Red wine suggestions

[FutureWineSnob]

My husband and I are thinking about getting into red wines. As far as whites go, I love (love, love, LOVE) chardonnays and pinot grigios - he leans more towards pinots and rieslings. I haven't enjoyed any sweet whites (hate moscato). I remember drinking a merlot many years ago and not liking it too much (but that was before I had acquired any taste for wine at all). Anybody have any suggestions for a beginner's red? Thanks!!

[swampguy]

I would start with some of the more fruit forward reds like Auzzie Shirazes. They don't have a lot of tannins which put off a lot of white wine drinkers. Also, Pinot Noirs are great first reds.
Find out if there are any tastings in your area. This way you can try a lot of different reds. Here in Baton Rouge LSU offers leisure courses in wine and many of the wine shops have tastings. Check your local wine store. I would check out Spec's. Good luck on your adventure.

[This message has been edited by swampguy (edited 12-21-2007).]

[Drew]

Fruit forward I agree with, overall Oz reds might be way to big to start with and Pinot Noir usually has some earthy, funky kind of complexity that might not be good to start with either. Try to find some wine shops that offer tastings, usually on weekends, that are free and usually highlight some wines that are easy drinking, smooth, fruit forward wines. Merlot, light red Zins, some of the Spanish crowd might fit the bill to start. Tell the pourer that you're new to the RED scene and ask for suggestions.

Drew

[dejong]

I got my husband into wine by starting him off with Ravenswood Zinfandel. It's only about $10 and is nicely fruit foward and not too complex. It's from CA. Another really good one to try which is highly rated and a major fruit bomb but won't break the bank is Pillar Box Red from Austrailia. It is a blend. Some other fun and easy blends to try may be Red which is from CA and by St. Francis. Also Red Truck by Cline is another CA wine that is fun to bring to parties. It is nice and easy drinking but also has a cute label. Hope this give you a couple to start off with!

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[This message has been edited by Kcwhippet (edited 12-22-2007).]

[Kcwhippet]

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Thanks.

[Innkeeper]

The reason for our policy on taglines is that many if not most of our regular participants are ITB. If all had taglines, the board would be a mess.

[wondersofwine]

Agree with the suggestion of Pillar Box Red from Australia. You might also try a Beaujolais Villages or a Beaujolais Cru such as a wine from Fleurie or Moulin a Vent or Brouilly. Spanish wines were mentioned and a simple Rioja wine from the Tempranillo grape or a Garnacha (Grenache grape in France and Garnacha in Spain) are quite fruity and might be enjoyed by someone new to red wines. Let us know which of these suggestions you try and enjoy and which you don't like and we can give further advice.