[sierrasun1]

Hi everyone,

I understand taste is subjective.... but, can someone please recommend a "sweeter" red wine? I'm clueless when it comes to any wine-knowledge!

Any of your help is appreciated!

[missmustard]

I'd love to hear recommendations as well. I haven't ventured out of white or rosee wines because the one red wine I tried was too alcohol-ish for my taste.

[HuntJumpSC]

Have you tried Duplin? They are out of NC and do sweet muscadine & scuppernong wines. They are very sweet, and remind me alot of the homemade wine my granddad used to make.

[madamefifi]

Originally Posted by missmustard

I'd love to hear recommendations as well. I haven't ventured out of white or rosee wines because the one red wine I tried was too alcohol-ish for my taste.

Red wines are best if allowed to "breathe" for at least 20 minutes, and by this I don't mean simply taking the cork out and letting the bottle sit. You can either pour some into a glass then let that breathe or you can decant the entire bottle into a pitcher or other wide-mouthed container. This helps dispel some of that sharp alcohol taste.

Of course I am referring to your average bottle of red wine. The really really good, aged stuff doesn't benefit at all from aeration.

[LeaD]

I do not know who it is by, but ask your martini bar for "Layer Cake."

[sierrasun1]

Thanks, thanks!!! Your input is so helpful

[peach.]

I love Pinot Noir . Umm, okay, replace those beer jugs with wine glasses!

If you truly want a sweet "red wine," there's Port! Very tasty dessert wine that goes down way too fast!

[amanda]

Originally Posted by HuntJumpSC

Have you tried Duplin? They are out of NC and do sweet muscadine & scuppernong wines. They are very sweet, and remind me alot of the homemade wine my granddad used to make.

I agree that you might want to try a muscadine wine if you're in an area that would have them available. They're most commonly found in the southern US, because that's where the grapes naturally occur. The muscadine grapes have a higher natural sugar content, thus sweeter wine.

I work in the marketing department at one of the largest wineries in the Southeast, but our white muscadines are much better than our reds. We're having a wine festival in a few weeks and Duplin is actually pouring at the festival, I'll have to try their muscadines.

If muscadine isn't available in your area, then maybe try aerating or decanting, like previously suggested. That'll take some of the bite off of it. If you're looking for a rich after-dinner wine, port is also an option. It goes very well with chocolate.

[sierrasun1]

Thanks again to everybody for your great suggestions.... can't wait to try them!! :-)

[HuntJumpSC]

http://www.duplinwinery.com/

[illinirdhd]

Originally Posted by LeaD

I do not know who it is by, but ask your martini bar for "Layer Cake."

Yes, Layer Cake Shiraz 2005 is fantastic, and has had some great reviews, I think. I've found it at the grocery store in the past. It's a reasonably priced bottle. Another of my favorite bottles is the Greg Norman Reserve Shiraz. You can often find Shiraz/Syrah or Pinot Noir that is sweeter and lighter, sometimes Red Zinfandels are also sweet and light. If you're looking for sweet reds, you'll probably want to steer clear of Cabs. Most restaurant sommeliers can help you pick something sweet when you're dining out. If you're looking for a bottle to buy, a good wine store or even a liquor store with a large wine selection will be able to help you.

Also, try Riunite Lambrusco. It's an Italian wine that's sweet (not sweet like a Reisling or Piesporter though) and smooth.

As much as I hate to publicize this because it makes me , my mom puts 1/2 packet of Sweet & Low in red wines. She says it makes them much more pleasant and takes away the dryness. Worth a try, I guess.

[redney]

I don't know where OP lives, but upstate New York reds are known for being lighter and sweeter than red wines produced in other regions.

And illirdhd - OMG, Sweet-n-Low in wine? I agree with you on that. Ick. But if your mom likes it for herself...

[illinirdhd]

^^^ I know. I always tell her not to do it where anyone can see her!

[lolitakali]

My fav. of all time red is actually a cheapo Italian wine by Reunite Lambrusco... found it best with salmon! TDF!

[elle tee]

I just got a Shenandoah California Zinfandel that was great- not too "wine-y" at all, very sweet and mild.