I loved Gewürztraminer when I started drinking wine back in the 70s. First Blue Nun and then some others that came in ceramic bottles. (pic below)

Today I prefer an oaky, buttery Chardonnary and occasionally Pinot Noir.

Annie, there are unoaked Chardonnays available.

The German wines I drank in the 70s:

Annie, I also heard on the news that wine with animals on the label sells better than without animals!

My favorite is Condessa de Leganza (red) from Spain, but the only place I've been able to find it is on Royal Caribbean ships. :( I most often buy Woodbridge or Yellow Tail. I usually drink red (the heartier the better LOL) but occasionally switch to sauv blanc for a change of pace.

Donna

I love Mateus Rose wine. It is from Portugal.

In my younger days, it was Baby Duck!

I prefer reds regardless of the season and tend to be rather ethnocentric and focus on Washington state wines - most are really quite excellent and not all that expensive. My absolute fave is Abeja's Merlot although the Cab-Sauv is great as well but these ARE pricey!! But most often - cost being a significant factor on a fixed income - I wine shop at Trader Joe's where you can excellent and very inexpensive wines (although I do steer clear of 2 Buck Chuck!!).

Interestingly, my niece and nephew, who can afford to buy any wine they like, are very big on the Rombauer and buy it by the case. To me it is pretty much tasteless and there are all sorts of far less expensive Chardonnay's that I find to be far better :-))

Like food, wine is such a personal taste :-)

Oh, CindyMac I remember those bottles, too.

gardengal, I like Trader Joe's, too. They sometimes have a really interesting Pinot Grigio that is almost effervescent, but I can't remember the name at the moment. It's a wine that everyone likes, even people who don't normally care much for wine, dry but no tannic bite to it like so many Grigios often have.

Yes, of all the whites, I prefer Pinot Grigio over all others - light and refreshing and with minimal acidity. I get the Contadino PG sold by Trader Joe's - a great wine at a great value ($5.99!!).

I have also bought the La Crema Pinot noir on occasion, they carry it at my grocery store. It's pretty good and a good price point, but I can definitely tell the difference between it and the Gary Farrell.

A to Z pinot noir. MacMurray Ranch Central Coast pinot noir. Lilian Ladouys cab. I eat a lot of fish, and I like pinot noir with salmon, cab with tuna.

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to make a list to keep in my purse, so I can continue to shop for these in the months to come. My most recent purchases were Malbec and Pinot Noir. I liked, but didn't love, both of them. I think I'll try a few other brands

patty_cakes - I had a glass of Gewurtz at a wine class I went to and really liked it. I started checking the stores and realized it's not a wine you see much. I did manage to find one bottle, but it wasn't as good as the one I tasted.

maddielee -LOL. Wouldn't it be funny if that turned out to be my favorite. I splurged and bought a $30 bottle recently and couldn't tell any difference.

MtnRdRedux - I honestly don't know if I've ever tried Chardonnay, so that's definitely going on my list.

In reds, I like tempranillos for everyday. I do very much like Chardonnays and find it's a you-get-what-you-pay-for variety.

I was going to suggest the Malbec -- LA FINCA at Trader Joe's that Maddielee has sitting pretty in her post. I am not very knowledgeable about wines, or sophisticated but that one is really nice and people have commented on how good it is (and so cheap). The Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blance someone else mentioned above- I second (but it's higher price than my usual)

Gardengal, I like Pinot Grigio too, but no matter what time in the afternoon or evening I have it, I have "odd dreams" that night. I don't like that!

rose abbey, ooh, I used to enjoy Mateus Rose ...haven't had it in a while, must look for it.

We drink wine with pretty much every dinner. Reds or whites, depending on the main course. We have wines shipped to us from Coppola Winery every other month, as we like theirs. But, DH also picks up wine at his favorite wine and spirits shop twice a month. I let him choose, although he knows my favorite wine anytime is a good, chilled Chardonnay. Yellow Tail is my usual house wine for that.

I have no favorites, it's like choosing a favorite child. We're near the California Wine Country and go wine tasting here and internationally.

For a low cost white, Bogle Sauv Blanc is a good value (they also have a chard). The aforementioned Kim Crawford is also a reliable version of that varietal. For low tannin reds, you'll need to find something like the garnacha, grenache, some tempranillos or some sangiovese/chianti. Banfi is a widely available Chianti Classico. I tend to like Antinori wines as well (their top of the line Tignanello is amazing but they also make good affordable wines, including the lower tannin varietals).

Often times, it's all about finding what you like and then experimenting with varietals from regions known for that. Taste is so subjective.

