I received a small wine rack as a gift..?

Question

I believe it holds 4 bottles of wine. I would certainly like to buy a few bottles, however I know absolutely nothing about wines other than the fact that white zinfandel gives me a terrible headache.

I would like to get a few good brands as many of my friends love wine - and I would eventually like to serve it.

I don't want to get cheapo brands (that will show my ignorance of wine) but I am also on a budget and can't get majorly expensive wines that are going to break the bank.

Can anyone suggest some good tasting, reasonably priced wines that I can start my collection with?

Answer 1

Here are a few of my faves:

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $16

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (it's a red, not blush), $10 (any Bogle variety is good...& $10)

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc (South Africa), $12

Georges Duboeuf Saint Amour Beaujolais (France), $10

Except for the zinfandel, these are all nice and light wines for the summer.  Enjoy the wine rack and what you put in it!

Answer 2

Avoid the blush wines, such as white zinfandel. Try to attend some wine tastings (preferably free ones) in your area, and get a couple of whites you like and a couple of reds you like, and try to obtain suggestions for food pairings. ;) Good luck!

Answer 3

If you ask 50 people to suggest 2 bottles of wine for your rack, and you listen to them, you will be buying 100 different bottles of wine.  

You said that white zin aives you a headache. How about other varieties. It may be that all wine is having the same affect. Go out and buy a few reds and dry whites like Chardonnay, and see how that feels.

If you would like to keep 4 bottles of wine for that unexpected guest that drops in, visit your local Wine and Spirits shop and talk with the wine buyer.  There are many fine wines on the market for $10 to $20 that would please any guest, and maybe yourself.

Answer 4

If wine gives you headache, its mostly like the "tannins" (which are more prevalent in red wines.  Zins are great, try rosets and white wines).  Wines dont need to be $, you can get a great bottle for $10-12.  Go to a wine shop and see the selection, BevMo is great if you have one in your area.  It has a large selection and great prices.  Best thing is to ask the "wine guy".  Let him know your taste preferences (& your budget) such as floral, fruity, oaky, sweet, tart...... he will be the best help.  They may even allow wine tastings.  There are many great wines from CA, as well as, many intl wines.

Good luck & Enjoy!!

Answer 5

It's soooo nice to have a few bottles of wine laying around so that if people drop by you can just open one up.  And nothing is better than having a varied selection to go with a couple different meals.

Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Russian River, California-----$18

Kinda has a peach flavor and would be great with seafood like scallops...

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbés 2005

------$17

This is a riesling which makes it sweet and this one is very nice (albeit a bit hard to find--order online)  It could be enjoyed with meat or just as a sipping wine.

Morgante Nero d'Avola 2006

Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy------$19

Yummy, velvety, blackberry, chocolate, black pepper, and vanilla flavors make this a great wine for pasta.

Trimbach Gewurztraminer 2005

Gewurztraminer from Alsace, France------$20

Rose scented and perfectly paired with spicy foods.

(The bottles that I have recommended are from my own collection and I usually purchase online...although, what a great reason to go to some local wine-tastings?!)

Cheers.

Answer 6

Ok so I have no idea where you live and what is available in your area.

My best advice is to go into a wine shop and find some one that gives you good advice (the only way to figure that one out is to try them out). Honestly finding the right retailer is half the battle, you do not need to know about wine, you need to find someone who knows about wine and understands you.

Wine tastings are great for that, look around in local newspapers and go taste stuff to get a bit of an idea of what you like and dislike.

WARNING do not tag feelings to names. Say you taste a chardonnay and you do not like it, that does not mean all chardonnay are created equal and you should steer clear of all of them. Think more along the lines of a what body you like (heavy, light, rich, spicy or clean, fresh and crisp).

At the same time do not fall for the "Brand" thing. Go outside the box, take recommendations from your retailer. If they are good they will help you stay within your budget and make you happy. So you go back to them for your wines.

They are some great finds from Europe at great prices. Spanish wines often times have a great selection for the value, same for a lot of Italian and some french wines. You should find some great wine from Southern Italy and Sicily, (Nero d'avola, Primitivo, for reds, Insolia, vermentino, vernacchia, for whites are a few)

I hope that helps, and enjoy.

Ps: not all pink wines are sweet, roses from France, Italy and Spain are fantastic dry alternatives to whites. They go with everything and refreshing on a hot day.