Next step for wife after Moscato

[timnit]

Hey there..

I finally managed to get my wife to try wine, although reluctant, the only thing I could get her to drink was Moscato.

So my question to you all is whats next for her? She has been drinking Moscato for about a year now, what should i attempt to give her next with the view to trying to develop her palate? Riesling? I am really not sure as white wines are not my thing...

If it helps she is 28, lovers her ciders (berry based) but loves strong lime flavours.

Thanks!

[dan_smee]

I'd try off-dry rieslings or off-dry semillon.

Some Aussie ones to try would be:

Thomas Wines Six Degrees Semillon
Helm Half-Dry Riesling

The beauty of this is that once she gets used to those, you can progressively pick wines with less and less residual sugar.

[maybs]

it does sound like a semi sweet or off dry Riesling would be the natural progression. If you want to keep it Australian something like the Frogmore Creek FGR Riesling from Tasmania may be the go. More residual sweetness than many of the Clare and Eden Rieslings but still good citrus and balance.

[Rossco]

Some rose' may be another choice.
Turkey flat or Charles melton are very accessible, although not
Really in a sweet style.

If she likes a sweeter style and you want to gradually introduce
Less sweet styles, possibly Rockford alicante bouche

[TravisW]

Off dry sparkling/champagne?

[TrickyH]

There's actually quite a bit to explore within the Moscato family from the ultra sweet through to the more complex - something like Rockfords frontignac might help your wife develop an appreciation for the more complex nature of wine while still appeasing the need for sweetness.
As others have said Rose is an option but you need to be careful, Rose's can often have a medicinal sweetness. I'd lean towards one of the Jacob's Creek ones or Bird in Hand.
However my preference would be to try a Sparkling Shiraz. Avoid the bigger ones to start with (Rockford Black, Primo Estate) but go for the sweeter style such as Seppelts Original. (Don't forget to drink it chilled)

[cuttlefish]

There are also the Brown Brothers reds that are on the sweet side:
Cienna,
Tarrango,
Dolcetto & Syrah.
The Brown Brothers "Crouchen" wines all have a bit of sugar too.
Then there are the emerging wines that are Sauvignon Blanc with a "dash" of moscato in them.

[Phil H]

Lambrusco for the transition to red wines, however McGuigan Black Label was also a transition many years ago for my better half.
There are plenty of desert wines to try (botrytis) including the Brown Bros previously mentioned.

[timmspe]

It sounds like the you and I are working on a similar project

I reckon it's worth trying to pair the wine with a well matched meal. The process of planning the meal and the wine can be interesting in itself, and it makes the wine more than just a drink to get through, but something that complements the meal. Or you could come at it from the other direction, and find a meal that she really enjoys, and find a wine to match.

Personally, I reckon Riesling might be a bit too dry and acidic for someone who doesn't drink a lot of wine. But you will find lime and citrus flavours in Riesling.

We've had the most success with Gewurztraminer. I would recommend Lawsons Dry Hills Gewurz, in particular.

Have also had some success with Pinot Gris.

I agree with the Rose recommendations, particularly Rockford Basket Press.

As I understand it, Moscato is a type of wine that is made from the same grape (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) that is used to produce Muscat Blanc and Frontignac. Muscat Blanc and Frontignac have less residual sugar (therefore 'drier') and higher alcohol than Moscato, but still contain most of the same fruit flavours and can therefore give the impression of sweetness. So, sticking with those same fruit flavours, Muscat Blanc or Frontignac might be a good way to see how she adapts to a drier type of wine.

If you want to try reds, I agree that Sparkling Shiraz is a good place to start. The chill factors helps. Seppelt is a reliable choice. Grenache might also be a good red to try.

[catchnrelease]

Belgravia Gewurztraminer is a great bottle and one that converted a few "I don't like white wine" people I know. The off-dry style seems to be popular amongst people who aren't massive wine fans. Try getting the 2010 vintage if you can - it's still drinking well, although towards the end of its life, and is a fantastic example of Aussie Gewurz. I drank my last bottle a month ago.

[daz]

Belgravia Gewurztraminer is a great bottle and one that converted a few "I don't like white wine" people I know. The off-dry style seems to be popular amongst people who aren't massive wine fans. Try getting the 2010 vintage if you can - it's still drinking well, although towards the end of its life, and is a fantastic example of Aussie Gewurz. I drank my last bottle a month ago.

I was going to suggest a gewurtztraminer too. If you can find a 2011 Bests great western Riesling, it's the only Aussie Riesling I've had with as much body and ripe varietal fruit. I tried Browns crouchen riesling years ago but it was way too sweet for my palate though perhaps not for your wife. I don't remember having ever tried moscato

[TravisW]

You're missing out Daz. A good Moscato is fabulous. Low alcohol, bags of flavour. Perfect for a hot QLD evening.

[catchnrelease]

I was going to suggest a gewurtztraminer too. If you can find a 2011 Bests great western Riesling, it's the only Aussie Riesling I've had with as much body and ripe varietal fruit. I tried Browns crouchen riesling years ago but it was way too sweet for my palate though perhaps not for your wife. I don't remember having ever tried moscato

I had a bottle of BB Crouchen Riesling from I think 2004 (?) a year or two back and I would've called it almost a dessert wine. It was good, but damn it was sweet.

Also the 2011 Best's Riesling gets a big tick from me as well, I drank a lot of them young (so good) and unfortunately only have one left (which I promise to cellar until at least 2020).

[JDSJDS]

I'd say German or New Zealand rieslings, as they are usually sweeter than Aussie versions.

[Polymer]

Another vote for Rieslings..you can get some very nice complex German Rieslings that will have some residual sugar...that'll lead her to try different types of Rieslings...aged rieslings, etc, etc..

