Wine

[zipadeedodah]

Can anyone give me the name of a dry white wine? I'm clueless when it comes to wine, but need to take a bottle for someone who only likes dry wine.

While we're on the subject, what is an average, run of the mill red wine?

Thanks :)

[curiosity]

I tend to only buy wine for others, but Pinot Grigio seems to go down well, it's currently �3.99 a bottle in Somerfield stores, apparently half price but I've really yet to see it at �7.99 or Hardy's is good, and also Frascati seems to go down well by the bottle (or bottles). These arn't expert wine opinions, but wines that I know arn't frowned upon like a Country Manor for example. And red, a nice Claret.

[Buenchico]

I don't claim to be a real expert on wine but there have been occasions when I've managed to persuade editors to pay me for writing about it. I could provide you with lists of grapes and wine producers but the easiest thing is to suggest that you head for your local supermarket and read the labels on the shelf.

Almost all supermarkets grade their white wines from dry to sweet. Typically, the scale is from 1 (Really dry) to 5 (very sweet). Simply look for a bottle labelled '1' or '2' from either Italy or Australia. (Both countries seem to only export white wines which are of quite a good quality). Expect to pay around �4 to �6 for something fairly decent.

What's a 'run of the mill' red wine? It depends on what you like. If you like a 'full-bodied' wine, full of fruit flavours, look no further than a cheapish bottle of Shiraz (that's the name of the grape) from 'somewhere sunny' (e.g. Argentina, Chile or Spain). Expect to pay �4 to �6. (For a cheaper, reasonably 'full-bodied' alternative, simply head to your local Co-op and part with �2.99 for a bottle of their Sicilian red).

If you'd rather have a slightly softer red wine (but still with enough 'body' to avoid being 'watery') , look for a Cabernet Sauvignon (once again, that's the name of the grape) from France or Spain. Expect to pay �3 to �5 for a basic bottle. (If your budget is really tight, Tesco do a quite passable Spanish table wine, Marqu�s de L�on, at just �2.10).

Supermarkets usually grade red wines from A to E, indicating how 'full-bodied' the wine is. If you're buying a bottle for friends (or if you want to start learning about wine yourself) start with a 'B' or possibly a 'C'. Wines labelled 'A' can often be 'watery' (although the best 'A' wines can be have wonderful flavours and textures). Wines labelled 'D' and 'E' can seem very 'heavy' to the novice (although some of the world's finest wines, particularly vintage Clarets,

[Buenchico]

. . .often fall into these categories).

Chris

[I hate it when AB cuts off the last part of posts without warning!]

[zipadeedodah]

Wow thanks Chris, great answer, and just what I needed to know!

Thanks also curiosity - very helpful too!

[vivandorron]

I can't add to the advice which you have been given.
However, I hope you don't mind my endeavouring to
contact Buenchico (is it Chris) with a threaded item
which has arisen from your question.

B........I've had this problem of being 'cut-off in one's prime'.
I don't think it's the fault of AB. I believe it's something to do
with our Internet Set-Ups which want us to keep on the move
and not stay too long in one place.(e.g. Typing a reply perhaps.)

I'm a very slow and poor typist; so much so that I've taken to
compiling my questions and/or answers whilst 'off line' before
pasting them into AB boxes. (as I'm doing at present.)

I'm about to put a question on this matter into the
Technology and Science section of AB..........Ron.