Red, Red Wine

[Kailex]

Needed to ask for some suggestions on red wine (I'm fully aware that I am posting in the Mature Man forum first, but I was hoping for solid suggestions from some of our older and more experienced).
I'm going to a local Wine Bar on Saturday. It's a pretty classy joint. Problem is, I don't really drink hard liquor or beer anymore. I've had wine in the past but have become clueless to the best types of wine.

What I do know is that I don't like really dry wine.
I do enjoy a red wine, but the dryness kills me.

It's been several years since I worked a bar and even though, women mostly would get White Zinfandel so my knowledge of red wine has disintegrated into nothingness.

Would appreciate suggestions FOR a man, again, this isn't for someone I am going out with... it's for me. I think one glass is not only beneficial for my health but the overall knowledge of what I am drinking and the fact that I'll actually like it, might help my overall "attractiveness" (Gentle sarcasm there).

Looking forward to suggestions.

 

[iqqi]

Before you enjoy wine, you are really going to have to develop your palate.

As for a suggestion in a nutshell, I'd say go for a pinot noir (or a pinot nero if they have one and you want to be cool - it's really the same thing). Pronounced PEE-NO NO-WAAR. Sorry if I am being condescending, I am not sure how much you know about wine.

Pinot's tend to be good for newbie red wine drinkers because they aren't so dry, are more light and fruity. But as a new wine drinker you may find even those to be hard to enjoy at first.

If you want to seem a little more sophisticated... Malbec's are trendy right now but I'd steer clear of that. Sangiovese or Chianti might impress a few ladies. Can't go wrong with an Italian red. Will you enjoy it as much? Maybe not at first. Let me know if you need help with pronunciation!

One thing about red wines is that they will stain your mouth and can leave an unattractive residue on your tongue. I know they are "sexy" but I'd suggest just one glass and maybe even bring a mini toothbrush if you are going to be picking up chicks!

Otherwise white wines are a fine choice. Reislings are safe choices because they are sweeter and Americans are used to drinking sugary pops and all that. However, a wine snob will know for sure you are a newbie if you order that. Otherwise it depends on the actual wine itself. I don't like dry white wines, but have had a DELICIOUS buttery Chardonnay that had obvious hints of vanilla and caramel, and once a Sauvignon Blanc that had tropical Now or Later flavors to it! YUM.

Here is one question that would really help me pick out something good for you: do you like cream and sugar in your coffee or tea? Also if the place has a link to their wine list online, feel free to PM it to me. I can tell you how to order the wine and look like a pro. For example, you never want to just order "the house cab, please." You will sound like you know what you are talking about if you order the name of the wine and year if necessary, instead of just the varietal.

 

[The Inside Man]

I hate dryness too, but have been trying alot of red wines over the last couple years. My favorite is a Beaujolais called Louis Jardot. It is imported from france, 10 bucks a bottle, good enough to drink the whole thing in one setting. I cook with it too. It just says, "red burgundy table wine" on the bottle, it has a beige label. Check it out!

 

[Rogue]

Pinot Noir and Red Zinfandel.

 

[amoka]

Iqqi, you truly know your wine.

 

[Scaramouche]

Dear Kailex,
most Italian Reds are dry,sour tasting try a Lambrusco,very sweet or a French Boujolais (Style)or why not step around the issue and buy a Rose,perhaps sparkling...Promise you these are quite sweet and lots of cancer fighting Revitrol.Reds tend to give a head ache and while they look nice and are nutritionally better knock one around.

 

[vatoloco]

When it comes to reds, I'd recommend trying some of the South American and Australian blends (Cabs/Shiraz/etc.) Not as dry as a Merlot but still nice and relatively inexpensive. Plus you score brownie points with your neighborhood wine snob for not drinking "American, Napa Valley garbage"

Though if it's a wine bar you're going to, they might have "samplers" of different wines, as well as good side food items to go them (cheeses, meats, etc.) If you know you want to get more familiar with reds, you might want to tell your server that this is the direction you'd like to follow.

 

[Kailex]

I'll post this here, see if I can get some additional feedback. Iqqi gave me some excellent advice.

Maybe some of you connonsieurs can give me a little more.

Here's a link to the place I am going to on Saturday evening and the list "By the Glass".

http://ahwinebar.com/menu5.html

 

[mpimpin]

How was it?