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

[Foxhound3857]

The last time I even tried wine was 10 years ago at Sizzler, I just had a basic Merlot with my burger. Couldn't drink more than a couple of sips, found it to be far too bitter for my palette.

Today I bought a mid-shelf (I hope it's mid at least) bottle of Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon, going to give wine another chance tonight, as I'm trying to move away from vodka/red bull and find something both more economical and that I can enjoy with the things I like to have at night, like a bottle of coke and a bowl of popcorn. For the wine drinkers here, what advice can you give me to help me settle into enjoying or at least acquiring a palette for wine?

 

[Willow Ufgood]

The last time I even tried wine was 10 years ago at Sizzler, I just had a basic Merlot with my burger. Couldn't drink more than a couple of sips, found it to be far too bitter for my palette.

Today I bought a mid-shelf (I hope it's mid at least) bottle of Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon, going to give wine another chance tonight, as I'm trying to move away from vodka/red bull and find something both more economical and that I can enjoy with the things I like to have at night, like a bottle of coke and a bowl of popcorn. For the wine drinkers here, what advice can you give me to help me settle into enjoying or at least acquiring a palette for wine?

Try white wine if you find reds to be too strong or bitter. Plus, there are just some foods that pair better with a beer. I would never drink wine with a burger. Too many uncomplimentary flavors competing with each other.

A nice pilot grigio (I like Santa Margarita) or a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc might appeal to you more.

 

[jeneric997]

I would suggest trying white wines first. If you don't like bitter and you like more sweet Moscato, Riesling, Chenin Blanc or Vovaray (from France). Savignon Blanc can be sweet, but I find many of them taste like grapefruit, so if you don't like that don't try that. I have never liked Chardonnay, but everyone has different tastes.

Red wine has tanins- think of putting a black tea bag on your tongue. Cabernet is very bold. Try a Pinot Noir- it has a fruitier taste, some taste more like grape juice, very little tanins.

Wine Folly is an excellent website to explain wine.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I do like champagne. What tastes closer to that, chardonnay or sauvignon blanc?

I like the carbonation of champagne but it always seems to be way more expensive than wine.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I do like champagne. What tastes closer to that, chardonnay or sauvignon blanc?

I like the carbonation of champagne but it always seems to be way more expensive than wine.

Do you prefer sweet champagne or dry? Very bubbly or not( very active carbonization or “lazy” bubbles)?

Champagne tends to be more expensive than other wines in part due to the process that makes the bubbles but there are sparkling wines that are less expensive.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Do you prefer sweet champagne or dry? Very bubbly or not( very active carbonization or “lazy” bubbles)?

Champagne tends to be more expensive than other wines in part due to the process that makes the bubbles but there are sparkling wines that are less expensive.

Brut is my preferred. My go-to is either Cooks or Barefoot Bubbly, occasionally Korbel.

 

[jeneric997]

Brut would mean dry or not sweet. If you liked that, look up dry white wines. I don't like those, so I won't recommend. Also look up dry red wines that are low on tanins and see if you like that better.

If you like bubbles, Cava, Prosecco, Asti Spumante, Moscato, some have different levels including Brut. Some will probably be way too sweet for you.

 

[porschegrl]

I am far from a wine expert, and I don't particularly like drinking most wines on their own. But when I've had the right wine paired with a meal, it is delicious and it all makes sense.

I recommend going to a restaurant that has wine pairings on the menu (or a sommelier/staff knowledgeable in recommending pairings). Total game changer!

I've found that I also enjoy wine cocktails - adding flavors that enhance or temper the flavor of the wine itself. My favorite is a tinto de verano. Various recipes all over the internet, but I make mine with just ice, any red wine, and 7Up.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Brut would mean dry or not sweet. If you liked that, look up dry white wines. I don't like those, so I won't recommend. Also look up dry red wines that are low on tanins and see if you like that better.

If you like bubbles, Cava, Prosecco, Asti Spumante, Moscato, some have different levels including Brut. Some will probably be way too sweet for you.

I dislike sweet flavors. I prefer tart.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I am far from a wine expert, and I don't particularly like drinking most wines on their own. But when I've had the right wine paired with a meal, it is delicious and it all makes sense.

I recommend going to a restaurant that has wine pairings on the menu (or a sommelier/staff knowledgeable in recommending pairings). Total game changer!

I've found that I also enjoy wine cocktails - adding flavors that enhance or temper the flavor of the wine itself. My favorite is a tinto de verano. Various recipes all over the internet, but I make mine with just ice, any red wine, and 7Up.

I like mimosas. Is red/white wine and orange juice a known cocktail? I can't find a name for it if it is.

