Suggestions for introductory wines?

[Blackbeard's Delight]

I have never had a taste for wines, I don't know why. Maybe it's something I'd develop an interest in (or tolerance to?) over time... but it seems like I grimace with at every sip when I do try it.

The only wine I have enjoyed at all is Port wine, which I am told is a dessert wine. I do like that it is sweet (especially the cheap Taylor brand). But other than this, I have never been able to develop a taste for it.

I know wine is a classier drink, especially at certain restaurants and such. I have taken to smoking a pipe, having switched from cigarettes, and I think moving in the direction of leisure would include the grape juice too. But I am completely uneducated when it comes to wine.

Is there any brand/type of wine that may be a good entry into wine drinking? Maybe using the sweeter kinds like Port wine as a leap-off point. I am not looking to drink wine to get smashed, but more to relax and such.

Thanks in advance for any advise or tips!

[Bob the aged Lurcher]

I would suggest that it is an iterative process, ie you try if you like make a note and buy more, if not try something else. Being in the States you have access to good New World Wine, which is an excellent place to start, try a good red. I am going back to the UK soon, so I usually on my way back to work get a couple of bottles at the air port on the way to Ukraine, I still have a couple of bottles of Bordeaux. (Chateau Brannens - Graves 2008) very enjoyable. Try a rioja, Coto-de-Imaz if you get the chance.

But most importantly enjoy!

[Miles]

Your best bet would be to simply try a number of different types of wine. If you can find a tasting room near you that could be a good option. Just let them know that you are interested in learning about wine, start a conversation with the person pouring the wine. In my own experience, I've found that most folks working at a wine shop, tasting room or vineyard are only too happy to share what they know. Try the whites, try the reds, try some dessert wines, think regional, like maybe something from France, California, Australia, Spain, etc... The fun part of wine tasting is that there are so many different types and variations. Find what you like and branch out from there.

Good luck!

[ouch]

If you enjoy a sweet tasting wine but want something that's not just for dessert, try some German whites. They are among the best whites in the world.

[barrycv]

There's a million wines out there, so to give a specific brand recommendation is kinda hard. I'd offer a some general notes/advice: 1) you need not break the bank to find a good wine. There are a number of good wines out there for <$10 a bottle. Don't let price necessarily be your gauge of quality; 2) find a wine store / winery that offers tastings. You get a good variety sampling all different kinds for a good price. Great way to 'play the field' a bit to see what you do/do not like.

[pdillon]

I have been getting more into wine myself. The book "Drink This: Wine Made Simple" by Dara Grumdahl is a really good book for newbies. The book is almost set up like a course. Each chapter covers a type of grape, makes recommendations on what to drink, and helps you understand the differences.

For example, the chapter on Sauvignon Blanc recommends trying a budget variety from Washington or Oregon state, which will taste very generic, a New Zealand bottle (Nobilo, Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay, Spoonbill, anything really), which will be very fruity and have some grass taste, and a French one such as Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume (these are named after their region of origin), which will have a more subtle and mineral flavor. All the same grape, just grown in different places...

The first chapter is about Zinfandel, which she calls "the most American wine." You can get very good bottles of zin for $10-$15. You can buy top quality bottles for $35-50. That may seem like a lot (it does to me), but in wine that's a bargin. I had a bottle from a winery called Ridge that was my first WOW moment.

The book is great. My library had a copy, so I didn't even buy it. I ended up photocopying the buying recommendations and I'm now working through them.

[ouch]

If you'd like a specific and easy to find recommendation, I'd start with Lindemans Bin 65 chardonnay. It is very inexpensive, made in huge quantities, available everywhere, and terrific in every vintage.

[Luc]

As it was suggested, try a few things, don't limit yourself to 1 brand or 1 bottle. I still discover wines that I love and hate today.

As Ouch mentioned, German wines are usually a sweeter (specially Riesling or Gewürztraminer would be my pick). There are nice rosés also but that's not my cup of tea. In the red wines, well, those aren't really sweet usually. It depends if you like them light or robust.

Temperature is primordial to enjoy good wine. I mean that a white wine at room temperature will not taste good. It's usually written at what temperature you should serve the wine on the bottle. Even red wine should not be room temperature but they shouldn't be cold either.

For the red wine, I got something for Spanish wines (Rioja). Other than that, I had great Italian, Australian and Portuguese wines. Read the label and see if there's something that you like. Some will refer to cherries, raspberries, plums, etc. Others can have vanilla, smoke, tobacco, etc...

Keep in mind that you do not need to spend a huge chunk of money on a good bottle. It's not because it's cheap that it taste cheap. I had wines that were $5 a bottle and others that were over $100 a bottle. Some I would buy again and some I won't (in both ranges).

[The Knize]

There is good advice across this thread.

Going by what is said in the initial post, I am thinking start with quite easily accessible wines, and maybe something that either has some sweetness or has the impression of some sweetness, which it actually has much residual sugar or not. Also, I think most folks start liking whites more than reds.

So German whites, riesling, not gewürztraminer, I would think. Or even California rieslings. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Maybe a good Chenin Blanc, if you can find one. There used to a a lot of good California Chenin Blancs, but not anymore. And why not some dessert wines, such as ice wine, various true ports from Portugal, Muscat de Beaumes de Venis, especially the latter.

