Favorite Red Wine Grape?

[Superfly]

So, what is your favorite red wine grape variety? I am a fruitbomb lover, so Malbec is my fave.

[terrya]

1. I love the richness of Merlot.

If that makes sense....

Terry

[GOPisEvil]

2. San Giovese

Mmmmmm...chianti...

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Is Agave a grape?

:)

[Superfly]

4. If you're a Mexican...

[mmm]

9. blue agave is a member of the lily family

the juice is fermented and then distilled

[Whitacre D_WI]

5. Syrah.

Nothing beats a good mature Cote Rotie.

[mobuto]

6. Its not just the grape, its the teroir

Pinot Noir grapes are used to produce some of the best wine in the world, in Burgundy. They are also used to produce absolutely undrinkable crap.



The above is Pinot Noir, as is some of the stuff available in boxes at your local A&P. Yet there's a difference between them.

[RoadRunner]

7. The Cabernet-Shiraz blends from Australia

For about $7 bucks a bottle, these are better wines than a typical $30 bottle from California.

[xultar]

8. Shiraz/Grenache Blend I also like Shiraz Cab blend both Australian

http://www.rosemountestates.com/wine/ranges/premiumblends/index.html

They aren't expensive but man they taste like they are!!!

[LynneSin]

14. I always have a bottle of Rosemont Shiraz or Shiraz Blend in my home

They make great Shirazes

[felonious thunk]

10. Cabernet Franc from Virginia

This grape is usually used more as a blending grape, but for people in the Mid-Atlantic, I suggest you give a bottle of a Virginia Cabernet Franc a try. For whatever reason, the grape does very well in the Blue Ridge area, and has led to some really good wine. It's kind of a light earthy red, unlike most American reds I've had. The best I've had is from a very small winery named Wintergreen.

[Superfly]

11. Am I the only Malbec fan?

[Superfly]

12. Am I the only Malbec fan?

[LynneSin]

13. I love Pinotages

It's a red wine grape from South Africa and it's a dry but fruity wine.

Recommended Pinotages (at least ones I've had and enjoyed) are:

KWV

Graham Beck

[LynneSin]

15. Big NO-NO with Lynne: Any Red Wine from an American Country

North OR South

About 1 in 3 red wines I've had from California turn my face BEET RED like I have a bad sunburn. I've had issues with a few reds from Chile and Argentina. Whites never cause any problems.

So I stick with Australia and South Africa for my Reds (never had a Red from New Zealand but I'm sure I'll be fine. I usually think White when I'm buying from the Kiwi Country). I can also drink reds from Europe but I haven't gotten much into those wines.

[Superfly]

17. Man, that's weird if you don't mind me saying...

do you know why? Is it allergies?

[CPschem]

16. I love malbecs and red zins. n/t