or extremely expensive.

Now very quickly, the vast vast vast majority of New world wines will labels the type of varietal that is predominant in the wine. So you will see lots of California bottles that state Zinfandel clearly on the label. Old world wines are mostly a mixture of different varietals. The labels rarely state the grape, and instead the name of the vineyard will appear, as their philosophy is that the location makes the wine great, not the grape itself. However, they are mostly made from the same varietals i mentioned above.

As far as best places to buy certain wines:
Zinfandel (California)
Cabernet Sauvignon (California, Bordeux (France))
Merlot (California, Bordeux (France))
Pinot Noir (Burgundy (France), Oregon)
Malbec (Argentina); Syrah (Rhone Valley (France); Australia)

Chardonnay (Burgundy (France))
Sauvignon Blanc (Loire Valley (France), New Zealand)
Riesling (Germany, Alsace (France), Washinton State))
Pinot Blanc (Alsace (France), Italy (Known as Pinot Grigio))

The list is of course not exclusive and good value is found elsewhere. Hope this helps you or the next guy looking to try a glass of wine.
 
72lbs post was well stated. If you go to a place like bev mo or total wine, ask one of the workers. Some gupscale grovery stores like Whole foods, AJ's, and Trader Joes usually have a specalist that can usually gauge what you like by previous experience, or no experience at all. When I bought my first bottle, I told the guy what kind if taste profile I liked in beer, and it worked for the ones he suggested for me. He told me I would like a strong Cab, and he was right.
 

ouch

Stjynnkii membörd dummpsjterd
Learning about wine can take years, but it really all comes down to two things- reading and tasting.
 
A great recommendation for a can't miss, cheap white is Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay. Should run about six bucks, can be found anywhere, and is always consistent.

agreed here. lindemans is a solid value for people newly introduced to wine. it was their shiraz that initially sparked my interest.

if i were you, i'd call up these places, or plan to check them out next time you're in town

http://www.yelp.ca/search?find_desc...478893274,-96.932373046875,49.960055395800424

ask them if they ever have "tastings" (party-style events where you sample different wines) or serve "flights" which would be sets of four or five small glasses of similarly themed (same grape, or same region of the world, or the same winery from different years) wines for you to taste on your own.

tell them you're new to wine, but interested to learn. you're looking for a place with friendly, knowledgeable people, but not snobby. hopefully they have a comfortable bar or cozy booths where you can relax, and maybe chat a little with the bartender or sommelier (wine guy) if they're not too busy. once you've found a place where you're comfortable, just start trying stuff.

72lbs hit the nail on the head in that there are some general themes that help us classify how a wine might taste based on where it is grown or what type of grape is used, but there aren't many constants or rules. so the only way to eventually find the good wines is to keep trying different things until you start finding things you like. wine bars can allow you to taste lots of different wines without committing to a whole bottle up front.

i've had a lot of fun drinking these wines

http://chwine.com/

cameron hughes is a guy who buys surplus wine from all over the world and resells it under his own company/label. this is not a new idea, but he's one of the more successful to distribute online and through costco. the fun for me is that i feel like i'm getting a bargain (who knows if i actually am or not), i'm always trying something new, and this guy's taste in wine seems to match up with mine--i like most of the stuff he picks.

my favorite wine bar has one of these on the wall

http://www.delongwine.com/wgvt.php

i see it as more of a novelty than an actual reference, but it helps us visual learners start to categorize some of the different wines in our heads
 
Last edited:
I've only started to enjoy wine in the last year or so and have to agree with the recommendation of a Riesling. I haven't had too many, but I have to say that the Canadian, particularly Niagara Region, rieslings I have had are pretty good and usually cheap, at least here.
 
If you're not accustomed to wine I suggest you go to a reputable wine store and ask for a wine that is not overly dry or high in alcohol, one that is low in acid and fruit forward. I don't care for whites and wouldn't recommend you start with them myself but that's a matter of taste, I guess.

I think California Zinfandel's are a good place to start (Red, not white Zin). Blends will also be easier on the new palate. Try "Big House" red, or white (California).

Lastly, have some sharp chedder or other strong cheese while you're enjoying your wine. It will change the way your mouth recieves the wine and make the experience more enjoyable. There's a reason people have wine and cheese parties :)
 
For a sweeter, fruitier white, try a gewürztraminer. Not a terribly well-known variety, but there are a few excellent ones from Oregon. I got into wine when I lived up there and discovered it as part of sampling the locals. Another local I came to love up there (of course) was pinot noir. I'd recommend anything from the Willamette Valley. I was lucky to live up there!

Needless to say, I also partook heartily in the local beers, as well. :biggrin:

And I don't know if it'd help, but I KO the occasional heatburn with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water. It's an acquired taste, but it puts the fire out immediately.
 
you may find that if beer gives you heartburn or indigestion, wine will do so far more. that was my experience, especially with white varieties.

the only drink that would not give me heartburn was a good whiskey.

if you are set on wines ... stick to the sweeter or middle of the road reds. The US seems to have some decent reds.

If you can get it, try a South african pinotage ... very unique varietal that only seems to grow well here ... look for the Kanonkop estate, they do export and are excellent producers of it
 
As a beer drinking, 25 year old university party animal I really never thought I would ever really be able to enjoy a glass of wine the way I enjoyed a nice cold pint. I have tattoed sleeves, I enjoy metal music, I am an avid hockey and baseball fan, and I'm an avid snowboarder during the winter season - not exactly who you would expect to take an interest in wine drinking and cellaring. I only point this out because if I can take a fond interest in wine drinking, you probably can as well (no matter how much you enjoy beer or how weird you feel holding a long stemmed glass in public, lol)

In my 4th year of university I had an elective credit to burn and decided to take the entry level class to the Oenology and Viticulture degree (vine growing and wine production). I thought it would be a "bird" course and that I could maybe catch a little buzz on class time once per week. But this class was challenging and for whatever reason, right from the start I found myself taking a real interest in wine because I was learning a lot about it.

Without a doubt I attribute my interest in wine today to take an entry level wine class with wine tastings every week. I truly hated the experience of wine before taking this class, but over a 6 month period I was truly able to develop an appreciation for wine by acquiring knowledge about it's history and historical significance, the wide selection of varietals, production techniques, different producers, geographical locations, ect... If you are assisted by and experience wine taster, they will help you to develop your senses and identify all the different characteristics that make wine so enjoyable.

Wine is a fantastic hobby and great for your health (if you aren't getting sauced everyday). I would highly recommend investing free time into taking some sort of entry level class, especially one offered by a university/college or local "fine" wine sales specialist. And if you have a wife or girlfriend, it's a great way to spend some time together and to get her to support your recreational drinking habit :lol: Wine really is great on it's own (much like a beer) but it's extremely surprising how much the right wine can enhance and compliment food during a meal. I have yet to come across an indulgence more satisfying than a grilled halibut fillet with a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc :thumbup:

I could talk about wine all day long. If you are interested, send me a PM and I'll dig up the name of a great educational text book with pictures (but doubles as a great coffee table book too) that helped to peak my own interest in wine when I was starting out.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom