General guide for picking wine at your local grocery store

[natto fire]

It is too bad you are not in Ohio. I would tell you to go to The Andersons. There is probably a similar grocery store in California. They basically had LOTS of different wines, and usually a couple people to ask, not to mention the vendors were friendly as well.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
I use the trial and error method. I come from an Italian family, so we always had a lot of that in the house, but lately I've found that I'd rather pay $5-7 a bottle and make it an adventure. I tend to try South American or Australian wines, since I've found the most bargains there in that price range. If you're at the supermarket and want something cheap and almost certain to be drinkable, I've had more hits than misses w/ Chilean wines.

If I'm going to spend more, I try to go somewhere w/ either someone else, or a place who'll have an employee that can help me. For the amount of wine that I drink, I should probably know more, but I don't

Yeah, try try try try try. It's the only way to know.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: edro
I love Pepperwood and Twin Fin Cabernets. Each are under $8.
You just to need to try a bunch when they are on sale, and stick with what you like.

I don't know what I like. I've only tried Merlot and its a bit bitter. I think I'm more of a white wine guy.

I used to be a white wine guy.
The more red wine you try, the better you will like it.
Now, I stick with red wines. Cabernets and Merlots.

A tough aspect to get over with red wines, is drinking them at room temperature.
After a while, you sill start to see why you must drink them at room temperature.
While sweet wines are better chilled, red wines are meant to envelope all of your taste buds.
You swirl the wine around your mouth to warm it up even further, letting it soak into your tongue. Try to "feel" the different flavors.
This can only be done without the numbness of cold wines.

Good red wines to start with are Pinot Noirs and Chiantis, as they are usually the lightest and sweetest.
They make light and sweet Cabernets and Merlots as well though.

For now, just stay away from anything that is called "heavy", "earthy" or "dry" and you should be alright.