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

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The point being -there are better options at a value that generally might appeal to one's palette because they simply are better produced. Not saying I wouldn't drink Barefoot, but I wouldn't buy it because I understand there are better tasting wines for the same or slightly more money -that's all. That's knowledge an inexperienced drinker of wine struggles with ...which again, is why it's best to start with a local wine shop or tastings if you're interested in finding what you like. This coming from someone who's WSET certified(i.e., snob )

You seemed to object to the snobbery point made by another poster. The point being it's whatever a person enjoys. If you only care about a label or price you're going to be considered a snob (own that lol). If you're about helping someone figure out what they like you're not going to discriminate at all, you're going to give a wide array of options so that person can figure out what piques their tastes, maybe it's the Barefoot price point maybe not. The knowledge part is about trying out different ones to figure out, if you view knowledge as merely "knowing the right brand" that is exactly what the other poster was talking about.

 

[GAN]

You seemed to object to the snobbery point made by another poster. The point being it's whatever a person enjoys. If you only care about a label or price you're going to be considered a snob (own that lol). If you're about helping someone figure out what they like you're not going to discriminate at all, you're going to give a wide array of options so that person can figure out what piques their tastes, maybe it's the Barefoot price point maybe not. The knowledge part is about trying out different ones to figure out, if you view knowledge as merely "knowing the right brand" that is exactly what the other poster was talking about.

I think we're talking about apples and oranges. Trust me -I fully understand it's about what a person enjoys and that some people buy for label/price.

 

[tvguy]

Does that even qualify as wine? It's only 5% alcohol. That's more like an Angry orchard.

It is on the low end, but I think how the product is produced, not the alcohol content defines a "wine".

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Trust me -I fully understand it's about what a person enjoys and that some people buy for label/price.

Which is why I don't know why you're objecting to the other poster's point regarding a specific brand. Way too much focus on that for someone who knows it's what someone enjoys although it does speak to knowing that some people buy for label and price.

FWIW I think local liquor stores (you mentioned someone should go to one although you said wine shop it's really the same thing) often push Barefoot and other ones like it because they know it sells and that's what they are trying to do, sell a particular alcohol. The liquor stores around here generally do more vodka or tequila in terms of testing in the store and any one that I've been in for predominately wine is also just pushing a particular type because they are looking for sales. A local winery that produces their own wine is likely to help more out on figuring what someone's taste palate is especially if you can do a wine flight. That allows someone to look for what they enjoy instead of a particular wine name.

 

[GAN]

Which is why I don't know why you're objecting to the other poster's point regarding a specific brand. Way too much focus on that for someone who knows it's what someone enjoys although it does speak to knowing that some people buy for label and price.

FWIW I think local liquor stores (you mentioned someone should go to one although you said wine shop it's really the same thing) often push Barefoot and other ones like it because they know it sells and that's what they are trying to do, sell a particular alcohol. The liquor stores around here generally do more vodka or tequila in terms of testing in the store and any one that I've been in for predominately wine is also just pushing a particular type because they are looking for sales. A local winery that produces their own wine is likely to help more out on figuring what someone's taste palate is especially if you can do a wine flight. That allows someone to look for what they enjoy instead of a particular wine name.

The OP is looking to find a wine that suits her taste ...whether you agree or not, I offered a SUGGESTION that might help them out. You haven't offered them anything other than to try and convince me that I was objecting to a specific brand, which I wasn't ...I suggested a path away from Barefoot if it wasn't the right one. Not sure why you come on the boards looking for conflict.....

 

[cedricandsophie]

I usually only drink red. And full bodied. It’s taken me about 40 years to acquire a taste. I used to drink bourbon but decided to switch to wine. I don’t like sweet. I suggest a wine pairing dinner which gives you a variety of wines with food. I will say that better wines or more expensive Usualky tastes better. My favorite are Decoy, Bread and Butter. I usually have two glasses every night. And we drink red with everything even fish. But that’s our taste which obviously isn’t very discerning.

