Bitter wines?

[bestwillis]

I want to ask something. I know that as far as for the taste, there are sweet wines, acid wines and other wines, but I dont know if there is a bitter taste. Is it? Can you adivse me some good wines? Especially french wines. Thank you and excuse my english.

[wondersofwine]

Welcome to the board. Your English is better than my Slovakian or Czech.
Bitter is one of the tastes the tongue can pick up (along with sweet, salty, and sour, like the acids you mention). Tannins in the wine from grape skins and stems (sometimes crushed along with the grapes) or from the wood in the barrels, can leave a bitter taste and dry up the mouth. To avoid bitter tastes, some French wines you might try (I can't predict which ones will taste good to you) are Vouvray from the Chenin Blanc grape or a Riesling or Gewurztraminer from Alsace for whites, and a Beaujolais-Villages or Beaujolais Cru for reds. Also you might try a rose' wine from Provence, Anjou, Chinon, or Burgundy.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 02-22-2005).]

[Kcwhippet]

Welcome to the WineBoard, BW. It's interesting to hear from someone from Slovakia. Three of my grandparents are from there. My mother's parents are from the Bratislava area. My other grandfather is from the little village of Nechvalova Polianka in East Slovakia, and he was one of 14 children, most of whom stayed in the area. I have a lot of cousins who live in Presov and Humenne.

[bestwillis]

This is interesting. I live in Bratislava:f) What is your surename? Or what is the surename of your grandfather?

For wondersofwine: Thank you for the advice, but I would like to try some wines with bitter taste. If it is good of course or its not a bad sign of wine. I also red, that there is also a wood aroma in some wines. Is there something similar in taste? Thank you very much!

[Kcwhippet]

Surname is Sisak. There are many relatives with that name in Presov and east of there. Most are involved in theater, medicine or as university professors.

[wondersofwine]

Some Bordeaux red wines have a flavor of cedar wood; some describe flavors such as pencil shavings. You might try a Bordeaux Superieur or a classified growth Bordeaux if you are willing to spend more money. Some of the 4th and 5th cru are not too expensive. Grand Puy Ducasse seems to be fairly reliable or you might try a Chateau Talbot.

[bestwillis]

Thanx alot! I really appreciate your help. I will try to try those wines and tell you later. Thanks!