If you have a wine bar in your area, they may serve flights. It's a good way to sample multiple wines and get an idea of what you might like. (Or if you are stuck in a major airport, duck into Vino Volo). The chain Total Wines does tastings here in CA as well.

I'm guessing you may not like heavily oaked wines. Is that true?

I find white a lot easier to tolerate and enjoy a wide variety of whites. My recommendations won't make a lot of sense as a Canadian. My wine snob friend told me Oregon is making some great whites at a lower price point for comparable quality than California.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE a good white burgundy but cheap it ain't.

I like reds and the most standout red I've had recently was a barbaresco.

The Lost Oak Winery of Texas has some wonderful wines. The winery has won some very impressive awards for it's wines. http://www.lostoakwinery.com/

Gooster - I can't taste oak for some reason. A friend of mine hates oak, but when I tasted the wines she said were oaky, I didn't pick up on it. I think maybe I have an unsophisticated wine palate, because I couldn't detect most of the things other people tasted in our wine class. I did discover I didn't like the mineral taste though. I've never even heard of garnacha, grenache, tempranillos and sangiovese, so I'll have to see if I can find them.

WalnutCreek - Are you able to find the Lost Oak Winery wines in the local stores or from the winery itself? I'm in the DFW area and I see it's in Burleson.

We're finishing off two cases of assorted Cooper's Hawk.

• Barbera (My favorite) dark berries
• Malbec (least favorite, too flowery)
• GSM (meh)
• Reisling (Her favorite) fruit, fruit, fruit
• Pinot Gris (Our favorite with seafood)
• Merlot (My 2nd favorite) black pepper

For two cases the per bottle price is just under $12

Kim Crawford SB has been a favorite for years. I'm currently liking Gabbiano Chianti Classico and Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva. Both remind me of the vendite dirette versions in Italy.

Washington State, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Reisling

Prairie berry winery Red Ass Rhubarb. It used to be called Razzy Rhubarb because it is made with raspberries and rhubarb. Most delicious and unusual wine. Prairie Berry Winery is in SD.

Try these:

• Fetzer Gewurtztraminer ($10 - tasted but never bought)
• Conundrum, if you like white wines that are a little sweet ($25-ish)
• Menage a Trois Silk - very inexpensive red blend (bought a bottle for $12 yesterday)
• Alamos Malbec - DH's everyday sipping wine ($10-ish)
• Paraduxx Proprietary Red Blend ($50)
• Opus One, if you have a very special occasion to celebrate! ($200-$300)

My all-time favorite red is probably Molly Dooker, The Boxer - Shiraz ($30-35).

Last week, on a whim, I bought canned wine. I got one Pinot Noir and one Pinot Gris. I haven't opened them yet, but they generally get good reviews.

bbstx--I was just at Walmart looking at wines and realizing that Malbec is a variety rather than a winery. Ended up buying Alamos! So I am delighted to see your DH's recommendation. Will let you know what I think after I try it. Maybe tonight as I watch the opening ceremonies.

I have to do low tannin wines too, due to a bladder condition. I am OK with vignoles, but around here in MI you can get pretty good Riesling and it's coming back in vogue so I've been drinking it.

bbstx - I've never seen can wine before. Where did you find it and can you buy just one can or does it come in a 6-pack like beer? I've been tempted to buy Menage a Trois Silk before, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Yes, it is sold per can. A can is 375 ml or half a bottle. I found it at a pretty standard liquor store, but I had read about it before then. I can't tell you how much it costs. I didn't look. Figured it couldn't be that pricey. Just bought it for the novelty.

I was pleasantly surprised at the MaT Silk. I also bought MaT White for a batch-drink recipe that called for an inexpensive white. I did not care for the white. It tasted too grape-juice-like to me. Worked fine in the recipe, though.

We drink reds, white, sparkling -- some of everything, but mostly on the dry side. We tend to like less tannins and little or no oak too. I stopped drinking Charndonnay when it the trend was more and more oak, but that seems to have passed. I still don't drink it for the most part -- there are so many other varieties and styles to enjoy.

There are so many wines and you can go looking for something in particular that you have been told about or read about and never find it (so frustrating) but find a dozen you've never heard of. What I usually suggest is trying to find a shop where you can find someone who can advise you on the wines they carry. If you try something they suggest, then you have a starting point for discussing other options. Posted ratings and tasting notes can also help you discover the wines you prefer. Cost Plus World Market and Trader Joes are good places to shop for modestly priced wines (they post notes on many, but not all wines) -- as well as liquor stores and grocery stores.

