When I ventured out into the red wine territory from my white wine habit, I was intimidated. Even the experts offered conflicting advice and direction. You don’t have to be intimidated. Below is a great short list of how to approach red wine, found on the Napa.org website.
You don’t have to rely on just Napa and Sonoma Valley wines from Northern California. Suisun Valley wines are up and coming, rapidly taking a place on the table in restaurants and wine bars. Try one on your dining room table and envision a walk through the vineyards in Suisun Valley.
Enjoy!
Choosing the Intensity
The first step is determining what type of red wine you are interested in. You may be looking for a wine that is dry and intensely flavored, or one that is lighter and fruitier. The more intense red wines are Cabernet sauvignon, Shiraz, and red zinfandel. The lighter red wines include Chianti, Beaujolais, and red table wines.
Finding The Right Vintage
When you set out to buy red wine, it is important to know that these wines get better with age. Generally, wine experts agree that red wine reaches its maturity after three years, so look for wines that were bottled at least three years ago.
Experiment With Wine From Different Regions
While browsing through wine choices, you will notice that there are varieties from all over the world. It used to be that most of the wines available were either French, Italian, or from the Napa Valley. However, today it is easy buy red wine from places such as Chile, Bolivia, Australia and South Africa, and they are readily available in most stores. Try some from each region in order to get an idea of the subtle differences in flavor.
Ask For Recommendations
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from salespeople. Most major supermarkets these days have their own wine buyers and employ knowledgeable representatives in the store who can help you make your choices. If you are shopping at a wine store, there are sure to be experts available there to answer any questions you have.
As seen on Napa.org