Total Newbie...need help

[joeyz6]

Emk, I just graduated from college and am still incredibly poor, yet I love wine, so I can relate to your situation. Regarding the syrah/shiraz that you tasted, where was it from? Try some Australian shiraz in any case; it's good for beginners and it's cheap. In fact, Australian wine in general tends to be a good value and, I have found, very pleasant to the novice tongue. New Zealand, too.

I am not a merlot fan either, by the way. Its merit as a varietal is often debated, sometimes on this wine board, but in Bordeaux it is usually blended with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and others. There are exceptions, of course ...

[This message has been edited by joeyz6 (edited 11-18-2002).]

[Ianaman]

I am a beginning wine drinker and I too have found a good Pinot to be more to my liking. While I have found a few Pinots to be rather bitter, I prefer the minimal aftertaste when drinking without food. There are some meals, my mother's meatloaf, for example, that mellow a decent merlot to a more palatable point. I know it is rather unorthodox, but I have found putting a bottle of Pinot in the fridge for a few minutes before serving reduces the "bite".

[emkb2271]

Ok, update time. Lately I've gotten more whites (in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday), in particular a white Zin and Voignior.
The white Zin is from Sutter Home, and I must say that it has quickly turned into my favorite wine to drink casually. The flavor is relatively soft, and I think that it has a touch of a peach taste to it. Very easy drinking. And I loved the price - I got a large bottle at my wine store for about $6!
I also picked up a Voignior at the suggestion of a friend, and I must say that it is exactly what the winekeeper told me - an excellent replacement for a Chardonnay. Inasmuch as I wasn't enamored with the Chardonnay, I have found that the Voignior is very much to my liking. This one cost about $15.

[Innkeeper]

Who is this Winekeeper person? Thought I knew all the Keepers. You might try Beringer or Buehler White Zinfandel. They are a little more elegant.

I'm off to pick up da bird.

[emkb2271]

no no no...not a winekeeper on this post...the winekeeper at the store :-p