 

[cabanafrau]

If you have a Trader Joe's nearby you can probably check out their wine selection for some affordable bottles to try out. They have lots of taste notes posted and often you can speak with one of the clerks who knows quite about what they have in stock. I can't stand sweet wines and the clerk at our TJ's convinced me to give a dry riesling they had in stock a try. For 7.99 I figured I could give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. Especially in the summer I like a nice, crisp and citrusy sauvignon blanc.

If champagne is something you like the prosecco from Costco that was mentioned upthread is quite good for the price.

 

[Foxhound3857]

If you have a Trader Joe's nearby you can probably check out their wine selection for some affordable bottles to try out. They have lots of taste notes posted and often you can speak with one of the clerks who knows quite about what they have in stock. I can't stand sweet wines and the clerk at our TJ's convinced me to give a dry riesling they had in stock a try. For 7.99 I figured I could give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. Especially in the summer I like a nice, crisp and citrusy sauvignon blanc.

If champagne is something you like the prosecco from Costco that was mentioned upthread is quite good for the price.

I'm okay with Cooks, and I like Korbel and Barefoot Bubbly. Andres or anything lower is garbo to me.

Hard to find anyone selling the little 4-packs of champagne though, and it's usually very expensive, even cooks. Saw a 4-pack of 187ml Barefoot Bubbly bottles for $20 at Stater Bros before. That's bonkers.

 

[tvguy]

I'm okay with Cooks, and I like Korbel and Barefoot Bubbly. Andres or anything lower is garbo to me.

Hard to find anyone selling the little 4-packs of champagne though, and it's usually very expensive, even cooks. Saw a 4-pack of 187ml Barefoot Bubbly bottles for $20 at Stater Bros before. That's bonkers.

That is bonkers. $7.99 here.

 

[Planogirl]

Have you tried Rose? I find it to be a good middle ground and might be worth a shot.

 

[mikehn]

As mentioned above, pairing wine with food adds a whole new dimension to any wine. Pair it with your favorite dark chocolate, charcuterie board, artisan pizza, or whatever food you like, and it takes you to a different world. A lot of evenings, dinner is a nice bottle of cab and some prosciutto. I sleep like a baby afterwards.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm really not much of a wine drinker these days, but I thought I'd just chime in with a thought on wine going to waste: if you don't think you're going to drink it, then cook with it.

Lots of flavors that I don't much like straight up are delicous used in a sauce. (A red that's too heavy for your taste as a drink may be just right cooked in the liquid of a slow-cooked beef or pork dish.)

I *never* buy so-called cooking wine; way too much salt added to it. I cook with whatever wine we happen to have in the house for drinking, unless it's something special and crazy expensive.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I actually made my own Champagne cocktail for Halloween a while back. You mix Champagne with a shot of Puckers Sour Green Apple Schnapps, add ice cubes made from Tonic Water (because they glow in the dark), a couple pellets of Dry Ice to add the fogging effect, serve in a plastic glass of your choice (glass can crack because of dry ices supercool temperatures, use plastic) and garnish with a green apple slice.

I call it a Poison Apple, named after the apple Snow White eats. You can probably substitute Champagne for a White Wine, since the Dry Ice will add its own carbonation to the drink.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I agree with the comments about wine snobbery. Its like this holier than thou attitude, well "I" would never buy xyz wine theres "much" better ones... seriously, its a very bad look when someone starts that crap.

Anyways, for me, Disney cruises have been a great way to experiment with wine. The Sommelier Bin , where they blind sell a glass of wine from an open bottle for the lowest price on their menu is a great way to have a go at figuring out whats what. Ive also done the Stem To Stern Wine wine tasting and the Chocolate and Liquor tasting.

In the Stem To Stern Wine Tasting we had

• Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc
• ZD Chardonnay
• Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett
• Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chianti Classico Banfi

In the Chocolate and Liquor Tasting we had

• Taittinger Champagne
• Lasseter Chemin de Fer Red Wine
• Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port
• Glenmorangie Signe

Both tastings were done by the head Sommelier on The Dream.

