Why red?

[Alex]

Hi

I'm 23 and only in the last 6 months I've been introduced to the pleasures of drinking wine.

I'm very intersted in understanding the reason why so many wine drinkers I’ve spoken to have a strong opinion against white wine? (Including a family friend who introduced me to wine in the first place) and reading a lot of the posts on this forum has only increased my question.

Can anyone help me out?... is there something I might be missing because my favorite wine is a white (Secret Stone, Sauvignon Blanc).

Thanks for any tips and advice

Alex

[Gavin Trott]

Hi

I'm 23 and only in the last 6 months been introduced to pleasures of drinking wine.

I'm very interested to understand the reason why so many wine drinkers I’ve talked to have a strong opinion against white? (Including a family friend who introduced me to wine in the first place) and reading a lot of the posts on this forum has only increased the question.

Can anyone help me out... is there something I'm missing cause my favorite wine is a white (Secret Stone Sav Blanc)

Thanks for any tips and advice

Alex

Nothing needed

All personal opinion, (those who prefer red simply speak louder it seems ) , I like white, red, even pink if well done.

Love Champagne, Riesling, good Chardonnay, aged Hunter Semillon and much more.

About the most amazing wine I've ever tried was a Chardonnay!

Stick with your ideas and preferences, and experiment widely!

[KMP]

Alex,

There are some characters (on this forum) who will try to tell you otherwise but its a fact - Real Men Drink White Wine!

Mike

[danclarke]

Hi

I'm 23 and only in the last 6 months been introduced to pleasures of drinking wine.

I'm very interested to understand the reason why so many wine drinkers I’ve talked to have a strong opinion against white? (Including a family friend who introduced me to wine in the first place) and reading a lot of the posts on this forum has only increased the question.

Can anyone help me out... is there something I'm missing cause my favorite wine is a white (Secret Stone Sav Blanc)

Thanks for any tips and advice

Alex

Hi Alex,
Not sure
Drinking whites was a natural stepping stone for me after drinking spirits and beer early on. I think just because they were also wet, cold. that sort of thing.
A little sweeter and lower in alchohol (generally)

It's probably the dryness and alcohol of reds that initially can set people back. I'm tipping ric and brian never had this issue.

But as you start drinking wines at dinner more and more you just get exposed to more varieties, food styles etc that lead you down the red path.

See I still like something cold after work. Sometimes beer, lots of times whites.
And when I'm a little run down, I like a little less alcohol and some sugar.

Don't rush it. Drink what you like, and at least occassionally try some other gear. And try not to be biased, or you will limit your options.

good luck

[n4sir]

Welcome to the forum Alex - this is an excellent first-up question.

My thought's are pretty similar to what Gavin & Dan have already said. I was weaned on whites to begin with, and have enjoyed reds much more as my palate has developed. It's coincided with a change in food preferences and exposure to many more wines/styles of wines too, but that said I still enjoy a really good white with seafood and/or hot weather.

About the most amazing wine I've ever tried was a Chardonnay!

That sounds interesting Gavin - do tell.

Cheers,
Ian

[Gavin Trott]

Welcome to the forum Alex - this is an excellent first-up question.

My thought's are pretty similar to what Gavin & Dan have already said. I was weaned on whites to begin with, and have enjoyed reds much more as my palate has developed. It's coincided with a change in food preferences and exposure to many more wines/styles of wines too, but that said I still enjoy a really good white with seafood and/or hot weather.

About the most amazing wine I've ever tried was a Chardonnay!

That sounds interesting Gavin - do tell.

Cheers,
Ian

Domaine de la Romanee Conti Montrachet (searingly intense and rich, yet balanced)

closely followed by (the odd bottle of)

1970 Lindemans Hunter River White Burgundy (read Semillon)

The odd bottle as huge bottle variation, but the best were sublime wines!

[Red Bigot]

Domaine de la Romanee Conti Montrachet (searingly intense and rich, yet balanced)

Yeah, even dyed-in-the-wool red bigots would drink this if they were offered a glass.

[J]

Welcome Alex,
My experience was along similar lines to start with. In my mid twenties start drinking whites and the odd bottle of cheap red. Then late twenties started to earn a little more money and started trying the odd bottle of red with a little more oomph. Started to think there might be something to this wine thing. Went and did a wine appreciation course and BAM! The bug hit. Began trying all sorts of wine from all over the world and have been through lots of different phases from drinking nothing but riesling for two months to now ten years later drinking more Pinot and Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. When I had these wines ten years ago I thought they were crap eg thin, tannic etc so I guess my palate has developed along the way to appreciate different sorts of wine. (Hopefully a bit like me with people)
Anyway good luck, enjoy it and don't take it too seriously and it will take you to fantastic places and people all over the world.
PS It can become a little obssesive and expensive. You were warned

[Red Bigot]

Hi Alex, welcome aboard.

