What is a good red wine for a beginner?

Question

What is a good red wine for a beginner?

Answer 1

Little black dress is a great inexpensive wine.  I usually find it at health food stores.

Answer 2

Try a Bordeaux blend (merlot and cabernet) or a Merlot from California. However, even though you're asking about reds, if you're new to wine in general I'd start with whites like Riesling or Pinot Gris

Answer 3

Lambusco is excellent. We say that in my parents' liquor store. :)

I like (and have in my mom's fridge) a unfinished cherished half gallon of Arbor Mist BlackBerry Merlot. I strongly suggest it. Easy to drink.  

Answer 4

If just beginning to enjoy wine, don't go too expensive.

I would suggest the two following:

Carpenito "Dogajojo"  or  Monte Antico.

Both are Italian Super Tuscans for about $10 ea.

Pinot Noir is a nice light red for beginners but hard to find a good one that is inexpensive. If cost is not a factor I would try:

La Crema Pinot Noir at $42

You may also wish to try some Beaujolais.  It is a bit fruitier than the above wines and good ones can be easily found that are inexpensive.

Answer 5

I always recommend Riuniti Lambrusco in my liquor store. A simple introduction to reds for a newbie.

All you wine pros will laugh I know. I am drinking a great cab right now. Placido 2002.

Pinot Noirs tend to be a bit expensive because the grapes are kind of rare. Try a mix.

Liberty Creek has a very smooth, not very dry or bitter, cabernet sauvingion. And a big bottle is cheap. I sell it for $9.

Answer 6

pinot noir or beaujolais (sp?).  They're lighter than cabs or zinfandels.  Then, move on to cabernet, and save zinfandel for later......And, I agree:  California wines are the best:)

Answer 7

I would stay away from White Zinfandel. That wine is an abomination. The best way to start with wine is to just start tasting different wines and discover which wine best suits your tastes. The best way to do that is to find a nice wine bar that offers tasting flights or host a tasting party yourself.

However, if you just want to buy a new bottle and try it yourself then I would recommend a nice Pinot Noir to start. You can find several very nice bottles in the $15 to $25 range. Below that and it is pretty much hit or miss. Personally, I like Willamette Valley Pinots from Oregon or Santa Maria or Santa Ynez Valley Pinots from California. Some great producers are Foley, Au Bon Climat, King Estates, Sanford and Etude.

If you are feeling adventurous then you should try a nice Zinfandel (not White Zin) from Paso Robles, CA. Eberle, Four Vines, Cass, and Peachy Canyon are all excellent producers. If you are willing to dish out a little cash then you should hunt for a Turley or Justin (some Justin wines are more reasonably priced and all are well worth the money).  

Answer 8

A lot of times, people start with the sweet wines like Concord or even a Fredonia or Symal. However, when my nephew started drinking wines, he went for the dryer wines, like Cabernet and Merlot.

Your best bet would be to go to a specialty wine shop that allows sampling, or a winery near you. When tasting, you start with the dry wines and go to sweet. If you start with sweet and work towards dry, the wine very quickly resembles vinegar.

Answer 9

pinot noir, it is smoother than most of your reds. there are several good ones from California for around $10.00/bottle

Answer 10

A nice Pinot Noir - my husband likes La Crema, Blackstone, and Byron.  There are lots of good ones to try - enjoy!

Answer 11

I would say Merlot would be something palatable that everyone knows and serves well with steak.

Actually I believe the best starter is something that is a little on the sweet side, a blush perhaps like Beringer White Merlot or even try  White Zinfandel which are rather good for it's price and it can be found at most local supermarkets. Once you get familiar with wine you'll find many varieties to try! Try some of your local wines from your state or nearby area's....

Texas wines rock!