Wanting to Appreciate Good Wine - Need Help

DiamondDust · April 28th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Hey Everyone...

I've just started to appreciate a good glass of wine here recently after years of thinking it wouldn't be my thing... yeah... I was wrong.

Anyways, I'd like to hear some suggestions on labels/varieties/regions/etc. I should give a try. I'm on a South American kick right now and have a feeling I'll follow it with a taste of Spain. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

LCN · April 28th, 2009, 10:48 PM

MD20/20 rocks !

Seriously , have you tried a bottle of Syrah ?

bayoutider · April 28th, 2009, 11:56 PM

I paid good money a couple of times to take classes where someone would tell me which wines should be good. What I learned most from those classes is that no one can tell you what you like. There are a mind boggling array of wine labels selling for under $20, many under $12. Try a few till you find a vineyard or style you like and go from there. What I like someone else might not like and what my wife likes I call mouthwash.

BigEasyTider · April 30th, 2009, 03:18 AM

The ol' Cajun chef Justin Wilson used to always say something along the lines of, "Don't listen to any of this junk about what wines go with what foods, just find a wine you like and drink that one."

Personally, I think that's about the best wine advice you can get. I've toured the vineyards of California and Europe, and frankly I just don't like most wine, no matter how good it is supposed to be.

bayoutider · April 30th, 2009, 12:06 PM

I happen to like many of the California wines.
The French wines in America taste different than the French wines in France. In France they are much better.
I like about half the Italian wines.
I like German wine.
I like Portuguese wine.
Most of the Spanish wines I have tasted I like.
I don't like many of the Australian wines or the South American wines.

The wines sitting on the top shelf are there because they are top shelf wines but don't be afraid to taste down a few rows. If you find a wine you really like buy it by the case it will be cheaper. Learn to read the label.

XXL TideFan · May 2nd, 2009, 11:14 AM

Some of the best reds that I had were in small pitchers at sidewalk cafes in Naples, Italy. Vino de la Casa.

Some were down right lusty. That was where I developed my wine taste. I have paid a lot of money for German Ice Wine hate almost gagged on it.

It is a taste thing. Recently found a label called "Old Gnarly Head" that is supposedly from old growth vines that was fabulous and economical. I love the reds.