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+--- Thread: looking for the right wine (/thread-18106.html)
- johnny21220 - 10-28-2003
I've just started to become interested in wine recently. I have tried some nice merlot's, pinot noir's and cabernets. I went to a wine specialty shop in my area Baltimore) and found they were not very helpful to me. There are so many different types of wines that I really don't know what to buy or where to start. I feel as though I'm limiting myself by not trying many of the different kinds of wine. Any suggestions on where to begin? I feel as though I'm going in blindly. Should I take a wine class before I dive in?
- Innkeeper - 10-28-2003
Hi Johnny, and welcome to the Wine Board. Why don't you start where you are; sort of painting yourself out of a corner. If you have had nice merlots, pinots, and cabernets; expand on that. Where did those wines come from? It is almost certain that they make those same wines in other countries. If they all came from California for example, look for those from Australia, Italy, or Washington State. After a short while, you will be able to tell which you like better.
Then you can start making some decisions. Was it the pinot from New Zealand you liked better than all the others? Then, maybe you should try some other New Zealand wines. Get my drift?
- Drew - 10-29-2003
Welcome Johnny, which wine shop in the Baltimore area? Have you tried any wines and do you prefer white or red? I know a lot of good wine shops in this area that would love to help you.
Drew
- Brom - 10-30-2003
You could take a class, but everybody loves an autodidact.
You have started the right way - buying and trying wines. You will find as you progress that this is one of the most expensive hobbies you can indulge in, because the only way to keep going is to keep buying.
I do recommend buying wine books. There are several very worthwhile ranging in price from affordable to extravagant. A nice little primer is "Oz Clarke's Wine Guide" at $14. He re-ups it yearly.
Keep buying and trying. Read a little about the wines you like and the grapes that make those wines.
Do as suggested above and buy different makers of the wines you like, but buy unfamiliar wines too. If you can, always buy 2 bottles, one you think you like and one unknown.
There is so much more. Best advice, keep tasting. Look for wine tastings.