Msrose, I bought some canned wines when I was at World Market picking out some for a housewarming gift. My sister is getting divorced and I thought I would include a few that she could open for a glass when she didn't want to open a bottle. I bought a couple for myself too -- just for the novelty. Coppola has a sparkling Sophia that comes in the can. It was really ice -- made me happy tht I had bought a bottle also.

I have issues with wine -- headaches from red wine, but also from some whites, esp Chardonnay. I've had Kim Crawford Sauvignon blanc a few times at restaurants in the past year, and I like it a lot! Guess it's pretty popular. I haven't seen it in stores near me, tho.

I like Cakebread Winery Sauvignon Blanc a lot, too, and it's also not easy to find -- I did order it online once. It's a little pricey IMO for an everyday wine (not that I drink wine every day or even every week!). It's about $30, I think.

I like Sancerre wines, too. DH and I had our first Sancerre in Paris so we always think of it as a "special" wine.

Finally, I just discovered rose wines last summer, and I like many of them a lot. They don't give me a headache like reds do.

ETA: I also love prosecco! But I don't really like champagne, which can also give me headaches (but prosecco never does).

lascatx, glad to hear your opinion of Sophia. The store I was in also stocked it, but I was really leery of canned bubbly (why? I'm not leery of Coke or Sprite!). I may have to give it a go.

Sueb, I stocked up on some rose' that I found on WTSO and the only person who will touch it is my 21 y/o niece. She likes "pink." Everyone else turns up their nose without even tasting it. I think rose' is too reminiscent of or confused with white zin for some folks. ETA: I didn't mean my comment to sound snobby. I meant it to say that some folks are missing out because they are looking at the color and not tasting the wine. I think there are some dishes that nearly demand a rose'.

btw, WTSO.com or Wines Til Sold Out sometimes has good prices, but it is pretty hit or miss. 4 bottles of the same thing gets you free shipping. My best scores were Molly Dooker The Boxer and a magnum of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. Both were about 1/3 less than retail.

I went to Walmart today and actually found 3 of the wines mentioned. I got Kim Crawford SB, Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio and LaCreama PN. I wasn't interested in Kim Crawford when hhireno first mentioned it, because I don't like the mineral taste, but then I decided I would give it a try after several more of you mentioned it. Now to decide which one I want to try first.

Wine at Walmart?? Who knew?

WM may not have a huge selection, but their prices are typically lower. I buy J. Lohr, Cupcake, and Bogle there. Cheaper than anywhere else.

I wanted to include this in my other list, but couldn't remember the name so I had to buy a bottle to remind me of the brand I like. I love Vinho Verde in the summertime. It's so light with just a bit of frizzante; not as bubbly as Proseco, but just enough to tickle your tongue. I'll try any brand but the one I especially like is Famega. Very inexpensive.

Uh, grocery stores can have very good wine depending on the location. My local WM has a fine selection of mass marketed wines, all CindyMac listed and plenty more. The Piggly Wiggly in Myrtle Beach has aisles of wines including some in the hundreds of dollars. Which I don't buy, lol.

My best friend, however, loves to visit vineyards and almost always prefers those wines. To each his own!

Best wine shop in my town is the local grocery store. This is in MI where you can get wine practically at the gas station . . . in PA it was another story, you had to buy it at a "state store."

@msrose -- I just mentioned Oak as it's something that is usually prominent in tannic wines. Everyone's palate is physically different. It's useful to know if you don't like mineral tastes, as often, as many Sauvignon Blancs can have a more mineral taste, including the Kim Crawford. Fruitier whites may be what you are seeking. I mentioned the varietals garnacha/grenache, tempranillo and sanviovese/Chianti as these are all usually lower tannin wines. All the whites won't have tannins (but can have that mineral taste). The Gabbiano mentioned is a good Chianti as is the Banfi. A widely distributed Spanish garnacha is under the Borsao label -- many people also find the inexpensive Cameron Hughes (Costco) to be a good find.

@bbstx -- I like the Menage a Trois Silk and am going to try the Midnight. The Silk variant does have some Petite Sirah, which can be high in tannins, though. I read it is mostly Malbec and Pinot, though. I love a good rose as well, especially from Provence. They make the drier (original) style --- Rose was ruined for most Americans by the terrible white/pink zin stuff.

@sueb -- love Cakebread chard and a good Sancerre (and some good values can be found). Also partial to Puilly-Fusse

Great suggestion to find a good wine store that will recommend to you! I love my local wine stores for this and I find they are very gentle with me (and other beginners).

My guess is as a more "beginner" wine drinker people tend to will like sweeter, fruity, smooth and jammy type wines (which means fruit forward red with less tannins). So if this describes you and you're talking to a salesperson you may want to use words like sweet, smooth, fruity, crowd pleaser, approachable or easy drinking to find some great tasting wine!

