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Question: Questions about wine?

(Posted by: licia_ninh on 2010-03-09 23:02:43)

I seriously want to get into drinking wine, especially red because I love Italian food. The problem is that I can't get past the alcohol taste. Can any of you wine experts out there help me out with this? If I go for dry rather than sweet, do you think that would help? I tried Madeira wine when I was there, and I went for a super sweet one and I had to spit it out because the "wine " taste just hits me on the back of my tongue. I've heard a person can sort of work up to it by trying it with different cheeses maybe... Anyone? Hope I can get feedback and suggestion... Thanks!!

Posted by: angel on 2010-03-10, 02:52:24

Its a wrong perception that only red wines go with Italian food.White wine is equally good and tastes very nice and it also goes with your food choice and overall the alcohol taste is not that prominent in it. Try Sula Mosaic White or Sula Chenin Blanc, these are among the best white wines that I have tasted. And As far as cheese is concerned,it tastes nice with wine but does not dilute its taste.

Posted by: GibsonEssGee on 2010-03-09, 23:10:10

You could always try an alcohol free wine such as Eisberg (serve chilled) or grape juice to gradually get used to the taste.

Posted by: Kutt on 2010-03-09, 23:34:07

You don't want a super sweet wine, but starting with semi-sweet white is good. Try a Reisling (usually in a blue bottle), or a dry Reisling. They are semi-sweet and that's how I got into wines. One of my favorite white wines now is Kim Crawford Sauvingon Blanc. A little dryer than a reisling, but tasty. Or just take a shot of liquer before and the wine will taste weak!

Posted by: Jane on 2010-03-10, 01:25:53

Definitively.....Alcohol:- colourless, odourless, flavourless liquid. So it`s not the "alcohol taste " you cannot get past, it`s probably the tannin in the wine, or some trace element. As for sweet or dry, red or white, you will just have to try different wines, until you find one you enjoy, after all, a meal without wine, is like a day without sunshine !

Posted by: Mark on 2010-03-10, 07:31:27

Red wine, really should be dry if it is going to be paired with Italian food. One of the common misconceptions when people start drinking wine is that the alcohol is always present, it isn't. Better quality wines should be balanced, the acidity (the part that feels like it cuts through the sauce in your mouth to try and describe it) the tannins (the part of the wine that makes your mouth feel dry after drinking) and the alcohol should be balanced without one sticking out more then the others. Find a local wine bar that does tasting and start there. I'm willing to bet that tasting some better quality wine helps your along your way.