HI-
I am VERY new to wine. I typically don't drink wine, except Arbor Mist And I think you would consider that a sparkling wine. I would like to like wine since we are getting married in July, and then off to a honeymoon. It would be nice to have a nice glass of wine while sitting by the beach at night.

Last night, we tried Sutter Home White Zinfandel. I thought it was tollerable, but I only drank a few sips. I don't think it was sweet enough for me. What would you suggest I try next.

Thanks,
Rae Ann

quote:

I would like to like wine

I would like to like green vegetables, but I just don't. Don't force the issue Rae Ann. There are plenty of beverages you can sip on the beach at night.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

PH

Hi Rae Ann,

Well, yes, new to wines you are. Congrats on the upcoming marriage. I'm guessing that your fiance is a wine lover, or at least a wine liker.

Basically it boils down to this, if you think the Sutter Home white zin is not sweet enough, you're not going to like anything drier (the majority of serious wine).

If you are convinced that wine is something that you want to enjoy for your wedding, head to your local wine store and ask to try a Champagne that's labelled as demi-sec (sweet style), or something similar they recommend. If you don't like it (it'll be less sweet than what you're used to, but waaaay better), a sweet or dessert type wine is your way to go. Look for muscat (St. Supery moscato is fairly easy to find), a port (Graham's Six Grapes is tasty and easy to find), or if your pocketbook will allow, a Sauternes. Basically, if you try a decent Sauternes, and you don't like it, serious wine just isn't your thing (some of the forum posters will tell you to leap off the nearest building at this point).

One book I'd recommend is Great Wines Made Simple by Andrea Robinson. Its snob factor is very very low, and Robinson makes it very easy to "get into" wines by making recommendations on learning how to taste them.

Good luck,

grunhauser, is that you?

quote:

Last night, we tried Sutter Home White Zinfandel. I thought it was tollerable, but I only drank a few sips. I don't think it was sweet enough for me. What would you suggest I try next.

Pepsi?

Rieslings and Gewurztraminers are good starter wines. They offer sweet fruit at a reasonable price. And as you get used to them you can start buying drier and drier styles until you get used to dry wines and can move on to Sauv Blancs ans Chards.

Isn't the book "Great Wine Made Simple" written by Andrea Immer?

Yes.

PH

At the risk of being called a dummie...I have a collection of 8 general books on wine. Early on, one that helped me get a good basic understanding was "Wine for Dummies."

Also, if you can get ahold of a video on wine by John Cleese "Wine for the Confused" it is very basic but good was helpful when I knew less than almost nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by Ines:
Isn't the book "Great Wine Made Simple" written by Andrea Immer?

Yep, Immer it is. My bad. Great book though.

You don't need to understand wine to enjoy wine although I don't see anyone gathering knowledge about wine without enjoying it. For the record, white Zinfandel is quite possibly the worst wine I've ever tasted.

You can't force yourself into liking wine, although I've heard many people being converted by a single bottle - thinking they don't like red wine/chardonnay/sweet wine/german wine/etc until they have an epiphany and then they start embracing it all.

What triggers your wine love, I don't know. From my own experience converting people I'd say wine and cheese combinations are powerful as persuasion material. Chèvre and cripsy Sauvignon Blanc is what did it for me I think, but there's usually a perfect wine for whatever cheeses you may like.

Or just go to a good restaurant and ask a decent sommelier and he or she will probably be able to help you.

It's all about that first spark!

quote:

For the record, white Zinfandel is quite possibly the worst wine I've ever tasted

I could not agree more

Rae Ann: Get out there and experiment! Ask sommeliers, go to your local wine shop, or just randomly pick a bottle off the shelf and see where it takes you! Wine is such a great adventure and I toast anyone who is about to go on it.

Cheers!

"Carpe Vinum!"

Rae Ann,

Congratulations and blessings on your wedding.

I believe the trick to working one's way into wine is to always have food of some kind with whatever you drink.

Order a bottle of German Riesling. Tell the server you want something pretty sweet. Ask them to bring you and your hubby a bowl of fruit or some cheese. Alternate sips and bites. Food makes wine taste better, wine makes food taste better.

You'll soon find you have developed a taste for the wine on its own and then you're off to the races.

Congrats on the wedding!

get a bottle of "Veuve Clicquot" champagne, its like cat nip to champagne newbies.

or if you have trouble with the name, go into any wine store and ask for the bottle of bubbly with the yellow label.

I think you will enjoy this very much.

quote:

Originally posted by NJ Cabbie:
Congrats on the wedding!

get a bottle of "Veuve Clicquot" champagne, its like cat nip to champagne newbies.

or if you have trouble with the name, go into any wine store and ask for the bottle of bubbly with the yellow label.

I think you will enjoy this very much.

Good stuff, will always be met with nods of approval from most folks (it looks very fancy), and can be had for 35 bucks on sale, but the label's bright orange on the commonly found stuff, not yellow.

I certainly would not turn down La Grande Dame, but don't you think that Asti Spumante is a more logical step up from white Zinfandel?

Has anyone mentioned the coincidental similarity of Rae Ann and Andrea?

good call it is orange isnt it.

I would like to thank everyone for their help. You can keep the suggestions coming! Last night we ventured out (while the snow and ice were falling- we got 12 inches of snow in CT)and we went to a package store. We bought a bottle of Sutter Home Moscato.....and I loved it!!!! We drank the bottle while watching the Russel Crowe movie "A Good Year".

I have tried Asti Spumante at Bridal Shows and have like it very much too!!!

Thanks,
Rae Ann

If you like Spumante and Moscato, try to find an Asti Moscato, a sweet and less fizzy version of a Spumante.

Try a Brachetto too if you can find one.

Louis Martini used to make a sparkling Moscato which was sold only at the winery. I wonder if he still does. It was a wine even snobs could enjoy on a summer afternoon.

Hi Rae Ann,

I think someone said it earlier, that perhaps you shouldn't have to force yourself to like wine, just because the situation calls for it. But I understand if you want to explore and see if you like it. I am not a wine connoisseur either, but if you like sweeter wines, try a Shiraz. Also, I just discovered the greatest wine ever. Its super cheap and you can probably get it in most grocery stores. Its called Black Opal, 2005 Shiraz from Australia. Its so sweet and delicious. Yum.

Rae Ann,

M.J. makes a good point about Shiraz. It's not my favorite, but try the Black Opal, you might like it. Also, I've been drinking a Costco wine I get for 19 bucks, Yangarra, 2004 Shiraz, it's Australian (McLaren Vale), and will knock your socks off.

Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by EagleGrafix:
At the risk of being called a dummie...I have a collection of 8 general books on wine. Early on, one that helped me get a good basic understanding was "Wine for Dummies."

EagleGrafix, you're no dummie. "Wine for Dummies" is by far the best book to get a basic, solid, understanding of wine on which to build. Most wine experts (I'm not claiming to be one) would agree with you!!

Something like a Spatelasse or an ice wine might be to your liking...