Well, all the talk about the baked chicken and wine made me decide to post this question.

My husband and I don't drink often. He may drink a couple of beers at night while we watch a movie if the kids are at my mothers, and if I drink, it is either a couple of wine coolers, or I have had a couple of the different flavors of the Arbour Mist and enjoyed it.

My husband and I know nothing about wine, but would like to purchase a bottle and enjoy a glass now and then.

I can say that I do not like strong alcohol flavors, and I tend to lean more towards fruitier drinks, even when I choose the Arbour Mist.

Can anyone give me any advice on something I may like?

By Missmudd on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 08:57 pm:

I would probably start w/ white wines or blushes. You might want to try a gewertzemeiner (sp?) they are fruity and slightly sweet. Zinfindel are good too.

By Jann on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:03 pm:

I am not really a sweet wine fan, but do you like red or white?
I would probably go with a German Reisling if you like a sweet white or a Zinfandel. I agree about the blush wines. I think Rose' are fairly sweet too.

My favorite all time wine is by Bogel (very reasonable too, like $9 a bottle but a pretty label for the wine snobs!) they have a really nice Chardonnay and a Petite Syrah that is just heavenly.

By Hlgmom on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:07 pm:

Try a reisling. Chateua St. Michelle makes a decent and affordable one. They are sweeter. Gradually make your way through the whites to the reds. I started this way meny many years ago and am now an avid wine drinker! Ihave to do a lot of wine and food pairing with my catering business as well! I pretty much only drink red now! Once you move to other whites I would go with Pinot Grigios and Sauvignon Blancs first then move into Chardonnays. If you get to chards a good first try is Toasted Head Chardonnay- Very buttery!
If you ae feeling adventurous and want to try a red- go for a Pinot Noir- Wild Horse is a favorite of mine- little pricey but so worth it! Can't tell you asked a question I like to talk about, huh? LOL!

By Jann on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

Hlgmom, I like Toasted Head too. I am so tired of 'oaky' chards...like the buttery ones so much better.

Pinot Noirs are so nice too. I like Estancia, like drinking velvet.

I would love to be a caterer!

By Jann on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:31 pm:

Luv, also just go to your local liquor store and talk to the owner/manager. Tell him your tastes and that you are wanting to branch out a little.
We have one wine store that we buy from and lots of time just go in and say "ok, tired of this taste, show me something new for this amount"

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:36 pm:

Muscat's are a very delicious dessert wine, especially with apple pie. It's my all time favorite. DH and I buy a case of it everytime we go wine tasting, which is about every 6 months or so.

White Zinfandel is the infamous favorite of most beginners. Beringer is a good brand.

By Kaye on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:00 pm:

For a first time wine drinker pink is best. Int he wine community pink isn't considered real wine, but it is a nice start. The blushes (there aren't many) tend to be a little smoother, not as harsh. Berringer can be an okay wine, but turns bitter fast (think vinegar). In general pink wines are cheap, so go ahead and buy the pricest one and you should be okay. Rieslings are really really sweet. From a pink wine to a real wine pinot grigio is a close white. Merlot is a very common taste in reds. I have tasted a brand called "yellow tail" they are pretty cheap, but I thought tasted good. Red wines get expensive quick, I am always happy when I find one I really like for less than 30 a bottle. Also think about going to the library and checking out a book (or even buying one), then taste some and make notes of what you liked. I didn't realize that there are some common wine terms, like oak tasting, peppery, etc. So if you taste several and read a description you will soon learn that you like reds with legs or a sweet white. Most wine stores have an occasional tasting, go in and make friends, it is a fun hobby!

By Jann on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 12:36 am:

Kaye, Yellow Tail is a really nice Australian brand! Good Shiraz too.
If you want to know some great reds that are most definitely under $30, let me know.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 07:49 am:

I tend to like California Chardonnays.......I had Yellow Tail recently in a restaurant and it was OK. I don't like red wines at all.

By Janet on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:51 am:

Find a place where you can taste their wines.. we've got a cute little winery near us that will give you a taste whenever you go in. That way you won't commit yourself to a whole bottle.
Some friends of ours threw a wine-tasting party (and soup/bread) not long ago...everyone brought their favorites, including homemade! It was a hoot. Maybe you could do that, too. Good luck!

By Janet on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:53 am:

I might also add that there is no "right" wine to have with certain foods, nor is there a "right" wine to buy. Drink what you like, with what you like. Don't be intimidated and think that you "should" be drinking a more expensive or classier-sounding wine. Find what you like and enjoy!

By Missbookworm on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 06:27 pm:

I agree with Jann Australian Shiraz's are a very nice inexpensive red wine...(I think they have white's too) but I'm partial to red's...although I do like white zinfandels' (the blush colored ones)

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 08:52 pm:

Hubby and I LOVE Australian wines! I think that is what we usually buy! It is not all that expensive, which just blows me away, since it has to come from so far away!

By Luvn29 on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:54 pm:

Wow! The response is overwhelming!!!

Thanks so much for all of your help. I am so excited to get started!

By Kristie on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 12:09 am:

I went to San Fransisco last May for my cousins wedding and learned alot about wine. I am from Wyoming and it seems that any thing other than Bud Light and Coors Light is too fancy. I LOVE Beringer White Zinfandel. I bought a bottle and it was only $6. It did turn a little vinigery and I was wondering if that was my fault. I couldn't get the cork back in the way it was. Is there a certin way to recork the bottle? I am new at this wine thing too and never thought to ask anyone here.

By Jann on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 08:57 am:

Kristie, after you open the bottle, turn the cork around and recork from the other end. It won't go all the way back in (which is good, cause you can't get it out easily without breakage) but it will go halfway and keep it sealed.
Just a word on reds. If you don't drink a bottle in one night, put it in the fridge to store. There have been some studies that show that red wine will get some bacterias if left out for too long. (we drank it for years not refridgerated after opened, but sometimes, better safe than sorry)