I don't know much about wine, but I had some really nice red wine at this restaurant and wanted to purchase a few bottles. Unfortunately I found out that it's theirs exclusively and not available elsewhere. Do you happen to know of any good inexpensive red wines that are on the sweet side? Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to start with the Lambrusco since it was recommended the most. I can get that locally at Binny's, then I guess I'll branch out from there! :) Thanks, again!
Ménage a trois, it is a red blend and is wonderful. 10-13 a bottle. Mark west Pinot noir is good too. 10-13 as well.
Riunite Lambrusco is what my husband likes. He says it's "sweet, cheap Italian wine". We get it here in the grocery store. It runs about $7-8 for a large bottle. It must be pretty popular, because it's frequently sold out.
MamaMay I've never met anyone in my life who actually drinks Manischewitz by choice! We have it at Passover and take a few obligatory sips during Seder before pouring it out and having something decent afterward. I'll have to suggest the Concord grape next year because it would be nice to drink something palatable - the other reds are just awful.
If you like sweet reds, Lambrusco and fruit wines are a good place to start. Or how about Sangria?
Do you have any wineries near you? Or a Binny's/Sam's? Anywhere that does wine tastings, really. Go and taste, and you can find the styles that you like. Once you know that, you'll have an easier time of picking things out.
For example, I prefer dry and spicy wines. In general, I enjoy Malbecs, Chiantis, Cabernets, and Zinfandels. They're broad areas, and it's the type of grape that varies the flavor.
We just found a wonderful red wine at Olive Garden we like. Of course, we cant buy it from them or anywhere else. I did a little research and found it online. There is one store in NY that sells it. I just ordered a case of it for my husband for Xmas. look at marketviewliquor.com
BTW--it is the Roscato wine. I dont like wine, but this is pretty darn good. It is a very sweet red wine. If you ever go to Olive Garden ask for a sample of it.
Riunite - I think it's even got a twist-cap instead of a cork.
If you have a CostPlus nearby, they have a great selection of wines, knowledgable staff and good prices. If sweet is what you're looking for, a Merlot will probably be the best choice of a red. There are sweeter wines, but it's relative whether they're good or not. It depends on what people consider good... you know?
Wine vines are flavored wines which run about $3 a bottle.
Hmmm -the "sweet side" throws me! However, I will list my favorite inexpensive reds and maybe you can get some and try it to see what you think. I DID see a large bottle of red wine the other day that I'm going to go back and get for my dad (he also like "sweet" red wine), that billed itself as sweeter in taste. I cannot remember the name, but it was at Kroger, so look around. You can also go into a wine store or decent liquor store and ask -or go to a Whole Foods or other grocery that has a good wine section and ask the person who works in it. When watching the $$, I like:
McMannis Cabernet Sauvignon -$10 a bottle and very drinkable, but decent.
Sebastiani Pinot Noir - $12-$14 a bottle and actually VERY good!
Estancia Cabernet or Merlot - $9-$10
Rex Goliath (97 lb. Rooster) -Zinfandel and Cabernet -under $10 a bottle
At Trader Joe's -Old Moon wines -there are a number of good ones.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of Barefoot wines because they're always a bit on the sweet side for me, but you may want to try them. They're almost all under $10.
A friend and I were just having this conversation last night. I shy away from reds a lot, I like sweet white wines like Riesling and Moscato. So he suggested if I wanted to try a sweet red Lambrusco was a good choice (as I see a few others have mentioned). When he was younger he worked at a few high end restaurants and served and drank many types of wine, he is not an aficionado, but pretty knowledgeable.
I know it sounds pish posh and hoity toity, but my sister and I went to an upscale Giant Eagle (of all things) and sought out their wine house. They employed a sommelier who was able to pick out something for us at our price range and taste. He was extremely informed and helpful.
We were getting 'his and her' wine for a couple we know and ended up with a malbec by Antigal and a grenache by evodia.
Greek to me, but I'm happy with my purchases. I hope they go over well!
Wal-mart has this sweet red wine, the brand is Mad Housewife and it's called Bessitos sweet red...........
Don't faint-I recently saw, in a blind taste test-where boxed wine was chosen over a more expensive bottled wine 5/6 times!
something sweet would be a White Zinfandel-but you could get something less sweet and velvety-with a taste of red apple finish if you buy a Red Zinfandel-"Bota Box" makes an "Old Vine Zinfandel" for around $20/box-and the box is equivalent to 4 bottles! yea! I'm having some now-can you tell?
Do you have a Binny's closeby? They have good prices and someone there who you can talk to, tell what you want and how much you want to spend, and he(she) will help you choose. They know what they are talking about too!
A Malbec is a really nice wine, and if you see a point system (like at Costco), look at those in the 90's. Binny's is easier than Costco, though, because they can show you the sweeter wines.
Dawn
Sweet red at trader joe's it is about 7.00 a bottle and it is a lovely sweet with little or no tannin edge. More fruity without being a distinct fruit wine. We had this with fondue(white wine grueyere(sp?) And chocolate fondue. Have a merry christmas.
I love this brand. I have no clue on a red but the concord grape is awesome!
Trader Joe's has a delicious Lambrusco Reggiano. It also comes in white , Bianco . They are only $5 a bottle. Yum ! Enjoy!
too funny ~ I was just going to suggest Lambrusco! I don't like dry, bitter wines. The Lambrusco is sweet and easy to drink.