As Gavin said, the red-preferrers (PC form of red bigots) seem to be the most vocal members on this forum, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Despite what Mahmoud (and maybe some others) seem to think, the red-preferrers don't care what other people like or drink, so don't be afraid to post about your favourite whites. Some people will always prefer whites, that's just the way it is.

In my case, I've been drinking wine for over 40 years, quickly moving from sweetish whites and Barossa Pearl to SA reds and big Rutherglen and Glenrowan reds and drinking mostly reds for at least 25 years. It's been almost exclusively red except for champagne and the occasional dessert wine for about 20 years. The reason is simply because I find reds much more interesting and satisfying and I have no problems finding reds that go with most of the food I like to eat, including fish. If money was no object I'd probably drink some whites, there are some very expensive ones that are interesting enough to make me forgo a red occasionally, although the reds in the same price range are usually even more interesting.

Over the years various people have tried to tell me I'm un-balanced, narrow, bigoted in my wine tastes. I don't know why they should care, I don't care what they drink, but I guess it says a lot for entrenched habit and convention.

Amongst regular wine drinkers who drink mostly above the cleanskin/quaffer level there are many who strongly prefer red wine, although many also occasionally indulge in whites as the white-wine-with-fish idea has sunk too deeply into their sub-conscious. Two of my regular tasting groups (weekly and fortnightly) taste almost exclusively reds and when we go out to dinners together the wines are almost exclusively red, except for the odd spouse who drinks white.

The way I look at it, if I drink a white wine, that's one red I'll never get to drink and life is too short for that.

[Grey Ghost]

Welcome Alex,

This is a question for which there is no answer. Everything said above is where you may go.

I grew up with watered wine on the table for the children for special meals; my big day came at Christmas dinner 1956 or 57, when I was allowed to choose the wine from the wine list - I liked all those smiling nuns on the label. I have been an accomplished wine-drunk ever since. Be warned - it can become an all consuming consumption. It took about ten years and then I started cellaring wine - even more expensive than just drinking it. Later still, I even converted the crew of the ship (some) I did my Nasho in - perhaps though, that was because it was three times the strength of beer.

I love white wines - except Sauvignon blanc (and even then, those go well with oysters) - Chardonnays, and especially Rieslings - however, they are all pale immitations of the real thing.

Here's to a fascinating journey with wine - I trust you enjoy it as much as I have.

GG

[GRB]

Welcome Alex,

While I still drink a little bit of white I am mostly a red bigot (red-prefferer doesn't even come close to an accurate descripition of Brian or Ric ) I personally find that for the money reds are more interesting and thus enjoyable but that is just for my palate. I think it may also be an age thing as you start to realise you only have so many drinks left in you liver / life you concentrate on what you like most. My advise is try everything but only drink things in volume that you really like, all variations on the Len Evans theme of "You only have so many bottles of wine in you life, never drink a bad one"

Ciao

Glen

[kirragc]

One of the first things I was taught about wine was there was a different one for every occasion.
Dont just think in terms of red or white. Fortifieds, champagnes, regions styles.......... the options are endless.

Be prepared to try anything.

The problem with these that claim reds as the only true class of wine obviously lack refined palates.

[Ratcatcher]

I don't get most whites. Anything under 3 years old and I can't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $60 bottle. I'm as happy drinking Windy Peak Chardonnay as I am drinking Petaluma. I like it as a drink but I don't see the greatness in the supposedly really good bottles. I see young white wine as just a nice refreshing drink. However I have had some scrumptious aged Semillons and Rieslings. That's the only white wine I'd rave about.

Reds are different though. There is a huge difference between quaffing red and quality red. I can clearly see, smell and taste that.

[Red Bigot]

.... the options are endless

The problem with these that claim reds as the only true class of wine obviously lack refined palates.

There are enough options with countries, regions, style, grapes etc in red wines to keep me going more than a lifetime without having to bother with the distraction of trying wines I know I won't like just to conform to someone elses idea of what makes a "balanced" palate.

I've had a lot worse insults than that, some of them even about my preferences for red wine. This is one of the more usual and predictable ones. Or did you just leave off a smiley?

If not, I'll add you to the list of people who think they must be right and don't consider personal preference to be a good enough reason to drink mostly reds.

[Alex]

Whow:shock: ... thanks guys.

Can you give me anywhere to start with reds?(remembering I'm only 23) I've had the pleasure of tasting a few but I'm realy unsure on where to start and how much to spend.

