a little tip when choosing a rioja ...... look on the back of the bottle and you'll see the contraetiqueta (the back label) usually in the bottom left corner. there a four colours. basic rioja (generico) is green, crianza (aged 2 years) is pink, reserva (aged 3 years) is purple, gran reserva (aged 5 years is blue ..... the darker the shade of each colour the finer the wine.

there's obviously more to know but these very basic tips will get you started on selecting a good rioja when you see them on offer in the shops.

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By *3gam4nMan over a year ago

wrexham

Ok one thing: saying you tried a shiraz or a cabernet is the same as saying you drove a ford or vw... each wine is different and each region produces a different result: a french shiraz will be very sharp and earthy while a californian will be smooth and spicy... then each one has a different vintage and ageing... each wine has a time and a place.... if you are having a steak have it with a lovely Faustino VII Rioja or an "old world" shiraz... if you're not eating try a glass of babylon peak cabernet sauvignon... one of the early 2000's vintage tastes like wooden berries and chocolate, firm favourite of mine.... chateau-neuf drinks lovely but you get the cotes du rhone produced down the road and a bit younger but every bit a lovely wine for a budget... this is only round reds. .. any info needed on white or rose?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Ok one thing: saying you tried a shiraz or a cabernet is the same as saying you drove a ford or vw... each wine is different and each region produces a different result: a french shiraz will be very sharp and earthy while a californian will be smooth and spicy... then each one has a different vintage and ageing... each wine has a time and a place.... if you are having a steak have it with a lovely Faustino VII Rioja or an "old world" shiraz... if you're not eating try a glass of babylon peak cabernet sauvignon... one of the early 2000's vintage tastes like wooden berries and chocolate, firm favourite of mine.... chateau-neuf drinks lovely but you get the cotes du rhone produced down the road and a bit younger but every bit a lovely wine for a budget... this is only round reds. .. any info needed on white or rose?

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By *enard ArgenteMan over a year ago

London and France

Bordeaux ;

Margaux:

Or Haut- Medoc

If you want to try rosé, but find rise too light; try Bordeaux Clairet; which is " clarified" Bordeaux red;

Still has some of the body of a red, but lighter; halfway in colour between red and Rosé

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Depends where they're from also. You can't go wrong with any Stellenbosch regionally-produced South Aftican, in my opinion."

We spend a lot of time in South Africa visiting wineries but for us we prefer the Franschhoek wines as opposed to the neighbouring stellenbosch

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

depends if it's to be consumed on it's own or as part of a meal. malbec is really nice with food, as is merlot, but I find both fairly heavy on their own. cabernet is good with or without food. Personally I don't drink French wines, my favourites are, South African, New Zealand, some Australian wines, some Spanish, especially their reds and a couple of South American wines, also reds. I don't rate Californian wines at all.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"depends if it's to be consumed on it's own or as part of a meal. malbec is really nice with food, as is merlot, but I find both fairly heavy on their own. cabernet is good with or without food. Personally I don't drink French wines, my favourites are, South African, New Zealand, some Australian wines, some Spanish, especially their reds and a couple of South American wines, also reds. I don't rate Californian wines at all.

Any apart from French lol, find them over rated, wines from most other countries have more taste I find

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Some super advice in here

Mwah x

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

If you don't want to splash out then for under £20 I'd go for the Querciabella Chianti Classico, Italy 2006 or if you feel slightly more generous you really should experience Luca Roagna Barolo La Pira, Italy 2009

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By *apasmurfkingMan over a year ago

not so Littlehampton

I prefer the iced wine from Canada. It's more a dessert wine, sweet and slightly thicker.

But as a rule I don't discriminate. I drink all alcohol.

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By *3gam4nMan over a year ago

wrexham

Also a top tip: if you're lucky enough to get hold of Portuguese wine-go for it, it's all awesome! Except Mateus (rose) this is the number one most exported wine from Portugal... they can't stand it but found it to be to the liking of dry flowery flavours.

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By *unloversCouple over a year ago

rotherham

I've never heard of half of these wines

Just stick to Rose

The dark red stuff tastes like wood to me

And the white stuff like vinegar

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By *3gam4nMan over a year ago

wrexham

"I've never heard of half of these wines

Just stick to Rose

The dark red stuff tastes like wood to me

And the white stuff like vinegar"

If white tastes like vinegar try a moscato... if red tastes woody try a reserve cabernet... sou many different wines and flavours...

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By *arnayguyMan over a year ago

Durham Tees

The last red I had was a Malbec. It was a canny pint.

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By *unloversCouple over a year ago

rotherham

That's why it's all so confusing

When I first started on wine I couldn't choose so tried different rose.s but some are more hitter than others

Or some are to sweet and sickly

Can't keep buying different ones and wasting them

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By *ust RachelTV/TS over a year ago

Horsham

You can't beat blue nun or lambrusco.

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By *3gam4nMan over a year ago

wrexham

"That's why it's all so confusing

When I first started on wine I couldn't choose so tried different rose.s but some are more hitter than others

Or some are to sweet and sickly

Can't keep buying different ones and wasting them"

Top tip for you: google a sangria recepy... when you feel adventurous and try a bottle you don't like turn it into lovely sangria. Also find a wine you like and clock on its characteristics at back of the bottle (fruity, zesty, etc) and search new wines with similar characteristics...

Sounds like you don't like to sweet nor too dry... look in white for luna di luna-amazing italian pinot/chardonnay mix.

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By *3gam4nMan over a year ago

wrexham

"You can't beat blue nun or lambrusco."

Yes you can, with something heavy like a crow bar!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"You can't beat blue nun or lambrusco."

I don't know, a couple of gallons of imported Chinese Liebfraumilch washes a whole Black forest gateau down nicely.

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By *its_n_piecesCouple over a year ago