We learnt about "legs" or "tears". Hold a glass of wine by the stem, swirl 3 times, then look on the inside of the glass as the wine drips down. High alcohol wines collect a higher density of droplets on the sides of the glass than low alcohol wines.

We learnt how to check the colour of red wine, by holding the glass at 45 degree angle against a white background. Colour variations are due to the type of grape, how the wine has been stored and so much more.

We learnt how to taste the wine, buy taking a sip, holding it your mouth, swilling it around and then swallowing. Different wines have different textures, and aftertastes.

We learnt about pairing wines with food, and how salty or sweet foods can enhance the flavours of different wines.

I know Im only starting my wine journey, but now I know I like sweet white wine like Moscato and dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

[GAN]

I agree with the comments about wine snobbery. Its like this holier than thou attitude, well "I" would never buy xyz wine theres "much" better ones... seriously, its a very bad look when someone starts that crap.

Anyways, for me, Disney cruises have been a great way to experiment with wine. The Sommelier Bin , where they blind sell a glass of wine from an open bottle for the lowest price on their menu is a great way to have a go at figuring out whats what. Ive also done the Stem To Stern Wine wine tasting and the Chocolate and Liquor tasting.

In the Stem To Stern Wine Tasting we had

• Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc
• ZD Chardonnay
• Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett
• Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chianti Classico Banfi

In the Chocolate and Liquor Tasting we had

• Taittinger Champagne
• Lasseter Chemin de Fer Red Wine
• Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port
• Glenmorangie Signe

Both tastings were done by the head Sommelier on The Dream.

We learnt about "legs" or "tears". Hold a glass of wine by the stem, swirl 3 times, then look on the inside of the glass as the wine drips down. High alcohol wines collect a higher density of droplets on the sides of the glass than low alcohol wines.

We learnt how to check the colour of red wine, by holding the glass at 45 degree angle against a white background. Colour variations are due to the type of grape, how the wine has been stored and so much more.

We learnt how to taste the wine, buy taking a sip, holding it your mouth, swilling it around and then swallowing. Different wines have different textures, and aftertastes.

We learnt about pairing wines with food, and how salty or sweet foods can enhance the flavours of different wines.

I know Im only starting my wine journey, but now I know I like sweet white wine like Moscato and dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wow ...that's an impressive range!

 

[Planogirl]

I like a little cheese with wine. I prefer mild cheeses and mild wine but I know some like sharp cheeses with certain wines. I would maybe go to a wine fest or wineries if you have them and experiment a little.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Okay, took another chance and bought a 4 pack of Sutter Home Chardonnay, was only $6 at Stater Bros. It's not terrible, basically just a flat Brut Champagne, and it's the same alcohol percentage so I guess the bitterness was from the tannins and not the alcohol itself.

Still, nothing to write home about, and if I'm going to have this I may as well just get champagne, since the carbonation makes it so much better.

Works well enough as a Mimosa though, without the carbonation. I can drink one of these on occasion, I suppose.

 

[GAN]

Okay, took another chance and bought a 4 pack of Sutter Home Chardonnay, was only $6 at Stater Bros. It's not terrible, basically just a flat Brut Champagne, and it's the same alcohol percentage so I guess the bitterness was from the tannins and not the alcohol itself.

Still, nothing to write home about, and if I'm going to have this I may as well just get champagne, since the carbonation makes it so much better.

Works well enough as a Mimosa though, without the carbonation. I can drink one of these on occasion, I suppose.

Try Bota Box. They have a good range of variety and it will last for a good 2-weeks because it keeps air off the wine.

https://www.botabox.com/bota-box/

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Try Bota Box. They have a good range of variety and it will last for a good 2-weeks because it keeps air off the wine.

https://www.botabox.com/bota-box/

I get Bota Box sometimes, I like it!

 

[GAN]

I get Bota Box sometimes, I like it!

I’ve tried a few of their varietals and they’re all good. You can get a box equal to 4-bottles(standard 750) for around $16. They also have 2-bottle boxes. It’s a great buy….