Let’s Start from the Very Beginning

On Friday, I took my mom to Old Town Alexandria with the purpose of wine hunting at Wine Gallery 108. We got a little sidetracked, especially when she saw the new coffee shop – Turkish Coffee Lady. While there, we met this lovely couple and got to talking about wine. They explained that they liked wine but wanted to try more to expand their tastes. “But where do we start?” they asked. MY PEOPLE! This is who I’m writing for – those who don’t know where to begin, but know they want to try more wine.

Flores Chardonnay from Chile

So, let’s start from the beginning. Start with what you like and explore wines with those grapes, similar grapes, and explore the regions where they grow. Wow…that sounds like a lot, so I’ll simplify. If you like whites and feel at home with a Pinot Grigio, try a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc or a buttery Chardonnay. If you have tried many of the white varietals, now explore them from other regions like New Zealand, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Washington State, Oregon, New York, or Virginia. Most people have tried many California whites, they do them well. So, start exploring different vineyards from California.

Malbec & Syrah Rose

A next easy step to expanding your palate is rosé wine. Rosés are typically very dry but can be found sweet if that’s your thing (it’s not mine). Rosés have exploded over the past 10 years or so with many wine makers experimenting with different red grapes – Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and much more. Don’t let the color fool you. Some of the light French Cotes de Provence rosés are light in color but big in flavor. I haven’t found one yet that I don’t like, and I love big red wines. I will dedicate a future pot to Rosé All Day where I will explore a variety of rosés.

Many white wine drinkers say they want to try red, but don’t know where to start. Start light and easy with a California Pinot Noir. These are usually on the fruity side versus the earthiness of an Oregon or Washington State Pinot Noir. Another lovely light red is the often-forgotten Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape, which dates back to the 15th Century. The French Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages is such a light, juicy red and runs about $10. Red blends tend to be fruity. You can work your way a bit darker, but still fruity such as a Shiraz, Zinfandel, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. These are typically fruit-forward wines, meaning you’ll most likely taste cherries or berries right up front. Fruit-forward reds are easily found in California or Oregon. They are typically dry, meaning little to no residual sugar.

The next step are the earthy reds. This is where I live. I like a full-body, full-in-the-mouth feels. Typical varietals of earthy reds are Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, and Mencía. What does earthy mean? You’ll find these have more spice and pepper flavors, more tannins, and some say they taste leather, stone, or minerals. You should decant these for 25-45 minutes, no matter if you have a $20 bottle or $200 bottle. It softens the wine to let it breathe.

Delicious Tempranillo

I love a good Spanish Rioja made from the Tempranillo grape. A 100% Sangiovese from Italy is a dream come true. Here in Virginia, you’ll find the Cabernet Franc which is fantastic with grilled and smoked meats. An Oregon or Washington State Pinot Noirs tend to be on the earthy side, which I absolutely enjoy. You can also find Cabernet Sauvignons that are fruit forward or earthy, but both pair well with the char on a grilled steak. Are you drooling yet?

And that’s the tricky thing about reds – some of them can be fruit-forward or earthy like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. It’s best to ask the bar tender, wine manager, wine shop owner, or winery staff and tell them your preference. Tell them you’re starting to explore and looking for lighter red, likely fruit-forward. If you want to try earthy, tell them. Tell them your price point too. They are there to help.

Read the descriptions in the store. Many of your local wine shops or grocers who carry wine provide the tasting notes. These typically come from the wine maker. That doesn’t mean you will taste the same thing, but it’s a good guide. When I started tasting new reds, I read the descriptions and found out that anything with vanilla, chocolate, cherries, or berries was a great place to start. With whites, like many people, I leaned away from heavy oak tastes. You’ll find some are “unoaked”, which indicates they are aged in steel barrels versus oak. This was due to the trend away from the heavy oak, but I can also taste the 100% steel barrel and like more of a balance to my whites. Many white wine makers have discovered using both is a great balance for most wine drinkers.

Finally, take advantage of your local store’s top picks. For example, Wegman’s has a Top 20 wines for spring, summer, and winter. They provide descriptions and are typically under $25 per bottle. It’s an inexpensive way to taste new wines. Local wine shops may also have featured wines because they are trying to help their customers try new varietals. Costco hires sommeliers to select their wines and owns Kirkland Vineyards. I’ve recently discovered Macy’s Wine Shop, having bottles from California, Oregon, and Europe delivered to my door. Total Wine also delivers. Why do I mention these inexpensive or discount places to get wine? Because cost is not indicative of taste. If you’re starting out, then why spend a lot to discover you may not like something? These are easy resources. As you expand your palate, expand your resources.

Some people may disagree with me on some of the info I’ve shared, but I believe they have had a different experience. And that’s the beauty of wine. We can each have our own experience, and none are wrong. You taste what you taste and if it’s different from your friend, partner, or family member, then that’s okay. My intention is to share with you my perspective on what I like to help people explore and enjoy more wine. I hope you will share your positive experiences as well. Cheers!