I drink mainly cabernets and merlots, neither of which I find sweet at all, nor too dry. Neither are sparkling. Try going to a wine bar, if one exists around you, and ordering a sampler flight to learn. I also get a lot of Spanish wines from the Rioja region, but that is only because I went there on vacation a few years ago. Drinking the memories, I say. I like wine, but know more about beer.

Tasting - oh what fun! If you like something full-bodied you might want to try one of the "super Tuscans" - I dearly love a Barolo but it's spendy. Or maybe some Rhones - maybe like a Gigondas - mmmm. I'm also a big fan of Petite Syrah...still a well-kept secret, you can find some good values. Pinot Noir is also a lovely red, but again a decent one can be an investment 'cause it seems suddenly EVERYBODY wants to drink it, and it's also notoriously finicky to grow. And you really can't go wrong with a merlot for just a good, every day wine. You have an adventure ahead of you! Arla

Pinot Noir is also a lovely red, but again a decent one can be an investment 'cause it seems suddenly EVERYBODY wants to drink it, and it's also notoriously finicky to grow.

You can't go wrong with a California Pinot Noir....... its expensive here in Canada but I'm sure you can get some great deals in the US. I also enjoy Rosenblum Zinfandel's.... nice wine and usually reasonably priced. http://www.rosenblumcellars.com/ Jason

i think someone here recommended black swan shiraz and jacobs creek cab - both are very tasty. also just tried a spanish wine Bolaris i think also very tasty.

Just had an Earthquake Zin (Lodi region) that was spectacular too.

Ha! Lodi region makes it sound so prestigious. Having acutlly been through Lodi, all I can say is that there's a reason Creedence sang, "Oh, lord, stuck in Lodi again."

Any Malbec from Chile or Argentina will do the trick.

WHICH Rosenblum Zin?

All of them