If you can't ask in your own journal, whose journal can you ask in?

[kitanzi]

Ok, I actually want to know. I do know that a great many people are fussy and particular and knowledgeable about wines. Me, I know what I like - much like art. Can you tell me WHAT you like in wines, and what wines you like, and why? I'm actually curious, and interested in learing more about it. Most of my exposure to "Wine tasting" has been through someone who I have trouble communicating with in the best of circumstances, and this all seems so nebulous and (forgive me) often pretentious that I just don't seem to get it. There are a couple wines I get fairly often, at least when I get wine, but I'm interested in trying something new and a lot of this seems absurdly expensive to me for taking a blind leap of faith on. (I was tempted to buy the Our Daily Red just for the name and label - I'm such a sad sucker for puns!) Are any of you wine drinkers? Feel free to pontificate, even lecture - how ever you can, give me information! Thanks!

EDIT: Cooking wines too, for that matter. I know several of you are accomplished cooks!

Comments

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

I'm fond of the bigger, more robust reds like merlots and cabs. My default "everyday" wine, though, would be one of the aussi shirazes (I'm fond of Black Swan, although I've heard good things about Lindemann's). For lighter foods, something like an Italian chianti classico (or, better yet, classico riserva) is good. For wine with a little spice, try a beaujolais-villages.

Avoid cooking wines; they're just cheap wine with salt added. Cook with the stuff you like to drink!

One thing you should do is find a store that has knowledgable sales staff; I know of three such within easy reach of me. Ask them what you can try.

Also, most of these aren't all that expensive; I rarely pay more than $10 for a bottle of wine, usually $7 or $8.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's very useful - especially good wines in a decent price range!