good wine or bad wine? HELP!

[pemeric]

I am new to buying wine. I have been buying an Australian wine called Black Opal, and a Spanish wine called Marques de Caceres. What are these wines rated? Are they any good? I like red wines and would like to know of some full bodied, good wines.

[janrob]

Hi
If you like a wine, is good. If you don't like a wine, is no good. Don't worry about the ratings, it's just someone elses opinion. I like both of those choices. If you feel the need to expand your experiences, Rosemount from Australia make excellent wines, Conde de Valdemar (Rioja) or Vina Mayor (Rueda) are excellent substitutes. Australian and Spanish both epitomize the rich, full bodied, oak-supported style you obviously prefer. If you want to expand into other regions, start with some red California Zinfandel. Good drinking.

[Thomas]

The advice janrob gives is good. The ratings method is over-rated. The best way to learn is to read, to taste and to discover what you like and do not like. Do you rate your steaks or your pasta dishes? You either like them one way or another or you do not!

Vina Mayor is from the region, Ribera del Duero, and it is a fine Spanish producer: Crianza, Cosecha and Reserva.

Conde de Valdemar (Rioja) is also a fine choice. Look into Priorat too, but be prepared to pay a little more for it.



[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 01-10-2001).]

[pemeric]

Hello janrob and foodie,
Thanks for the advice. I will go and try those wines this weekend. I do like those wines I am drinking. I don't know much about the ratings, I just figured if the wine had a lower rating then it must be bad, and a wine with a higher rating must be better. So I thought I better find out which wines are good before I go and spend my money on bad wines. Sorry it has been a few days, but I only go online a few times a week. I will post the results of the wines you have both suggested next week. Once again thank you very much, I will have a glass for both of you. See you next week.