Question: I usually drink white wines, but I think I am ready to venture into reds. Can you give me some good wine suggestions to make the transition?
Answer: Congratulations on wanting to develop your wine palate! You are not alone--many wine drinkers start out by drinking wines that are easy on the palate, such as White Zinfandel. From there, they often venture into other whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, etc.), before heading into the red zone.
If you are ready to try some red wines, I would suggest starting with the lighter, less tannic varieties. (Tannin is the sensation of your mouth “puckering” or drying out, and it comes from the skins, seeds and stems of the grapes, as well as oak barrels or chips.) One good choice is Beaujolais. Made in France from the Gamay grape, it’s light in tannins, and very fruit-forward (especially for a French red,) with flavors of cherry and raspberry. A fermentation process called carbonic maceration extracts lots of flavors and color from the grapes, but not a lot of tannin. Look for Beaujolais Villages, or Cru Beaujolais for higher quality.
There are two great Italian wines that fit the bill for lighter-style reds. Valpolicella, made in the Veneto region from the Corvina grape, is light and fruity, with sour cherry flavors. Look for Valpolicella Classico DOC on the label—it means the wine comes from the best area of the region. Dolcetto d’Alba, from the Piemonte region of Italy, is made from the Dolcetto grape. It is easy drinking, with soft berry fruit, and low acid and tannins.
Finally, Pinot Noir, the fickle “headache grape” that has gotten so much press over the past several years, is typically light-to-medium bodied, with low to medium tannins. For very fruity styles, with cherry and raspberry flavors, look for Pinots from California. For a more restrained style, with hints of earthiness and gaminess, select Pinots from Oregon, New Zealand, and Burgundy (the classic region for Pinot Noir, with price tags to match.)
After you get some experience tasting reds on the light side, you may find that you are craving bigger, bolder wines with grippier tannins. If so, seek out Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, Zinfandel and Shiraz/Syrah. You can raise a glass and think about how far your palate has come. Cheers!
