Getting into the reds

[cragmor]

My wife and I enjoy some light wines, I am especially new to wines. She likes the zinfandels and we both like reislings and I am becoming fond of Gewurztraminers.
So we are looking to get into red wines.
We have a pinot noir that we sampled and loved so we are starting with that.
Anyone have any other ideas? Our main reason is that we are going to Italy for our anniversary in a couple of years and want to be prepared for their wine.