New to wine

[Slewfoot]

Hello to all, My wife and I have been drinking
wine only a few months. We are drinking the red
wine because it is good for the heart and my
cholesteral. The only one we've found that taste
good is Reunite (Lambrusco). But it is only like
8%alc. by Vol. We were wanting to find something
around 12 or 13% by Vol. But it needs to taste
like Lambrusco. Any help would be highly
appreciated.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Slewfoot, and welcome to the Wine Board. There are bigger and better Lambruscos out there if you look for them. Also, most wineries east of the Rocky Mts make a complete line of red and white wines across the sweetness specturm. If you have local wineries or can get to those in TN check them out. Some of these make dry and off dry wines from the same grape or grapes. If you find such a situation you might get some of each, and see what it is about the dry one that you don't like.

[stevebody]

As a transplanted Southerner living here in Seattle, I remember clearly what a chore it was to find a good selection of wines to try when I was in TN and NC, so I sympathise, Bro. As IK says, there are bigger and "hotter" Lambruscos but it sounds as if you and your wife like sweet reds and that's liable to limit your choices somewhat. There are a fair number of European reds with some sugar content but they tend to involve some $$$, like the Italian Recioto di Valpolicellas, which are really great but pricey. Late Harvest stuff like Zin and Aussie Shiraz may give you more choices but WILL be hard to find. (I work in the largest wine shop in WA and we only carry a couple) Try looking around online at some of the really great wine shops with good websites. Our own store is at Esquin.com and we special order stuff every day. You'll be able to ask questions that way, too, whichever shops you try. Definitely work on a relationship with someone in a local wine shop, too. They can special order for you and there is just no substitute for face-to-face discussion as a learning tool. Good Luck!