Where to start?

[aesop]

After recently discovering Gary's show, my interest in wine was piqued. Never having much exposure to wine, I'm uncertain of where to start. I realize that your "palette" is not my palette, but I would like some suggestions on a good, reasonably priced wine to start with.

I think I'm likely to be more into the sweet, fruity taste, if that helps.

Thanks in advance, and even if I end up not liking your recommendation, it will at least push me into the wine world(which I hear is 'changing').

[mikec]

Please define "reasonably priced"? Is $10 as high as you want to go? $17? $25? Many of the wines Gary has reviewed in the past fall between $10 and $25. Of course some are more.

As I posted before, why not see if there is a wine bar in your area or a restaurant that has a good wine reputation. Get some friends and go. Don't forget a notepad and pen. Taste a few glasses and see what you like. Also, are there any wineries in your area? Go and taste there. Tell them up front that you are a novice.

One of the quirks of wine is that not all wine shops deal with the same distributors. What does that mean, well several wines Gary has scored well I can't find at two of my local shops. You might see a show and he rates a wine highly but you may not be able to find it in your area.

[cammyknoxville]

I too am just getting into wines and thanks to Gary's show, hopefully I'll be quite knowledgeable fairly soon.

But until then, I have a safety wine that my wine friend told me was good for any party / occasion: Francis Coppola Diamond (Black Label). Hasn't let me down yet!

[gobo]

Gary's going to be upset

Gotta try lots of wines!

[mikec]

It's great to have that "safety wine" but get something different as well. Use the Coppola as a starting point in a never ending journey.

[sisterchristian]

Best thing to do... Try a lot of different things!!

I didn't use to drink wine, in fact I thought I didn't like it. Now I am a devout wine drinker.

Here is what I did..

I went to my local bevmo and picked up a couple of different, very cheap ($5 range) bottles of wine, and just tried them out. Over time I figured out what I liked and didn't like.

For "sweet" wines I would suggest a Riesling or Gewurztraminer. But pick a a cheap a Red as well and try it.

Part of the fun of wine is there is SO many different varieties to taste and try. Also check out the Wine Library forums. Bad form to suggest a different forum, but there is TONS of great info there!

[dstrack007]

The number one thing is do not be intimidated. "Wine for Dummies" is actually a pretty decent book which lays out the basics in an easy to digest manner. Two of the most important things in my "book" are:

1. Get A Decanter - even a cheap one & use it. Decanting isn't only for old or expensive wines. It just lets the wine breath better ... and sometime the less expensive, young wines REALLY need to breath.

2. Drink red at room temp and white a bit cooler than room temp. If you like your wine "cold" or even your white with ice cubes chances are you're not really tasting the wine at all (sometimes that might be a bonus ;-)

... a third is ... glasses really DO matter. I can't suggest that everyone go out and buy Riedels because they cost so much (if you want to drop $20-40/glass go for it... you'll be glad you did... until you break one ;-) but I do suggest getting something that has a nice open mouth so you can really get your nose in there to smell the wine. It makes a real difference.

[crobarian]

One of the things I like about Wine Library TV is that they are pretty good on explaining stuff to new wine drinkers. They even built an area of their website to help new wine drinkers. Try there:

http://tv.winelibrary.com/new_to_wine