where be all them novices?

[winoweenie]

We must have the most knowledgeable group of drinkers on the board. WW

[Jackie]

I'm guessing they just can't find us...

[winescom]

We are fixing all the remaining kinks, but expect some new wine lovers soon!

[Shannan]

I'M HERE!!! I have never been much of a drinker, but I'm gaining a new appreciation for wine. I'm definitely a newbie since everything I've liked so far would be a "sweet" wine (Riesling, Moscato, White Zin). Any good "sweet" reds to try out there? I'm not concerned about meal pairing, just a nice glass to have when I come home from work.

[wondersofwine]

Some Midwestern wine producers make a sweet red wine. Worldwide most red wines are dry. Exceptions to this are some dessert wines such as Vin Santo (Italy) which can be made from either white grape or red grape varieties, and vintage Port (both Vin Santo and vintage Port are expensive wines.) Some sparkling wines from red grapes have a little sweetness--Brachetto d'Asti such as Banfi Rosa Regale (Italy) or Bugey Cerdon from France. You might try looking for fruity red wines which will almost seem sweet even though they don't have residual sugar. A Beaujolais-Villages might please you or ask an informed wine store employee to make a recommendation for an easy-drinking and fruity red wine. Perhaps if local liquor laws permit, he/she could open a bottle and let you have a taste to see if you like it before making the purchase.

[winoweenie]

WELL FINALLY!!!! Glad to have you on board. I'm sure one of the experienced drinkers on this here thingie can steer you to a nice sweet red. WW

[andrawes76]

Shannan, I have had some very interesting Marsala and Shiraz that are sweeter red wines, not offensively sweet though. Try the Marsala which is from Sicily. You can find the link here and its found in most stores. Report back and let me know what you think. To give you an idea of how sweet wines are made, the sugar in the grape must be high so the grape can either be raisined or fortified to add sugar which converts to alcohol. Late harvest wines, dessert wines or ports are also sweet. http://www.wines.com/wines/colombo-marsala-fine-sweet