A word to the wise that many of the sweetest and most popular red wines like Apothic Red and Menage à Trois have lots of residual sugar (not all the sugar was converted to alcohol, or some was added). Easier to drink for some - but lots of calories. This is how I started out drinking wine (many many bottles of Yellow Tail Shiraz!) but my tastebuds have changed for some reason and I can't tolerate a jammy wine now.

http://www.journalnow.com/home_food/columnists/michael_hastings/hastings-some-dry-red-wines-are-turning-sweet/article_48d00797-258e-5636-ba32-ef75189f9804.html

I like Cavit Pinot Grigio. It's a very easy to drink Italian wine, and sold everywhere inexpensively.

Gooster - What would you consider a fruitier white?

Yeah, that's the bummer for me, I like the drier wines due to being less calories, but due to being on a low acid diet, even if I splurge it has to be on a sweeter wine. I am trying to find one that is in the middle of the road, as far on the dry side as I can go an not regret it. So far Reisling has been my best bet. But I'm interested in trying some of the recommendations here. Traminette was a good kind for me too, but I haven't seen it much. I know it is just the grape variety, but that was the name of the wine I tried too. Very similar to a Gewurtztraminer, according to the MI wine industry web site. New variety. I've seen some grape plants of this variety for sale and I'd love to try some eventually if I end up living somewhere with the space.

DD and I frequent a favorite restaurant that carries a wine bottled by 'Davy Crockett', aka, Fess Parker. I think it's a Reisling, and is on the sweet and fruity side, and this is the only restaurant we've been able to get it. I've never looked for it in a liquor mart or grocery store. I've heard he has a vineyard in Santa Barbara and has various other wines.

Fess Parker Wines are well respected, and available in lots of places, plus directly from the winery, which is located in the area highlighted by the movie Sideways. (highly recommended!)

We recently moved from Monterey CA to the East Coast, and we are staying true to our friends back in CA by searching out Monterey County wines. The Santa Lucia Highlands are known for some lovely Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. In this case, we aren't looking for exact wineries, but rather where the grapes are grown. So a bottle labeled "Monterey" refers to the source of the grapes, not the location of the winery. If labeled "California" it's a blend of grapes from different regions. No less tasty, by any means.

Sushipup, how are you liking the State Store system? I hope you're near a wine speciality store, they have a wider selection than the regular stores. When I bought wine frequently, I used to buy the Chairman Selections that had high Wine Spectator scores so that I could try new things. It was fun and introduced us to all sorts of interesting wine.

We go to Delaware about every 4 to 6 weeks and stock up. ;-) Nice drive, lunch at a nice hole-in-the-wall Mexican place a few blocks away, fill up with cheaper gas, then home.

The Flourtown store is apparently a better wine selection, and we've picked up one or two bottles when in need.

Red.....and white :-)

@msrose: just saw your inquiry. You can purchase the Lost Oak Winery wines at the winery or at some liquor stores. Spec's and Goody Goody sell it, as do a few more liquor stores. There is a place on the web site to search for retailers.

@msrose -- a fruit forward wine really can occur with any varietal or blend, but is often a style associated with certain types. But if you enjoyed the Gewurtztraminer, then you might like ones from the Alsace or from the PNW (e.g., Hogue, Chateau St. Michelle). There are also good Rieslings and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio from those areas. If you want something less sweet, you may want to try the Chateau St. Michelle Dry Riesling or an unoaked chardonnay/Pinot Grigio like those listed.

If you find you still want a red and those other choices you tried aren't working for you, you might venture into a Zinfandel (Rancho Zabaco, budget Rosemblum slight step up). They can be fruit forward to the point of being jammy.

Slightly OT, but I had read that much of the US red wine production was pushed to fruit-forward, bold wines by the palate of Robert Parker, an influential wine critic. He's the one who came up with those first 0 to 100 point ratings you see listed in advertisements, and now emulated by many publications. Thus the vintners let the fruit ripen longer on the vines, driving the sugars and resulting alcohol content up.

I used to drink wine frequently but not these days, too many meds lol. I have picked up a relatively cheap wine I really like and an added bonus it has a Fleur-de-lis on the label! It has to be a special occasion these days for me to drink. The Rosso is good too. I pretty much have enjoyed all from this brand.

Rosetello

Rosatello-Moscato

I've banned myself from the wine section at Walmart. I checked it out today since I updated my list and ended up buying 4 more bottles. It's going to take me awhile to try everything I've bought so far.