Similarities in taste?

[bskough]

Thanks again for all your responses to my previous post. I really appreciate all your expertise and that you're willing to share it with a noob like me.

I've found that my favorite varietal, by far, is Petite Sirah. I absolutely can't get enough of it (The 2006 David Fulton is to die for!!!). Anyway, I also like zin and some shiraz/Syrahs are good too. I have found that I don't really care for Pinot Noir much and Cab Sav doesn't really do it for me either (although I've had one from Sequum that I enjoyed and the 2004 Silver Oak last weekend was good as well). I'm so-so on Merlots and Malbecs and haven't really had enough of the other reds to know too much.

On the white side of life I don't really care for them. I've had some chardonnay that is okay and I've enjoyed a riesling or two. I had one Pinot Gris I liked and white zin is okay.

I've been told by a local sommelier that I like bold, fruity wines. That makes sense to me. So my question is, are the three that I mention specifcally (Petit, Zin, and Syrah) on one end of the taste spectrum and Pinot Noirs and Cab Savs on the other? Is there really such a spectrum. I'm kind of hoping so because that will be easier for me to process all this. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

I also had a question about tannins. What is that and does it show up in a wine's flavor profile? I've been told that Petit Sirah has firm tannins. So I repeat that to some of my friends who don't have an idea of what I'm talking about so I can sound smart. hahahaha.

Again, I really apprecaite each of you taking your time to share your wisdom with me.