I tried wine today

[Skynet]

Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve, Merlot, specifically.

I've never much been into alcohol. A lot of it tends to be an acquired taste, such as beer's bitter flavor. And the stronger ones like vodka and whiskey are definitely not for first-timers or casuals. I decided that wine would be a good starter on account that being made from grapes I figure it would taste the best.

After pouring myself a glass it smelled quite good. But when I put the glass to my lips I discovered that smell and taste aren't exactly the same. I can't really describe it other than it left a mild stinging sensation in my mouth for a few seconds likely due to being acidic.

I'm going to give it to a friend at work, and I don't know if it's specifically the brand I took or if red wine just isn't my thing.

If anyone on E's a wine aficionado, what brands would you say are good but not too expensive? Also, how different is the taste of white wine and red wine?

[Oniya]

Not exactly an aficionado, but I know that the taste of red wine is often accented by tannins, which cause that 'drawing' sensation in the mouth.  I'm partial to whites, which tend to be a little sweeter in general (although they do come in 'dry' varieties), although 'White Zinfandel' (actually a rose') isn't bad.  Gotta say that my alcohol of choice is mead (fermented from honey as opposed to grain or grapes), when I can get it.

If you are in an area that has them, you might consider going to a wine tasting.  Standard procedure is to take a small amount, roll it around in your mouth, and then spit it out (so that your judgement doesn't get impaired by intoxication)  Often times, there is something like bread or other bland food provided to cleanse the palate between wines.

[Beautiful Mystery]

I am not a wine drinker. For me, most wines taste way too dry in general (which is a super weird sensation because it is dry...but it is wet because it is a liquid...). However, I do buy wine for my parents a lot. They are more into red wine versus white.

I have heard that most people start with white wine as it is "sweeter" and then once they are used to it, they move onto red wine. Not sure how accurate that is but perhaps you just had a red wine that not your taste.

Whenever I look for a wine, I look for wines that have fruit notes to them (peach, cherry, berry, etc). There are ones that have finishes/notes of mocha, vanilla, etc. as well. Sometimes (depending on the store), the tag will list these. This would be at a wine store/alcohol store over your local grocer. If not, most wines I believe write on the back about the accents.

I get wine from Trader Joe's and a place called Total Wine where I live (in the US). Trader Joe's has a good variety of cheap wine (as in most bottles are under $20 and I would say about half of those are under $10 as well) that is pretty good quality. Total Wine has not only wine but beer, vodka, rum, etc. That store obviously has a huge selection and has so many choices. However they are generally more expensive, even having wines that are probably nearing $100 a bottle.

I suggest going to a local place that is a liquor store. You can always ask the employees if they have suggestions about what wines you should try. You could explain that you are new to it and you don't want to spend much (give the amount that you want to spend) and they might have suggestions. At least, that is how I get ideas at Total Wine.

As well, France or Italy are not the only places that great wine is produced anymore. My parents are partial to anything coming from Chile or Argentina. The US makes good wines as well. So feel free to explore from other countries! You might find that certain wines from one country are your favorite.

My last piece of advice is to look into red or white blends. They are 2+ types of wine blended together (ie. Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot). These generally would be a good way to start as well. Since you are just starting, you won't really know what ones are your favorite until you try them. Some will be drier than others, more sweet, etc. I have personally found that blends tend to taste better to me but again, I really don't drink wine.

Oniya has a wonderful idea of wine tasting. This will allow you to see what types you like and if done at a winery, you should be able to tell them what you are looking for and they will recommend wines for you. I highly suggest you look into that. (:

I hope that helped!

[Ket]

Grape variety, and the residual sugars from those, is what is going to affect whether or not your wine is on the sweeter or drier side.

There are plenty of red wines out there that can be sickeningly sweet, such as concords and niagaras. A merlot has virtually no residual sugars, which is going to make it ridiculously dry and unappealing to those who are new to wine.

Start off with a sweet red (but not port, don't rush straight to the port!), or a semi-sweet/sweet white. Sweet and dry varietal mixtures can also make for a good way to dip your toes into something that isn't too sweet. It also helps to make sure you're pairing the wine you're drinking with the correct foods. Pairing a wine with a flavor of food that it doesn't work well with will just kill the flavor.

Don't buy the big name wines. Go to your local wine store, speak with the people who work there, ask for recommendations from the local section. If you are in an area that does wine tastings, go to those. (But don't spit!! At tastings, you do actually drink the wine. It's only the professionals who work at wineries and are testing batches from many different barrels a day that do that. Ask the person serving at the tasting their input on the best way to taste. Some wineries have little 'tricks' to bring out the flavors of their particular wines.)

Make sure your wine is at the right temperature when you drink it. Around 55 degrees is the norm for the vast majority of wines, a little warmer for the much drier reds, a little colder for the much sweeter dessert wines. Have a good stopper for the bottle, and finish it within a couple of days of opening it, otherwise it will turn.

That's all I can think of right now...but it's late. And thanks for reminding me I've got a Biltmore Vineyards Holiday red to put in the fridge.

Edit: I forgot to add this. It's a good chart that tells you the relative dryness or sweetness of different varietals. Click for a larger version.

[Beautiful Mystery]

Grape variety, and the residual sugars from those, is what is going to affect whether or not your wine is on the sweeter or drier side.

