The Colour Red

[Big Sean]

Hi
Guess what Im new to wines,until I moved to Germany from the UK a year ago,I never drank wine now I really enjoy a red wine.
I let other friends with the knowledge of a good red to choose for me,Now I need to educate myself.
I would like to know more about....
What makes a good red wine?
Which country produces what?
Different grapes,blends,etc etc
Can you help

Sean

[hotwine]

Wlcome to the board, Sean.
You've asked some huge questions that have no simple answers. Suggest you begin a reading program. You can begin by reading all postings under this heading "For the Novice" for the last year, then expand into the other topics on this board; then pick up a couple of books that you will notice being discussed ("Wine for Dummies" being a good one for starters). Then read, study, buy wine, drink wine, make notes, read some more, and you will soon begin to develop your own answers to your questions.

[Innkeeper]

Unlike when we lived in Germany forty years ago, there is now very nice red wine produced there. Look for the varietals Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Lemberger. As produced there both are medium bodied, so trying them will give you a sense of which direction to go. If you want something lighter you might want to try Beaujolais from France or Barbera d'Asti (the lower price ones) from Italy. If you want more in a wine, you can try wines from Bordeaux or the Rhone region of France, or California Cabernet Sauvigon or Australian Shiraz.