I think I would then go to simpler, soft chardonnays. Lindemans Bin 65 is a good one in this category. Then maybe softer. less expensive pinot noirs, I would say Califormia or Pacific Northwest. Then I am thinking Zinfandel, cabernet, Argentinian malbec.

In the meantime, taste whatever is being offered at tasting in wine stores, at Trader Joe's, wherever. No matter what it is. Intense reds, cheap odd ball varietals, fizzy French wines, cheap, expensive. Anything and everything.

I think what may happen is that what I am suggesting to start with, with not seem all that different than other beverages that are easy to like, but will have some elements that are specifically wine. You will probably start to like those more wine specific tastes, too. Then at some random point, you are going to taste something that just blows you away. And there will be no turning back!

Have fun, and tastes lots of different stuff!

[delamain]

I am inclined to think that you will not find much love for whites or softer reds if you've already developed a fondness for Port.

Not all palates adjust to the fortified wines; that tells me that you would probably be bored with the typical stepping stones.

I think that a big jammy Zinfandel bursting with fruit flavour would be right up your alley. They are mostly dry but they can carry a semblance of sweetness. Plus it is largely considered to be California's own - drink American while you're at it! Zins are warm and full-bodied and great for the barbecue season.

Go into any good wine shop armed with that much information, and you should get a decent bottle! I could tell you specific brands but there are many that could fit the bill. (Lodi is a decent value area for Zinfandel, and Sonoma is rife with good examples - but there are worthy choices to be found all over the state)

[acesn8s]

I have never had a taste for wines, I don't know why. Maybe it's something I'd develop an interest in (or tolerance to?) over time... but it seems like I grimace with at every sip when I do try it.

This makes me think you find what you are drinking too dry or the tannins are too much for your taste (you get a cotton mouth type feeling).

There have been a lot of good suggestions about trying sweeter wines. I found I was partial to the following grapes when I got started:
Whites: Reisling, Gewürztraminer, Viognier.
Reds: Concord, Gamy (Beaujolais), Catawba

The NY Fingerlake region has some nice sweeter wines.

[Luc]

I do not know how it is for you guys in the USA but in Quebec, French wines are imported by plane where Italian wines are imported by boat. The difference? About $3-$8 less on an Italian wine. So, unless you go locally (where I think you get taxed a lot anyways), try to have a look at how the stuff is imported. It seems that if you save on 'Shipping', it makes a good difference.

[La Mosca]

I started with Boone's Farm.

[The Knize]

I left off what may be the most obvious starter wine, as I think about it, Beaujolais. Not really sweet, but fresh and grapey, especially Beajolais noveau, which migh tbe fun for the OP.

[Acen8s did reference it in "Concord, Gamy (Beaujolais), Catawba," below. But I am not thinking of all wines that use the Gamay grape as a suggestion, only Beaujolais.]

[justinjohnson86]

I left off what may be the most obvious starter wine, as I think about it, Beaujolais. Not really sweet, but fresh and grapey, especially Beajolais noveau, which migh tbe fun for the OP.

[Acen8s did reference it in "Concord, Gamy (Beaujolais), Catawba," below. But I am not thinking of all wines that use the Gamay grape as a suggestion, only Beaujolais.]

I agree, Beaujolais Noveau is a great start, very light red wine made/produced around the End of November every year, but it doesn't stay "fresh" for more than typically 3-6 months and sometimes it gets bought out before the end of December. If you're wanting to venture more into red wines, start off with a light Pinot Noir (Mark West is a nice start from California and usually around 10-15 dollars) and go from there. I know it's been mentioned but definitely take advantage of wine tastings (especially the free ones). If you are wanting to start with White wines try a Chard like Lindemans or even a citrus-like Pinot Grigio such as Ecco Domani. Both are great starts for something that isn't sweet and cost under $10.00.

I used to only drink sweet wines, like Rieslings, Moscatos, Spumantes, etc. When I started, I went to a full bodied Cabernet and stuck it out. Now I can be considered a wine snob at times, and pair wines with food I eat on occasion. French wines (Bordeaux's and the likes) are a more complex world for the starters and come in several varieties other than the standard Cab, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandels, etc.

Sources: I used to work for an wine/liquor store, often (I mean every Saturday) partaking in wine tastings, and helping customers find that right wine to pair with their dinner.

[badgerstate]

I vote for Pink. My earliest wine experience was at about 10 yrs old and it was pink (rose to sound classy). Do not start with the pink zins, but maybe Portugese or other pinks that are "off dry", neither sweet, nor dry. Then work toward dry rose, off dry Riesling, then American style "fruit forward" whites and reds. Often liquor stores will have tatsing and its usually the more middle of the road stuff. Then again, nobody ever suffered any damage from NOT drinking wine.... Forget what I just said, stick with beer.

[ouch]

A few from my cellar, including some larger formats.

[The Knize]

A few from my cellar, including some larger formats.

So then, newbie wine tasting at your house?!

[La Mosca]

A few from my cellar, including some larger formats.

Looking at those pretty bottles all sitting on a table outside, all I could think about was how much fun I could have with my .45 pistol. Perish the thought!

[rm71]

Here is a good site to get you started

http://www.bumwine.com/