[timnit]

Thanks for all the advice guys..

I have purchased the following two wines (the first recommended by a friend)
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_382 ... ie-vouvray
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_322 ... r-riesling

Thoughts? Any other advice?

[sparky]

You're missing out Daz. A good Moscato is fabulous. Low alcohol, bags of flavour. Perfect for a hot QLD evening.

Totally agree and same with Prosecco. I like to do a buttermilk pannacotta with caramelised berries along with it. Delicious and guaranteed date night wine/food combo if you know what I mean..

[phillisc]

Moscato...blah. Threaten her with a crisp lager if you have to..anything but sugary sweet muck that has very little body or substance.

Agree with riesling, and or Champagne...so many different styles... would take you weeks and weeks to get through them and from the off drys to the more slatey mineral styles there is bound to be something.

Or do what I did
Wifey 25 years ago liked Ben Ean, Moroomba and Blue Nun

First three reds were the 70s Wolf Blass JWTs...never looked back...unfortunately neither has my wallet.

Cheers
Craig

[cuttlefish]

Thanks for all the advice guys..

I have purchased the following two wines (the first recommended by a friend)
httpphys.com.au/product/DM_382894/bourillon-dorl-ans-la-bourdonnerie-vouvray
httpphys.com.au/product/DM_322553/frogmore-creek-fgr-riesling

Thoughts? Any other advice?

....suggest not linking to another liquor retailers website from this forum (which is provided by auswine.com.au)

[Duncan Disorderly]

Another vote for Rieslings..you can get some very nice complex German Rieslings that will have some residual sugar...that'll lead her to try different types of Rieslings...aged rieslings, etc, etc..

While my fiancé was drinking more than Moscato when I met her she definitely leans to the sweeter styles, and, like Polymer suggests, German Kabinett style riesling is a great place to go. Not only are they sweeter, but, like moscato, they are low in alcohol. By introducing my fiancé to German riesling I have also benefitted as it has given me a great excuse to explore more of the truly wonderful wines the German's produce.

Vouvray is a also a good choice (try the demi sec styles), as is the Millton Te Arai chenin blanc from NZ or even the plain old Amberley Chenin from WA. Like others I can also heartily recommend gewürztraminer, with Skillogalee being my favourite from Australia.

[Diddy]

Another vote for the Bests Rieslings. From memory, my wife loved the EVT 51 when we visited their cellar door. She also loved the Frogmore Creek which I see you've picked up from DM.

[Michael McNally]

Why not just let her drink what she likes and let her palate evolve as she desires.

Cheers

Michael

[TrickyH]

There are also the Brown Brothers reds that are on the sweet side:
Cienna,
Tarrango,
Dolcetto & Syrah.
The Brown Brothers "Crouchen" wines all have a bit of sugar too.
Then there are the emerging wines that are Sauvignon Blanc with a "dash" of moscato in them.

Had the "opportunity" to try the Dolcetto & Syrah last night. Not as bad as expected. A touch less sweet than moscato, not complex and quite linear in flavours but there's something else there too that lifts it above just being a cordial wine. I have to admit to quite enjoying it on a hot night.

[Mike Hawkins]

I'lll third the Sparkling shiraz recommendation. Stay away from Champagne, is an expensive hobby!

[Panda 9D]

Why not just let her drink what she likes and let her palate evolve as she desires.

Cheers

Michael

I was wondering when someone was going to say this.

[TrickyH]

Why not just let her drink what she likes and let her palate evolve as she desires.

Cheers

Michael

Not speaking for the OP but from my point of view there are two reasons:
1. The principle of the lowest common denominator dictates that whenever you are in a social situation the wine selected must suit the palate of the least "evolved" drinker. If the person with the least evolved palette happens to be your significant other then 4 out of 5 times you are going to find yourself drinking something inferior to what you want. This is the motive to help the palate evolve.

2. For a lot of people palate evolution works in a Kubrickian way: evolution marked by external intervention.
For myself, I was quite happy drinking Jameson's Run Chardonnay until a girlfriend suggested we try a bottle of Rockford Basket Press Shiraz (apparently her boss mentioned it to her) we took a chance and it literally changed my palate on the spot.
Maybe that is the best approach: forget about trying to slowly change your wife's palate, just keep offering her good wine until one finally sticks.

[Michael McNally]

Not speaking for the OP but from my point of view there are two reasons:
1. The principle of the lowest common denominator dictates that whenever you are in a social situation the wine selected must suit the palate of the least "evolved" drinker. If the person with the least evolved palette happens to be your significant other then 4 out of 5 times you are going to find yourself drinking something inferior to what you want. This is the motive to help the palate evolve.

2. For a lot of people palate evolution works in a Kubrickian way: evolution marked by external intervention.
For myself, I was quite happy drinking Jameson's Run Chardonnay until a girlfriend suggested we try a bottle of Rockford Basket Press Shiraz (apparently her boss mentioned it to her) we took a chance and it literally changed my palate on the spot.
Maybe that is the best approach: forget about trying to slowly change your wife's palate, just keep offering her good wine until one finally sticks.

Hi Tricky

On the principle of the lowest common denominator. If 4 out of 5 times you find that you are drinking what your significant other likes and you don't and 1 out of 5 drinking what you like but your significant other doesn't, then wine may not be the issue.

On evolution, I don't know much about Kubrick. I've seen a few of his films, but never attempted to ascertain an overarching "way". However, I would think that all evolution is marked by external intervention, as I am not sure how something contained in a vacumn could be said to evolve! That's said, I think your conclusion as to a best approach is spot on. And you get more of the good stuff while she enjoys her wine.

Cheers

Michael