everyone should try

In response to requests here are some wines that everyone should try. You all know I am no expert so this is not likely to be complete or representative. The intent is to help you the next time you go to buy a bottle of plonk.

1. Everyone should try a Bordeaux. Red Bordeaux is made from a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec. The five top chateaux are generally too expensive to buy so if you find other Bordeaux just make sure they have the appellation controllee designation on the label. Bordeaux is classically matched with lamb but I think it would hold up well with steak also. Bordeaux classically tastes of blackcurrants, spice, cedar and cassis. Go for bottles that are 10 years or older.

2. Everyone should try a Burgundy. Red Burgundy (Bourgogne) is made from pinot noir, look for labels that say Cote de Nuit or Cote de Beaune. The village names to look for on labels include Geverey-Chambertin, Morey-St.Denis, Nuit-St.Georges, Pommard, Vugeot. Beef Bourguignon is the classic dish of the region and Burgundy would go well with it. Plummy, earthy, spicy, and mocha flavours define a good Burgundy.

3. Everyone should try an Australian Shiraz. There are many good Australian wines, their red shiraz with its peppery, fruit flavours is good and none more so that Penfolds Grange or the more affordable Peter Lehmans Barossa Valley Shiraz'. Eat with game or red meat or drink just on its own. Yummy!

4. Everyone should try a Chianti. This Italian red comes from the Tuscany (Toscana) region on Italy's west coast. Made primarily from the sangiovese grape, try to look for wines that have the DOC (denominazione di origine controllata) on the label. This is a dry, cherry flavoured red. Names to look for include Monsanto, Villa Cafaggio, Castellare, Frescobaldi, Ruffino, and Castello Di Ama. It may be a cliche but I like this with spaghetti bolognese.

5. Everyone should try a Barolo or a Baraberesco. Both are reds made from the nebbiolo grape, this a dry, full-bodied wine with hints of tar, violets and strawberries. Look for one that is nearly 10 years old or more and also look for the DOC or the higher DOCG on the label. I have not had much Barolo or Barbaresco but from reading (see footnote) I know to recommend those from the following Piedmont villages, Monforte d'Alba, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. Drink with a rich meat, steak or some BBQ'd burgers.

6. Everyone should try a Rioja. This Spanish red is predominantly made from the tempranillo grape. Try ones from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa areas. Tempranillo can give rise to fruity and earthy flavours that pair well with wild mushrooms fried in garlic. Names to look for include Marques de Murrieta, Cune, Rioja Alta and Marques de Caceres. All Rioja should have a 'Denominacion de Origien Calificada' on the label, also look out for a reserva or gran reserva that indicates the time aged in oak.

7. Everyone should try Sancerre. A sauvignon blanc white from the Loire Valley, these wines are crisp, acid, dry, and work with a wide range of food from Chinese to grilled salmon. I have not had a bad Sancerre, Domaine Henri Bourgeois is a good one that comes to mind.

8. Everyone should try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This white is very different than French sauvignon blancs, their intense bouquet won't be to everyone's liking but they are certainly worth trying. Oyster Bay and Cloudy Bay are two good makes. I have no idea what food to pair this wine with, it probably would hold up to some of the challenging tastes of fusion style cuisine.

9. Everyone should try a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. This red is full bodied and tastes of blackcurrant and cassis. They are quite robust and I recommend Montes Alpha or Santa Rita's cabs. Anything from the Maipo or Casablanca valleys might be good. This will work with steak or burgers.

10. Everyone should try Chablis. A light white chardonnay from the Burgundy region its flavours are more 'flinty, honeyed and acidic' than new world chardonnays. No oak here! Look for Grenouille, Bougros, Louise Michel, Guy Robin. Try this with seafood, it goes well with oysters.

11. Everyone should try a Canadian Riesling. This sweet white wine is famous in the Alsace region of France and southern Germany but the Canadian versions are good too. Try them with a salad. Hillside Estate create good Canadian Rieslings.

Other wines that everyone should probably try but I did not detail above include; a German gewurztraminer, a Californian zinfandel, a Californian pinot noir, a Washington State red, a Spanish Priorat, a white Alsace, a Portuguese red, an Austrian red, a German riesling, Beaujolais Nouveau, Chateauneuf du Pape, a Hungarian Tokaj, a French Sauterne, an Australian merlot, an Australian chardonnay and an Argentinean cabernet sauvignon. I also mentioned no pinot gris', pinot grigio, viognier or barbera based wines. Phew! There is just so much to try and only one mouth!

The information here is mostly based on my drinking experience but one invaluable resource has been Karen MacNeil's 'The Wine Bible'. A good gift for any wino in your life, I would highly recommend it.

It is the drinking and not the talking that is the fun part when learning more about wine. So now that you have a few pointers get boozing! After the hangover let me know how you got on!

For more information ...
the wine bible