Thanks again

Alex

[Paullie]

Maybe start with your local regions, then expand to other regions and compare varieties etc.

[kirragc]

Relax RB Im just standing in for Serge while hes out in the bus.



PS these emoticons dont do justice to my obvious forum baiting

[Alex F]

Maybe start with your local regions, then expand to other regions and compare varieties etc.

Speaking of which... what is your local region Alex? Perhaps it would help if you updated your profile (and others who have not done so as well)

[Edit]Heh I wrote that... and then to my utter flabbergastness and shock realised I did not have a location either[/Edit]

[Red Bigot]

Whow:shock: ... thanks guys.

Can you give me anywhere to start with reds?(remembering I'm only 23) I've had the pleasure of tasting a few but I'm realy unsure on where to start and how much to spend.

Thanks again

Alex

Alex, start with some SA reds, there are a heap of good 2004/2005 reds in the under-$20 bracket that will help workout what you like. Where are you located? There are even some merchant-label wines (up-market cleanskins) at around $10-$15 that give a good variety of options.

Some that may be reasonably easily obtainable at under $20 in mixed-case buys:

Mamre Brook Cabernet 2004
Pepperjack Shiraz 2005
Leasingham Bin 61 2004
O'Leary Walker Clare/McLarenVale Shiraz 2004
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz and Quartage Cabernet Blend 2004/2005
Lake Breeze Bernoota Cab blend 2004
Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2004/2005
Zema Estate Cabernet 2004
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2004
Wynns Black Label Cabernet 2003/2004

No doubt there will be many other suggestions too. If you report back on wines you like or don't like we can suggest some more that might suit. Just don't buy a lot of any one wine until you are more sure of which wines you consistently like.

[Alex]

Alex F

I can't do anything with my profile just yet but i'm from Brisbane...

[Alex]

Thanks RB

I'm going to have a lot of fun in the near future...

[Red Bigot]

Relax RB Im just standing in for Serge while hes out in the bus.

PS these emoticons dont do justice to my obvious forum baiting

I'm relaxed, you might be surprised at the number of people who still seem to believe that what you wrote is correct and the only true way for a serious wine-drinker.

[smithy]

You drink whatever you enjoy!
its all good!
Sauv Blancs, ZRiesling etc are probably what we all started drinking, but thats not to say we don't any more.
Still love a S/B on occasions!

Best thing to do is ask a good retailer like Gavin, what would suit your tastes. Its amazing what they can recommend and how good it is to get something suited to what you enjoy.

Cheers
Smithy

[Alex]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions...

I will get back to you all on the wines I drink in the future and look forward to more advice.

Many thanks

Alex

[danclarke]

start with a turkey flat rose and report back if you liked or didn't like it.
then move to a grenache, then....

just a thought

[Alex]

Dan,

I have to admit that I haven't had that much luck with rose but I'll give your suggestion a go... Never give up!, Never surrender!

Thanks Alex

[danclarke]

Dan,

I have to admit that I haven't had that much luck with rose but I'll give your suggestion a go... Never give up!, Never surrender!

Thanks Alex

well maybe thats a clue, too sweet.
try dominique portet 06 instead

or..skip it, and try some grenache, or cab merlots
just keep coming back and you will get guided.

but I agree with what was said earlier. find a decent retailer. buy from him, tell him if you liked it or not and whay, and he will learn what's good for you.

and you'll be able to trust him in future

[Gavin Trott]

Dan,

I have to admit that I haven't had that much luck with rose but I'll give your suggestion a go... Never give up!, Never surrender!

Thanks Alex

find a decent retailer. buy from him, tell him if you liked it or not and whay, and he will learn what's good for you.

Modesty forbids

Sorry couldn't resist.

Its good advice actually, and someone local to you is even better

[Alex]

Dan,

I'm a firm beliver that just because you've tried one dose not mean you've tried them all so I will happily give your sugestion a go. The wine was very cheap anyway...

Many thanks

Alex

[DJ]

My hint when first trying reds is do it with food. Proteins reduce the effect of the tannin which can be quite off putting (bit like chewing on a tea bag).

The old saying of red meat with red wine is there to be ignored but not a bad tip when first trying things.

Cheese is also great - alot of purist say Brie or Camembert can detract too much from a wine - but most of us say stuff it we love the combination, especially if mains have been finished and half a bottle or more remains.

Tasting courses are a great introduction to different styles. Holidays in wine regions are a great way to try lots of different things (take notes even if you are young if you have a note book in hand a good cellar door will know you are trying to learn - notes need be know more than what you tried and whether you like it, but over time are likely to expand)