OK, further to the wine discussion from last week, need advice from experts...

[Dodie]

Let me start off by saying that I'm one of the people with the unsophisticated palates whose idea of good wine (wine that tastes good to me personally) is Sutter Home white zinfandel. I read all of the posts from last week and understand why some of you don't think that this IS a good wine, but, if we are going strictly on taste, you need to know what tastes good to me...

I also like beer. It is actually my alcoholic beverage of choice, but I usually go with a light beer. My current favorite is Sam Adams Light.

I have NEVER tasted a RED WINE that I like! Period. Too strong. Too much aftertaste. Just not my cup of tea.

Now I find myself doing the South Beach Diet. This is a low carb diet that is a little more versatile than Atkins and not quite as restrictive. (I've lost 9 pounds in the first two weeks and am quite pleased, by the way.) You can remain on this eating plan and have the occasional alcholic beverage, as long as it is RED WINE. Red wine apparently has some health benefits, is not as high in carbs as lighter wine, and isn't "fattening" in the truest sense of the word.

HELP!!!! What should I try that is kind of "sweet," not too dry, and won't have that red wine aftertaste? Please educate me! Types of reds? Specific vineyards/brands?

Thanks for the input!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like you need to take a trip to a winery for some sampling!

I agree with you. I just don't like red wine either. I know there has to be something out there!

 

[CEDmom]

Dodie,

Here's a link that might be helpful:

http://www.wine.com/aboutwine/basics/types.asp?step=2&c_id=1

I enjoy red wine but nothing too heavy. I also like white zinfandel especially in the summer and you can never go wrong with beer . Anyway, there is a red zinfandel that might be worth trying and a shiraz can be nice as well. The biggest help to you might just be the owner of your local liquor store. Explain to them what you enjoy and ask for some recommendations.

P.S. Congratulations on your success with the South Beach Diet

 

[MinnieYC]

I've noticed that chilling red wines slightly (a few minutes in the fridge) tends to lessen the "harshness" of some red wines.

I think Beaujolais would be perfect for you! Some Beaujolais are basically like fruit juice's big sister. Try them either room temperature or a bit chilled. To make them even better, they are priced really well.

Georges Deboeuf makes great, reliable Beaujolais. I think you'd really like their Domaine du Granit Bleu Beaujolais-Villages. REALLY easy to drink. Plus, it's cheap! Georges Duboeuf Brouilly is another good Beaujolais, but it's more rich. But you can't go wrong with Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais. They're all great (well, at least I've never tried a bad one! )

Just don't get Beaujolais Nouveau at this time of year. It's meant to be drunk at the end of the year it was produced.


A nice, inexpensive Bordeux also sounds like a good idea. Chateau Le Drot Bordeaux is great. Really easy to drink, and a another great value (I've always gotten it for under $10). Chateau Sainte Marie Bordeaux Superieur is very nice to drink as well.


I'd also try a good Pinot Noir. These wines tend to be very smooth, and don't leave behind an acidy taste. Just make sure the bottle is stored properly. While red whites shouldn't be very cold (although some are good slightly chilled), they can basically turn into vinegar if they get hot.

My favorite Pinot Noirs is Saintsbury and Saintsbury "Garnet." De Loach makes a pretty good Pinot Noir as well. Erath Wineyards is said to be "pleasant and easy to drink" in my book about wine (I haven't got to trying this one, but it sounds like you'd like it).

If you don't normally like red wine, I'd avoid the Pinot Noirs from Beringer and Cambria Winery & Vineyard.


Overall, if you don't generally care for red wine, I'd avoid Red Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel


Hope this helps! Writing this is making me look forward to dinner time!!!

 

[barbeml]

Try Yellowtail Shiraz. Consistently delicious. I have a friend who only likes White Zin too, but she enjoyed the Yellowtail Shiraz very much.

BTW, if YOU like it then it is good. We have a friend who is a bit of a wine snob. He brought over a bottle of $42 wine that tasted horrible...no one liked it. DH once picked up a bottle of Chilean Merlot for $5 and it was fabulous.

You never know.

Barbe

 

[Dodie]

Thanks for your suggestions. I went out to dinner with some friends and tried a Shiraz tonight. It wasn't that bad. I think I could drink a couple of glasses of that.

I also bought a bottle of the Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais-Villages to try this weekend.

I knew you guys would come through...