Red Wine Help!

[pbibby]

Hey FOH,

I would like some help with getting into the world of red wine. I am a newb when it comes to wine. I struggle to understand all the regions and different grapes(I am especially clueless to wine outside of the United States, with the exception of Chianti, which I LOVE.) Basically my knowledge is that "good wine comes from Napa Valley". Obviously I know that's not true, but you get the point (I KNOW NOTHING). I can hardly tell you what good wine tastes like (I can't pinpoint flavors), but I do know what I like. I am a big fan of the dry red range. For instance, I love a good Cabernet or Merlot. So far i have tried a lot of reds. Syrah (shiraz?), Merlot, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, etc. My 2 favorite wines that I've had are Whitehall Lane Cab Sauv 2004 and a Stryker Cab Sauv from 2008. Currently I am a member of the wine of the month club at a domestic winery called Cooper's Hawk (has many locations around the US, costs me 18.99 USD a month and the wine is "Ok".)

Could someone (Ken, I know is the resident expert) educate this poor newb? Provide guidance on where to learn this stuff? Give advice? Make suggestions of great starter wines (hopefully that don't break the bank, although I know wine is an expensive habit, much like cigars. Maybe around $20USD or less)?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks everyone!

-Paul

[AlohaStyle]

Hey Paul,

Yes it can be daunting to figure out wine. But just like cigars, taste is subjective so my best advice is to simply start buying wines from different regions and note what you like and dislike. Once you narrow down what style and regions you like, then branch out on different brands/vineyards from those areas.

Since you like Chianti, start trying different regions from Italy. I love Brunello which comes from only one town in Tuscanny, but it's more expensive. That area makes a cheaper Rosso di Montalcino which I like as well. There are a few regions within Italy to try out. Try some French wine from the Bordeaux region... they tend to be more earthy. The Southern France (Provence) region is another one to try. I've found I really like some, but others are way too soft/fruity for my liking.

You also have Spanish wines, South American from Chile and Argentina, and our host Australia.

I personally enjoy a good Malbec from Argentina, Pinot Noir from Oregon (Willamette Valley), a few types of Italian wines and full bodied Cabernet from various regions.

[Skyfall]

As far as US - "Good wine may come from Napa Valley" but GREAT wine comes from Lodi Valley.

I enjoy a wide spectrum of French, Spanish, Italian, Argentinian, Australian, US and Chilean Reds.

[Colt45]

General suggestions would be to keep an open mind (which it sounds like you have), and to not try and take it all in at once - don't be overwhelmed. Part of the fun (at least for me) is learning as you go along.

There are any number of great books, and there is so much information available on the internet - you can even learn pronunciations! Many if not most shops (even bigger liquor stores) will have a wine buyer(s) who will most often be more than happy to speak with you about choices - don't be intimidated or afraid to bring up price range.

As Stylie mentioned, you enjoy Chianti, which is made mainly or completely of sangiovese. So I agree that that could be used as a jumping off point for Italy. There are other zones in Toscana which produce wines made from sangiovese - look into some of those. It is produced in Emilia Romagna - maybe try some from there, then what else might you find from that region.

Sangiovese is typically blended with montepulciano in the Rosso Piceno zone of Le Marche region - pretty good. Then there is montepulciano dominant wines from the Rosso Conero zone of Le Marche - hmm, these aren't bad.

And so on - I drink and enjoy wines from pretty much every region and wine zone of Italy (don't forget the islands :-) I also agree with southern France - I'm a big fan. My suggestion there might be to start with southern Rhone and spread out from there. Love many Spanish wines as well, and go through phases......

Enjoy it

[pbibby]

Found an awesome wine shop today near me. Went with a type I know but from a place I don't. This is from Argentina. It is quite nice. Only $15.

Thabks for the tips guys, I am loving getting into this. There's so much to try! No wonder it goes with cigars!

[winelover]

Try Guigal Cotes du Rhone (if you can find 2010 then great) or Chappoutier Cotes du Rhone Beleruche.

Both top notch wines offering considerable value for money and widely available. Particularly like the Guigal. Go out and buy a bottle, you will thank me!

[sengjc]

Try Australian or Chilean. They usually produce quality wine that are accessible when young without breaking the bank.

[pbibby]

Thanks guys. Gonna add some more to the "buy" list. Now I think I'll just wait until after next weeks LFTW......Ha

[...]

What everybody said, plus drink a lot of it. Lot

There are thousands of reds readily available. Plus, like cigars, tasting once or one vintage wouldn't be representative. I'd say don't make too big of a list and learn to enjoy experimenting with reds before you start 'knowing reds'. Depending on your budget, it may take you years before you figure out the basics.

One option is to search for tasting tutorials by professional tasters. You buy the suggested wines and try them as shown throughout the video. When the basics are figured out, then you branch out on your own. Good luck!

[Ken Gargett]

all sorts of good advice there.

little point in me trying to suggest wines as no idea what is available.

what i would do if i were you and serious about this, is work out the best retailer (or best couple, even better) in your area. talk to the guys there. tell them what you want to achieve and get them to make recommendations. you'll soon work out which, hopefully a couple of them, provide the best advice and selections. visit regularly.

try and get in a tasting group with mates.

read what you can. get on to various mags and wine books.

get to all the tastings you can, especially for the good stuff. doesn't matter if it is simply for a winemaker pouring at the local bottleshop or something pointy end. obviously your budget will come into play.

but just keep tasting and tasting. and keep notes and a system of ratings that suit you. doesn't have to be out of 20 or 100. can be five glasses or three bottles or whatever. just so you can recall what stood out because if you do keep tasting, the notes pile up and you'll forget which is which.

good luck.

[Cisco]

I can only echo what others have said here in that you should taste as much as you can and find your palate. What really helped me was having a place where I could try as many wines as I could without having to buy bottles. That and joining forums. I started this wonderful hobby 20 years ago and I'm still enjoying the journey.

[pbibby]

Any recommendations on forums? Preferably ones with a decent atmosphere that doesn't look down on newbs?

[kevn]

A lot of great advice above. I would add finding an online auction where you can get access to a wider variety of labels particularly some with 5 or more years of age. Some good values can be found. Also, throw in a white or sparkling wine in your cart from time to time. Tastes change over time so don't be surprised if you develop a hankering for something you never thought you would.

[Mckucci]

I've recently gotten into the world of wine myself, Typically I'll drink an Amarone when I'm having a steak. When I smoke I'll typically pair an Old Vine Zinfandel such as Ravens wood or Predator. These are both great bottles at a reasonable price! I suggest giving them a try