Sunday, June 24, 2012

New to WIne? An Odd Way to Choose a Decent Bottle.

I like wine a great deal. Summer is the perfect time for a chilled glass of the stuff. I was talking to a friend on FB about choosing wine and thought I'd share this. Here's my tip for those new to drinking wine. 
I want to say this without offending anyone. This is an observation I have had over the years and I mean it in the best ways possible. I think it will be helpful in demystifying wine a bit so PLEASE don't FREAK OUT.
I find that wines are like the people that grow them. 
California Wines are easy and can be a bit fruity. HOGE is one.
French, Spanish and some German wines are fantastic but more complex and maybe too rich to hang out with most of the time. I can only afford one a month. Funny enough, the Germans make a GREAT sweet wine with a huge name, Gurwurztraminer, its complex, and pricey but worth it. 
Anyway... wines from Chile are great! They are cheap but not trash. They are good and flavorful and do what they are supposed to do relatively inexpensively. About $8 to $12 bucks. I would by this over most Australian wines. I feel most that I have tried needed more age and are too sweet but fun to try out. 
In white wine, Washington State wines are a more sophisticated, affordable compared to California, more wood and Oak in the end more serious.  Chateau San Michelle is one.
On the sweet end, Port is a surprise. It is very sweet, strong but not usually harsh. Great to sip slowly and a bit sexy. It is almost always great tasting starting at $12 bucks and up. If you drink too much and abuse it, will hit you hard in the end. 
 I think I love the Italian wines the most. Even the reds like cabernet Sauvignon or bubblies like Perseco are not as sweet but over all are softer to me than French or even Spanish wines. Italians drink wine like water and seem to love easy and flavorful on the way down. Gallo Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect combo of California and Italian and can be not obscene to bring to a party with The Recession still going on. Their Sauvignon Blanc is an affordable wine that's great tasting chilled and good with most food combinations. It is great at for a large party, a bit sophisticated than Chardonnay and easy going when you need it. 
I'm on a Sauvignon Blanc kick now. Once a week or so, I grab a bottle form Italy or Chile. 
I hope this was helpful to you. Enjoy!

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