For the wine drinkers here, how do you learn to enjoy wine?

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I started w/Moscato, White Merlot, and White Zinfandel, those were good for about 10 minutes for me.

Now I absolutely hate sweet wine. I moved over to Chardonnay and that has been my favorite white for like the last 15-20 years. It is kind of like sunshine in a glass. It is not only my favorite white, but my favorite wine in general. Generally I do not like any other whites, besides being able to tolerate Sauvignon Blanc. It is OK at best. Some brands of Chardonnay are better than others.

As far as reds go, I dunno how I ended up liking them. I think I started w/the Franzia "Chillable Red" because I heard red wine is good for you. I tired of that pretty quickly and picked up Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I paired them with like cheddar cheese and/or dark chocolate for snacks. Those are like my "go to" reds. I know a lot of people think they are not good, but for some reason they really clicked for me. I also like Shiraz, Zinfandel, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and sometimes Chianti.

I find wine to be a really fun hobby. It was a lot of fun trying lots of things and discovering what I like... I have been at it so long that I have settled into my tastes. The adventure doesn't end when you find what you like. At that point, you can explore different wineries, brands etc.

 

[jeneric997]

I was lucky to have a daughter take wine classes in college. She has help me expand beyond my Cabernet Sauvignon. Tempranillo is one of my newer wines. We went to Wine Bar George a couple of weeks ago and we told our server what we like and she and the Sommelier came up with 6 fantastic wines to try that I would have never looked at. Grape varieties I had never tried.

My younger daughter is currently taking a wine class in college. Unlike her sister who has always loved wine, she has never found anything she liked that she tasted with us. I am hopeful she will find her wine in this class. Who knows, she might be the one person in our family that likes Chardonnay! It was suggested she buy a wine journal. I didn't even know that existed! That's how I found Wine Folly, that is really helpful explaining things and suggesting wine.

My older daughter says there are 2 type of people in this world- Chardonnay All Day! and ABCers- Anything But Chardonnay! From reading some posts, she might be right

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

What I've found is that I just don't care for it and don't try to.

Sure if I'm going to a friend's and that's what they have I'll have some because or of course if someone wants to go to a winery for some tastings/snacks I'll find the sweetest ones and give them a try because well its a fun time.

But my drink of choice involves any mixed drink with vodka.
It goes down smooth and doesn't make me feel sick later.

My suggestion is drink what you like instead of trying to force something just because its what you think you should like because everyone else seems to.

 

[Wayland10]

Hello! If you like Champagne, I’d suggest Prosecco or cava for something less expensive. Champagne goes with everything, famously. If you’re looking to move to a still white wine, the grapes in champagne production are Pinot noir, Pinot meunière and Chardonnay grapes, so you might want to focus on those varietals. Cheaper wines are more likely to be bitter, sour, and also to have additives that can cause more headaches, especially the red wines. In your case I might look for a California Chardonnay that’s described as “buttery” or “oaky”, meaning that it’s been aged in oak barrels giving it a little hint of vanilla, and it has good “legs” meaning it’s thicker and even a little oily in texture.
For reds, you might like a Pinot noir or a less known grape like a Gamay, a Zinfandel or a beaujolais nouveau. Any wine shop will be able to help you find one.
My inner wine snob is about to come out, but I don’t recommend Barefoot wines much. For a mid shelf intro wine that’s widely available I’d look for Ménage a Trois or Bogle, both from California.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I'll go for Chardonnay from Sutter Home or Barefoot Cellars next time.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My question is why are you trying so hard to like it? It is a social thing? An expectation thing? Genuine interest in wine but unsure what piques your taste palette?

There's a vast difference between someone trying to find what kind of alcohol they are into and experimenting with that. It's how I found out I prefer stouts and porters and sweet red wines but in no way did I try to force myself to like beer or force myself to like wine. Same for hard liquor, I don't like tequila and prefer rum but if I didn't like hard liquor I'm not trying to force myself into trying things to find out.

If it's a genuine interest winery tours have been the best way for me. My husband and I have found we differ in tastes in wine just like beer. He likes white wine, I prefer sweet red. There's some overlap in white wine and sweet red that we can enjoy and buy a bottle of. Riesling is a white wine we both like. I'm not a fan of dry red wine but a Pinot Noir isn't bad.

My advice is if it's a social or expectation thing don't keep trying because the answer is you don't have to find a liking to any of that stuff.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My question is why are you trying so hard to like it? It is a social thing? An expectation thing? Genuine interest in wine but unsure what piques your taste palette?

OP said at the start it was less expensive than what was currently being drunk- a vodka mixed drink.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

OP said at the start it was less expensive than what was currently being drunk- a vodka mixed drink.

Ah, I missed that thanks.

Hmmm...IMO I think my advice would stay the same don't try to like it if you don't want to. Although on the economical thing I'm not sure that's really there. Vodka shelf life is longer opened than wine (much much much longer) so if someone was looking to save money and purely that my advice would be to just cut back on how much you're drinking rather than try and start up a new hobby just different alcohol.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I only really like sweet dessert wines, I can do a nice everyday one DH picks out here and there because I learned I do not like dry anything but if left to myself I like sweet and there are lots to try like Riesling or Moscato. Not sure where you live but some places have tastings. Old wine gets bitter so this may be what you got at Sizzler, don't keep it too long either or it will go bitter.

 

[Foxhound3857]

OP said at the start it was less expensive than what was currently being drunk- a vodka mixed drink.

Not necessarily that it's less expensive, it's that vodka-red bull is an extremely bad drink for me at my age. I'm trying to stay away from energy drinks altogether at this point, and as such I'm looking for a healthier alternative that I really enjoy, and while I enjoy champagne, it's a little pricier then I'm comfortable with.

