With that basic knowledge of not too tannic or too acidic, sommeliers know the right wines for anyone who asks for something mild. Dustin Wilson, master sommelier and owner of Verve Wine, considers Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, Trousseau and Poulsard to be classic examples of soft wine. What are the softest red wines for beginners? You may think that this is a strange title for a post, but this is one of the most common questions that friends who seek to expand their knowledge of wines ask me. Merlot is a key ingredient in Bordeaux wines, which also contain Cabernet Sauvignon and can therefore be quite tannic, especially when they are young.
But it's a versatile grape, and you'll find some great-value single-varietal Merlots around the world, including the Pays d'Oc and California. Good Merlots explode with soft, ripe cherry and plum flavors, and the more you spend, the more complexity you'll discover. But the GSM mix has also been imitated around the world and, for good reason, is wonderfully balanced. Grenache provides sweetness and lightness, Syrah adds depth of color, spices, dark fruits and body, while Mourvèdre provides structure and finish.
I like your list, these are very good suggestions for “beginners”. I'm not sure how readily available they are in your market, but I think U.S. UU. (WA in particular, or CA) is also good.
Gaja Barbaresco ranks first because it has a traditional yet rich composition that makes it a legendary drinking experience. Our summary contains wines that range from light to heavy, not only on the palate, but also in the pocket. However, there are few wines that can match the combination of elegance, richness and aging reliably delivered by the Gaja Barbaresco (see in Vivino). Harvest after vintage, this is an enduring classic that combines Piedmontese traditionalism with vineyard practices that break the rules introduced by Angelo Gaja in the 60s and 70s.
It's undeniable that there are other Nebbiolo-based wines from the same region that offer a similar experience for half the price, but when your family has been making Barbaresco in the same winery since 1859, we believe that the degree of tradition and experience justifies the extra waste. The easiest red wine to drink is Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are full-bodied and tend to have a mild flavor that many people find pleasant. But we cannot name a single wine that is easy for everyone to drink, since each one has different tastes.
Woodward Canyon, the second winery to be established in Washington's prolific Walla Walla Valley, has been producing delicious reds since 1981, and its “Artist Series” cabernet is a blend of grapes sourced from some of the most prestigious vineyards in the entire state, including the legendary Sagemoor Vineyard. They had been looking for a cold-climate site that could produce grapes capable of producing wines with enough depth and elegance to compete with the classics of Europe and, half a century later, their experiment has proven to be a resounding success, with the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard having established itself as the source of some of the Pinot Noir grapes most sought-after in California. Aromatics depend on many factors, such as grapes, the terroir (where the wine is grown) and the way the wine is aged. Chief Winemaker Peter Gago made it his mission to produce well-structured wines with deep flavors and, as he puts it, “a propensity to age.
Zwann Grays, wine director at Brooklyn-based Olmsted and Maison Yaki, cites winemakers with poor reputation, as well as poor vineyard practices and undesirable working conditions, such as some of his non-negotiables when looking for great red wines. Merlot used to be the most popular red wine on the market, but its reputation was somewhat successful in the late 90s, after the release of the film Sideways. Once you've decided to become a wine expert, you should learn to differentiate between the polished aromatic notes of any wine. Wine lovers turn to Cabernet Sauvignon for its intensity and Pinot Noir for its elegance, but if there are any grapes that can match both in each count, it has to be Nebbiolo.
This summary was edited by Jesse Porter, who has worked as a sommelier in numerous California restaurants with excellent red wine programs. Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for those who like white wine and want to try red wine due to its light body and low tannins. These complex wines, driven by the terroir, are grown in the ash-laden volcanic soils of the region, which impart an undeniable mineral quality to the juice. Prazo de Roriz is a remarkably complex red wine for its price, showing beautiful medium to deep ruby tones in the glass.
Produced from organically grown vineyards in the heart of Chile's Central Valley, this flavorful wine jumps with notes of wild strawberries, red flower petals and wild herbs. . .