First time wine buyer; suggestions?

Question

I have purchased a "wine-tool kit" for some friends of mine that are getting married, then I thought it'd be nice to also pick up a bottle of wine for them. I don't drink wine and have never purchased it. I'm just looking for suggestions... I want something that is good; not cheap, but not expensive either. (I don't know how much wine normally costs anyway but I'm not looking to spend more than $30-40 on it. If it's more than that, forget it...)

Oh and this belongs in R&S because... Jesus turned water into wine...

Bonus question: The user above you shows up at your front door with a bottle of wine. Now what?

Answer 1

You can get VERY nice bottles of wine in the $20-$25 range.



I * really * like the 2006 Coppola Claret, 2003 Clancy's Shiraz Blend and the 2005 Terra Barrosa Shiraz. All of them are under $20. You don't need to spend $30 to get a good bottle.



The snobbery that exists in this area is insane. Don't buy into it.

Answer 2

MD20/20 You Can't Go Wrong Getting The Ol' Mad Dog... Hell, I Think You Can Get A Case For Forty Bucks And Have The Whole Wedding Party Grinning From Ear To Ear.



Bonus Question: I Open The Door And The User Above Me Has A Bottle Of Wine... I Reach Out, Take The Bottle, Open Bottle, And Take A Big Swig And Scream "Lets Party" At The Top Of My Lungs.

Answer 3

I've been in a similar dilemma before, but now I know what I like so it's easier. My advice would be to take advantage of the wine seller. They can be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to choosing a wine. They can advise you on what's popular, what average prices are and usually they can help by describing the flavor, like whether its sweet/fruity/dry/woody etc. I found that extremely helpful.

Otherwise, a popular choice for Red wines is a Cabernet Sauvignon (good all rounder) Shiraz and Merlot are usually more popular with men as they are often more dry and peppery almost. Popular Whites are wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Unless you want to go for a Rose` (in between Red and White) or a sparkling wine. Sometimes you can also buy small bottles, in which case you could put together something like a sample pack.

My advice would be to not worry too much about brands, especially if you are prepared to pay for a middle range wine, you can't really go too wrong. Reading the descriptions on the labels is usually a good way to get an idea on flavor too. I know sometimes they sound a bit airy-fairy but at least you get and idea on whether it's sweet or fruity or woody etc.



All the best of luck! I know how overwhelming it can be!



Hope my answer has been helpful :)



Oh and to answer the bonus question... I invite them right in and get out my best glasses! :)

Answer 4

There are some very good California wines like Senoma Vineyards or Earnest & Julio Gallo not sure if they still go by those names Has been years since I was in wine market.



Oh yea Mogan David Blackberry is great and I am not Jewish but parents used to have it all the time.



BQ Hope he brought a cork screw since any wine he chose would certainly have a cork, bring out a couple of glasses and enjoy it with him from his post I am sure it would be a great wine.

Answer 5

I recommend you look for a Cabernet Franc from the state of Virginia. I have had several different brands that were all wonderful and under $20 a bottle. This grape goes way back, but but has not been cultivated much, recently. It is one of two varieties that were cross bred to make the sauvignon grape that is used for most cabernets.



But the franc is making a well deserved come back. The franc grape has blackberry and black current overtones that make for a very complex sequence of tastes after a sip. I think they are growing this grape on Thomas Jefferson's land, once again.



I like shiraz wines from Austrailia, also



--

Regards,



John Popelish

Answer 6

It really depends on how much they know about wine and if they are big wine drinkers. Most beginners like a blush or some sort (White Zin). Whites tend to be more sweet while Reds are for more mature drinkers. But yeah, it really depends on the person. Maybe search by the fruit they like. I love cranberry wine, which comes in a light red.

Answer 7

you really need to know what THEY like, there's too much variety in wine to generalize



even within "red" versus "white" the options are endless (in terms of distinctly different flavor characteristics, not just silly labels)



there are HUNDREDS of cultivars in the the vinifera species alone



even with one cultivar, it can be made in a traditional "old world" style that is more restrained, or a more opulent "international" style that is calculated to appeal to a handful of critics and noobs



if you just guess, you can waste $30-40 on something that they could have easily told you "oh, we don't drink [varietal / blend X]"



***************



edit: sorry, just had to comment on the East Coast USA wine suggestion



there's no shortage of wine from different points on the globe that is grown in more arid regions that require much less spraying (if any) of fungicides (anywhere east of the Rockies in the USA is much more humid, thus necessitating more and more human intervention in keeping vines alive)