Which is a shame because I found that I really like Mimosas.

 

[NYCgrrl]

vodka-red bull is an extremely bad drink for me at my age.

It’s not good for any age smile

 

[Foxhound3857]

It’s not good for any age smile

No it's not, but it didn't give me any pause for concern in my 20s. I'm in my mid 30s now, I have to be conscious about what I do to my body. It's already bad enough that I overeat and drink too much soda, this is just one vice that I'm dead set on curbing.

At least I don't smoke and I'm responsible with my use of Cannabis. Haven't touched the stuff in months and don't plan to until I regain employment and know that it won't put my employment at risk.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Alright, tried the Cabernet. Tasted just like the Merlot all those years ago. Slightly fruity up front but the bitterness comes in quick, and I can't tell if it's the tannins or the alcohol. I let it sit in the glass for about 15 minutes to "let it breathe" too. So yeah, don't think it's for me, this one at least.

But added some orange juice to it and that helped it quite a bit. Took the bitterness away. Still don't think it's the drink for me though.

I think you tried a Pinot Noir, which is red. I would try a light white like I recommend. I think that will suit your tastes better.

We are enjoying sparkling on the water today

 

[Foxhound3857]

I think you tried a Pinot Noir, which is red. I would try a light white like I recommend. I think that will suit your tastes better.

We are enjoying sparkling on the water today

View attachment 894864

It was a Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the exact bottle I bought:

 

[Skippy918]

I don’t really like wine either except the sweet and fruity wines. Red wines are a no go for me. Meades are good cause they are fruity. I find those a cross between a beer and a wine. I don’t like beer either.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I think to find the correct wine for you, it really will be about trial and error. Read all the labels. Try everything. Try to figure out what you like and don't like. Example, I love vanilla, but not in my wine. I find alot of wine makers use vanilla to cover the flavor and I hate it. I'm sure people out here love it which is why they sell it. When I read a label and it mentions vanilla I know to stay clear. You may want to try a Merlot before you try a Cab. I find white wine to be bland and red wine sometimes to strong. I have been known to mix the two, I know an oxymoron. Of course now we have blends of grapes in wines today. Just saying. This is an interesting post and I will continue to follow to see what everyone recommends.

For the one who mentioned Wine Bar George in Disney; I was so very excited to try this place and expand my knowledge and taste buds. My waiter was awful. When I questioned him about training etc. he told me he hates wine and he fakes it till he makes it. Needless to say, I tried the flight he recommended and left very unsatisfied. This is why I think it just takes practice until perfected. I wish you luck in your quest.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No it's not, but it didn't give me any pause for concern in my 20s. I'm in my mid 30s now, I have to be conscious about what I do to my body. It's already bad enough that I overeat and drink too much soda, this is just one vice that I'm dead set on curbing.

At least I don't smoke and I'm responsible with my use of Cannabis. Haven't touched the stuff in months and don't plan to until I regain employment and know that it won't put my employment at risk.

Personally? If you're talking about vices and not doing it don't start a new one with drinking wine. Reduce your alcohol intake period. Just from your words above it sounds like you could end up having more issues with wine. It goes bad faster once you open the bottle and if you're drinking a bottle yourself frequently enough you've done nothing but probably add more alcohol to your system. No alcohol is actually good for you and all have an effect on your body. I'm the same age as you and I cannot fathom doing what you're doing for the reasons you're providing. If I was actually concerned about what I'm doing to my body I wouldn't think to just take up another alcohol.

But I do understand about some of your impulse issues. I stopped drinking pop in excess years back. I mostly drink water. But if pop is in the house I'm more prone to drinking it....so we don't purchase pop for the house. Now I notice my body doesn't do well if drinking Dr. Pepper (my fav pop).

 

[Foxhound3857]

Personally? If you're talking about vices and not doing it don't start a new one with drinking wine. Reduce your alcohol intake period. Just from your words above it sounds like you could end up having more issues with wine. It goes bad faster once you open the bottle and if you're drinking a bottle yourself frequently enough you've done nothing but probably add more alcohol to your system. No alcohol is actually good for you and all have an effect on your body. I'm the same age as you and I cannot fathom doing what you're doing for the reasons you're providing. If I was actually concerned about what I'm doing to my body I wouldn't think to just take up another alcohol.

But I do understand about some of your impulse issues. I stopped drinking pop in excess years back. I mostly drink water. But if pop is in the house I'm more prone to drinking it....so we don't purchase pop for the house. Now I notice my body doesn't do well if drinking Dr. Pepper (my fav pop).

Honestly it's rare that I drink at all because I see what it does to my own mother. I have a drink maybe once a month now, unless I'm doing something social like going to Las Vegas. I'm just saying my drink of choice in the past was vodka-redbull, because I don't care much for beer and never enjoyed anything else. This was just morbid curiosity more than anything.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don’t really like wine either except the sweet and fruity wines. Red wines are a no go for me. Meades are good cause they are fruity. I find those a cross between a beer and a wine. I don’t like beer either.

Sweet red wines are sweet and often fruity. I think people hear red and think only of dry reds.

One of the local sweet red wines I have gotten in the past has this description "Sweet, fruity, and immensely drinkable, this red blend has long been a favorite on The Blufftop. Drink this luscious red wine chilled and enjoy notes of cherry and raspberry with layers of ripe fruit."

 

[lovin'fl]

Years ago I was at Uncle's 50th bday party. Talking late 1990s. Easiest to order beer or wine and maybe that's all was covered so I asked for the sweetest wine and got a white wine, pinot grigio. Started with that. And eventually, maybe for diet purposes, moved to red wine and learned I love dry reds. Bam. Drink it all the time now.