Red Wine For The Beginner

For most people, choosing the correct wine for a dinner can be an overwhelming experience. This is only made worse by the bewildering variety of red wines available. Fortunately with a good cheap discount wine price guide on hand, you'll have ease in choosing the correct wine for a dinner with just five basic red wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular red wines available. It is a medium to full-bodied wine which is high in tannins with a range of rich tones including berry, tobacco and even green pepper. Cabernet compliments red meats, lamb, red pasta dishes, dark chocolates and strong cheeses.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a slightly pricier due since it can only be grown in specific climates. It has a lighter color and flavor than most reds with tones of sweet berries, cherries, plums, tomatoes and earthy or woody undertones. Pinot Noir is a versatile wine and works well with fish, poultry, lamb, pork (including ham) spicy seasonings and cream sauces.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a rich, dark red wine with flavors of sweet berries, plums and black pepper and undertones of oak. It should not be confused with the blush-colored White Zinfandel, another popular wine for the beginner. Red Zinfandel pairs well with red or white meat and more casual dishes such as fish tacos and burgers.

Merlot

Merlot is an smooth and mellow red making it a good wine for the beginner. It has a low tannin count and a wide range of fruit flavors including plums, cherries, blueberries and blackberries. Merlot pairs well with red meats, pork, pastas and salads.

Shiraz

Shiraz is a medium to full-bodied wine that's not as sharp as many younger reds. It has a wide range of flavors such as black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell and black pepper, licorice and sometimes dark chocolate and smoked meat. Shiraz pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables, wild game, stews and rustic pizzas.

These are just a few of the many varieties of red wines to chose from. Fortunately, with a good cheap discount wine price guide you can find $50 qualities red wines for only $10 and sample them all.