(for example, cab franc is also grown into exceptional wine in eastern Washington state -- in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains, which is a very dry climate region, as well as the Chinon subregion of the Loire Valley in France, which is where the cultivar is more of a native plant)



also, many of these wines with the same flavor quality level (and less chemical intervention) from areas more naturally hospitable to vines cost LESS than wines from small, niche, tourist-oriented wineries on the east coast; find out what your friend likes, and if they don't tell you specific regions, ask a wine merchant for selections from areas where vines are grown more sustainably

Answer 8

Depends what's in your area since not all places share the same wine. Frankly I'm not a wine drinker myself but I suggest to go online and see what other people have to say about different wines.

Answer 9

Stay away from boxed wines. Go with a red wine with a hard to pronounce name and you should be good to go.



Bonus Answer: Tell you you must have the wrong house cause I don't drink.

Answer 10

You can get a decent bottle for that, no problem.



The big thing is do they like dry-sweet, red-white. It's pretty hard to tell what they might like without some idea what they do like.



Your best bet is just go to a place that has a good selection and get help. But try to find out something they like first.

Answer 11

savignon blanc, port, and pinot noir are my favorites, but that's not saying they'll like it.



wines come as cheap as $10 buck up to a few thousand, you should be able to get a good wine for $30-$40, and don't be afraid to ask the fols working at the store for help in picking one out.



If you actually want to learn a bit about wine and/or like monty python, check this out: http://www.hulu.com/watch/79439/wine-for-the-confused

Answer 12

yeah, you should probably find out a bit more what kind of wine they like. i'l give you a link to a site that has a fairy extensive list of wines with reviews though to help you.



http://www.kenswineguide.com/wine.php?page=0



i like a good riesling myself, but not all people do - so like i said, it's best to find out beforehand. but you still get a star for thoughtfulness!



Bonus question: hey, the person above sounds they know their wines...i might just luck out and they show up with a muller-catoir riesling. i'd definitely invite them in lol.

Answer 13

I don't know much about wine. Most people tend to like merlot. When in doubt, ask for help. most liquer/beer/wine stores have at least one person there who knows wine.



Mythos at my door with a bottle of wine.....well, I guess stranger things have happened. I'd invite him in...maybe do a table dance for him...what the hell.

edit*

Mythos, strange cause you just don't seem to enjoy my high flying antics, you know. Drunken pagan stripper frogs just don't seem to be your thing, which is cool - to each his own. You're still welcome. I prefer gin though, just so you know.

Answer 14

Moscato d'Asti is a great italian wine. If you have a world market around you, i would strongly recommend you get it. It's super sweet! And it's 15 dollars a bottle.

Answer 15

it depends on what they like...go to a nice store, not a grocery or a department type store, and ask the sales person to help you find a bottle.



If anyone showed up at my door with MD20/20, I'd take it from them, slam the door in their face, then drink it alone. HA

Answer 16

Most people like the red Zinfindel in a box with a spout. It is from $15-20. It is very popular. Serves many.

Answer 17

I like Madd Dog 20/20 myself. You can get a good bottle for about $3 or you can splurge and get some Arbor Mist. ahhhhh what the hell live on the edge man go for the Arbor Mist!!!!

Answer 18

Wine are many types. So, what kind of flavor or type of wine do you want?

Answer 19

Something classy, with a screw-off cork.



I explain to her that I'm allergic to alcohol; that I break out in handcuffs and track marks every time.

Answer 20

You can get decent champagne for $40.



((((Jess))))



BA: Well I'd be a lady and invite her in, of course (then scramble to find something to give her in return - does (((wpf))) like cheesecake? ^_^?).

Answer 21

Mogen David Blackberry: millions of Jews can't be wrong.

Answer 22

the thing with whine is cheap whine tastes good medium priced horrible and very expensive tastes great.



If they don't drink much whine go for soft and sweet if they know their whine go for robust.

Answer 23

I dont think it belongs in R&S because you arent going to get the answers you want.

Answer 24

ok.

email me.

I'm a chef...a damn good one

...and a wine snot



xo

Answer 25

I'd tell greyface to get lost.

Answer 26

you cant go wrong if it either comes in a box or has a screw top

Answer 27

Stop your damn wining, nobody wants to hear it.

Answer 28

TRY JESUS BRAND.

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.

Answer 29

i dont know