There are plenty of red wines out there that can be sickeningly sweet, such as concords and niagaras. A merlot has virtually no residual sugars, which is going to make it ridiculously dry and unappealing to those who are new to wine.

Start off with a sweet red (but not port, don't rush straight to the port!), or a semi-sweet/sweet white. Sweet and dry varietal mixtures can also make for a good way to dip your toes into something that isn't too sweet. It also helps to make sure you're pairing the wine you're drinking with the correct foods. Pairing a wine with a flavor of food that it doesn't work well with will just kill the flavor.

Don't buy the big name wines. Go to your local wine store, speak with the people who work there, ask for recommendations from the local section. If you are in an area that does wine tastings, go to those. (But don't spit!! At tastings, you do actually drink the wine. It's only the professionals who work at wineries and are testing batches from many different barrels a day that do that. Ask the person serving at the tasting their input on the best way to taste. Some wineries have little 'tricks' to bring out the flavors of their particular wines.)

Make sure your wine is at the right temperature when you drink it. Around 55 degrees is the norm for the vast majority of wines, a little warmer for the much drier reds, a little colder for the much sweeter dessert wines. Have a good stopper for the bottle, and finish it within a couple of days of opening it, otherwise it will turn.

That's all I can think of right now...but it's late. And thanks for reminding me I've got a Biltmore Vineyards Holiday red to put in the fridge.

I just wanted to say that Ket has some wonderful tips. Especially for how to start. Trying to jump into dry wines will probably make you go (if you are like me) "What the hell is this? Ugh."

As for local selections, that is a good idea as well! Just because something like Yellow Tail (I believe that is the wine that I see advertised on TV) is advertised doesn't mean you have to get it. Or you can be like me and buy ones with pretty labels/funny names... 

The wine tastings I have been too as well they give you a little bit to taste and not spit as well. But that may just be dependent on the way a winery/place that is running it.

Anyways, just wanted to say her graphic is wonderful as well! It may take trial and error for wine. Or you may find that wine isn't your thing and other alcohol is. Or that alcohol isn't your jam either. Nothing wrong with having water, lemonade, tea or a soda. xD

[Ket]

I live in Lake Erie Wine Country here in the northeast (US). The closest vineyard is ten miles away, the closest tasting room is two miles away. There are at least 50 wineries within a one and a half our drive of my house, double that for a three hour drive. All one of my group of friends has to do is send out a text that says 'let's go wining this weekend' and we're all on board. I even got my boyfriend into wine...and he was staunch in the fact that he didn't like the stuff!

[Skynet]

Thank you all very much for your recommendations!

Ket, I will definitely be saving that list!.

I haven't decided on what to try next, but I'll let you folks know once I make a choice!

[Skynet]

Today I had a glass of Firestone Riesling white wine at a local restaurant. The taste was not half-bad, but I experienced a "kick" every time I drank it. Turns out it was rather light, asking around and that was just the alcohol in general.

Sadly I don't think that wine is for me. But at least I tried.

[FigTree]

There are HUGE varieties across red and white wines, as well. I'm a fourteen-year-old-at-a-slumber-party kind of drinker - if it's not sweet, I'm not about it - and I'm actually really partial to sweet reds over whites. I've found that most places I've lived (in the US) have some local winery brand that offers a sweet red that is often so cheap it's labelled as "sweet red" rather than something specific, and often it's pretty tasty AND under $10.

Temperature will also affect taste, so be aware of that.

Your local folks at your liquor store might be a really great resource. It's one of my favorite games when I'm going somewhere new to go in and ask for "red, sweet, and cheap," and I almost always end up with something I like.

There are also other fruit wines that you might like better - blackberry wine is pretty great.

[Oniya]

I might be misreading, but it sounds as if it was the alcohol content that was the uncomfortable factor this time around.  That said, there are alcoholic beverages that have lower ABVs than wine (which usually falls in the 8-14% range)

Beer is usually 3-10%  Pilsners are around 3-6%, Lagers tend towards the 4-5% range, India Pale Ales are in the 6-7% range, and Stouts are 5-10%.  I'm personally not a beer-fan, but everyone's tastes are different.

Wine coolers are usually 4-7% and have a pretty decent flavor (in my opinion), tending towards the sweet range.

Ciders - may vary depending on your source, but generally 4-8%  They also come in both sweet and dry varieties. 

[Callie Del Noire]

We have a couple nice vintages down here at the San Sebastian Windery in St. Augustine. (Just down the road)

They got a particular nice Rose for example.

[RedRose]

I'm a bad Frenchie, I don't like wine and know nothing about it 

[HippolytaSwe]

I just wanted to say - thank you, Ket, for that wonderful graphic of white and red wines. It is very informative, and it is greatly appreciated.

I am a wine aficionado myself, and nowadays I prefer red wines that are on the dry scale, but rich in flavour and bouquet. My favorites are definitely Pinotage, Primitivo and Zinfandel. When it comes to whites, I can't even drink the sweeter ones any more - but give me a nice, cold Chardonnay, and I will be quite happy.

But for me, more than anything, wine is supposed to go hand in hand with food. If you are having beef - the wine should be red to compliment the dish. If you are eating fish or seafood - then the wine should be white. Oh, and red wines should be served at a room temperature or slightly above, and white wines should be served chilled. Personal preference, that.