Good tasting wine?

Question

I am just starting to try different wines and the first one i tasted was a white zinfandel-big mistake. Some people may like it but I didn't like it at all. Any suggestions on what to try next? I guess the only thing I can explain about not liking the zinfandel was not that the flavor was bad but that it seemed like the alcohol flavor drowned out everything else. that's the only way i can describe it. thanks.

Answer 1

The alcohol in wine is inescapable.  I assume you've had other wines that you've enjoyed, so you might be using the wrong description.  Think about what you like in food and you will probably like similar things in wine, at least to begin with.  

Do you like acidic food/drinks, like lemonade or vinegary dressings?  Try a high acid wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a decent Pinot Noir

Do you like spicy foods?  Try a wine with spicy flavors, like Gewurztraminer or Syrah/Zinfandel.

Do you like rich foods like steak and lamb?  Try a rich wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Do you like rich seafood, like Lobster and Crab?  Try a rich white, like Chardonnay.

I could keep going, but I think you get the picture.  The best thing to do is to talk to your local wine merchant.  I've met a lot of people afraid to ask questions at wine.  Trust me, most professionals love talking about wine and would love to have a new regular customer.

Answer 2

Maybe you should attend a wine tasting.  Your local winery will have tasting on a daily basis.  And they expect you to spit it out anyway.  Start with dryer wines and work towards sweet.  Clense your palate with a cracker between each sample.  It can make a nice date too.

Answer 3

Try Pino Grigio, it's a white wine and you drink it chilled. Try one of the California makers, they usually are less expensive.

Answer 4

Unless you had a bad zinfandel, you're probably not a good candidate for a wine drinker. White zinfandel is about middle of the road in wine tasting; a mild, somewhat fruity, not too sweet white wine, as opposed to most reds.

If you like more flavor, less alcohol taste, try the flavored wines, like raspberry, blackberry, peach, etc. They are sweeter but more fruity and flavorful. Also, NY Concord grape is delicious.

Answer 5

Until you have developed a taste for wine, you won't like most of them, much less know the difference.

For the novice who is going by taste alone and wants something that simply tastes good, I suggest a nice Port wine. It's a sipping wine that's on the sweeter side, and I think you will really like it.

Answer 6

I just tried some Yellowtail sparkling wine, excellent.

Answer 7

you are going to have to get used to it.  most people don't naturally like the taste of wine, but if you started off with white zin - big mistake! firstly, it's very cheap and it's a middle of the road wine (a blush). you don't find a lot of blush wines, and for good reason.  i just think it tastes cheap - my mom loves it, but i think that's a generational thing.

usually, for first time wine drinkers, whites are easier to swallow.  if you like sweet - try a Reisling (from germany).  It's a desert wine and therefore compliments cakes, pastries, etc. that was the first wine i really loved when i studied abroad.

if you are going to try a red - try a pinot noir.  it's the smoothest of the reds.  some can be very smokey and harsh (shiraz, merlot).  once you develop a liking of a pinot noir, try something more adventurous.

welcome to the world of winos :)