BNM: RED WINE

I've always grown up around wine, but it's easy to get in a bit of a rut.  I generally only drink a Riesling or Merlot and find little time to investigate the myriad of other varietals out there.  Mostly because I don't want to get stuck spending $15 on a bottle I can't choke down.

I went to Trader Joe's and decided to invest in my inner wine-snob on the cheap.  Choosing only their cheapest wines ($4.99 or less), I picked 2 interesting looking reds.  I had a 3rd bottle half open on the counter.  With my 3 trusty reds, I cut up some cheeses I had on hand, a couple bites of chocolate and sat down to a tasting.

Wine #1 - Menage a Trois, California Red Wine ($15ish?)
A tasty red that I got as a birthday gift.

Wine #2 - Egri Bikaver, Hungary Egri Dry Red ($4.99)
An aleged "cult" wine.

Wine #3 - Purple Moon, California Shiraz ($3.99)
The cheapest I could find besides Charles Shaw - which I already know I like.

Instead of getting into all the boring and likely inaccurate details of the specific wines, let me say this.  On the first glass, I tried being meticulous in all my tastings -- letting the wine develop on my palate and surprise me with it's hints of this and that.  I took notes and moved through my cheese and chocolate slowly.  The second glass was speedier and I found myself getting distracted at anything and everything that didn't have to do with wine.  By the third glass, I didn't care what it made me taste.  I learned that you don't need to KNOW wine to love it.  I know when a glass is tasty and worthwhile and I know when I run across something I won't buy again.

The Menage was great and I've enjoyed it with several dinners, but it's out of my price range.  I can't justify spending more than about $9 which is what I pay for my favorite wine - Silver Lake Roza Riesling or Roza Red.

The Egri is puzzling.  Why there is a cult following for this is beyond me.  It's oaky and OAKY.  I felt like I was sitting in a barrel with every sip.  (But, this is also coming from someone whom Opus One was wasted on.  Just because a bottle costs $200 or is touted as fan-tastic, does not make it so.) The actual taste was ok, but, eh.

The Purple Moon was decent and I'd probably buy again, but I certainly wouldn't seek it out.

I admit, although my "tasting" fell far short of those formally hosted in wineries and house parties, I feel a little more swankiness just getting out of my comfort zone and finding an opinion.

Stay tuned for Whites.

Total Cost: $10
Total Duration: Barely an hour