Chardonnay

[ZhaZha]

I think that I have just become interested in wine about one year ago. My mother has always been a wine drinker (Chardonnay, preferably). I did not like the taste when I was younger, but now I love it. I tend to drink Chardonnay much of the time. However, I am unsure about the different brands available. Normally I like to drink while out with friends. I think the name of the wine that I had the other day was Columbia Crest. However, I tend to eat tomato based foods. I do not find that the Chardonnay goes well with these types of food. It tastes a little metal-like. I am just becoming familiar with wines. What can I do to develop familiarity with them (the types of wines, the body, etc.

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[Innkeeper]

Hi ZhaZha, and welcome to the Wine Board. If you want to stay with white wine recommend riesling or sauvignon blanc. The reason for these is that they are higher in acid than chardonnay, and will go better with tomatoes for that reason. If you want to try an easy to find red, look for pinot noir or barbera either domestic or imported.

[ZhaZha]

Thanks Innkeeper

I will try these soon.

[Kcwhippet]

There's a far cry between the Columbia Crest and the Far Niente. Since ZhaZha doesn't sound like a high roller wine drinker, I think the $50 price tag on the Far Niente may be a bit past her price point.

[Innkeeper]

The last Far Niente Chard that we tried (it was received gratis) was an oak bomb.

[ZhaZha]

Baysholis,

What do you mean by a hint of leather?

[ZhaZha]

Hey guys,

A friend of mine wants to know of a good sweet red wine. She does not like the bitter taste of the red wine. Can you give her any tips?

[wondersofwine]

Lambrusco (Italian red) is sweet and sometimes fizzy. Reunite is the brand easiest to locate but there are better producers if you search around. Mavrodaphne is a sweet red wine from Greece. Some midwestern wineries make sweet reds. However, most red wines in the world are technically dry (the fermentation removes most of the residual sugar). Some that are light in tannins and full of ripe fruit may taste sweet although the sugar content is imperceptible. Some Beaujolais wines (from the Gamay grape) and some Pinot Noir fit in this category. If you see the basic Argyle Pinot Noir from Oregon (under $20 a bottle) your friend might like that or a Beaujolais Villages wine or a cru Beaujolais such as Fleurie or Brouilly.