 

[tvguy]

I would suggest trying white wines first. If you don't like bitter and you like more sweet Moscato, Riesling, Chenin Blanc or Vovaray (from France). Savignon Blanc can be sweet, but I find many of them taste like grapefruit, so if you don't like that don't try that. I have never liked Chardonnay, but everyone has different tastes.

Red wine has tanins- think of putting a black tea bag on your tongue. Cabernet is very bold. Try a Pinot Noir- it has a fruitier taste, some taste more like grape juice, very little tanins.

Wine Folly is an excellent website to explain wine.

Yeah, between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon poster started with rather heavy wines. Absolutely start with whites.
Riesling. Moscato, Gewurztraminer. Start with inexpensive brands to get an idea of what flavors you like. Absolutely nothing wrong with Gallo to start with. That company has done more to promote the wine industry than any one.
I tend to lean towards whites, my wife, reds. However there are few Cabernet Sauvignons that she likes, those are too heavy for her. Wine tasting is our hobby, went Thursday. We live 45 miles from Lodi, and 75 miles from Napa plus we have tons of foothill wineries near us. We favor Lodi because there are over 60 wineries there so lots of options at affordable prices.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Yeah, between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon poster started with rather heavy wines. Absolutely start with whites.
Riesling. Moscato, Gewurztraminer. Start with inexpensive brands to get an idea of what flavors you like. Absolutely nothing wrong with Gallo to start with. That company has done more to promote the wine industry than any one.
I tend to lean towards whites, my wife, reds. However there are few Cabernet Sauvignons that she likes, those are too heavy for her. Wine tasting is our hobby, went Thursday. We live 45 miles from Lodi, and 75 miles from Napa plus we have tons of foothill wineries near us. We favor Lodi because there are over 60 wineries there so lots of options at affordable prices.

Alas I'm not up to par on my wine-tasting linguistics. What specifically do you mean when a wine is "heavy?"

 

[tvguy]

Alas I'm not up to par on my wine-tasting linguistics. What specifically do you mean when a wine is "heavy?"

From Google. Defines it better than I could.
A wine is considered heavy, or full-bodied, when it has a higher alcohol content, more tannins, and lower acidity. These characteristics can make a wine taste rich and heavy, and can also make it more viscous and "harder" to drink:

 

[Foxhound3857]

So a heavier wine is likely to be on the more bitter side?

I had a choice between Cabernet and Blanc for this brand, and the alcoholic content only differs in 0.5% it seems. 13.5% for the cabernet, which is what I got, vs 13% for the blanc. Does that 1 proof make a significant difference?

Like I said, I like champagne, so if I'm going to try a white wine next, I want whatever has the closest taste to Brut champagne.

 

[jeneric997]

Some wine shops do tastings. For tart whites- Italian Pinot Grigio or Chablis. Chardonnay is one of the grapes in Champagne, so probably your best bet. I am no expert on Chardonnay, but a French wine might taste very different from a California one????

Heavy wines are bold, full bodied- punch you in the face. I know a lot of people who just can't drink Cabernet. I am wondering if the bitter you described is just not liking tannins. Merlot is kind of down the middle on tannins, so I could be wrong. I am also wondering if the bitter was because the bottle had been opened a while and was bad. Wine will taste like vinegar when it goes bad.

I hate dry white wine, but I love dry reds, maybe you are the opposite. I also despise IPA beer, I find that bitter and awful!

WIne folly has some great charts that lists dryness and fruits/herbs that the wine will have. Wine is complex- where the grapes are grown make a difference as well. A Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand will taste different than one from France.

 

[Foxhound3857]

What white wines are considered "tart" then?

When I say tart, I mean like black currant tart, if anyone has ever had black currants.

 

[NYCgrrl]

What white wines are considered "tart" then?

When I say tart, I mean like black currant tart, if anyone has ever had black currants.

Sauvignon Blanc, another vote for Pinot Grigio or maybe a vinho verde.
And yes to black currants. My current summer cocktail features cassis in the mix.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Sauvignon Blanc, another vote for Pinot Grigio or maybe a vinho verde.
And yes to black currants. My current summer cocktail features cassis in the mix.

Alright, next one I try will be Pinot Grigio then.

Still gonna open the Cabernet tonight. If I don't like it, I'll find some other use for it.

 

[jeneric997]

Let us know what you think of the Cabernet!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Alright, next one I try will be Pinot Grigio then.

Still gonna open the Cabernet tonight. If I don't like it, I'll find some other use for it.

Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t. I bought it on a whim and been happy with it. The price is reasonable enough:







Here’s a good description
https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1038026