Absolute newbie wanting to start drinking wine - but I'm clueless, where to start?

[ErinAndTonic]

I'm usually a gin, rum or cocktails girl. But tried a few wines recently (that I don't really know what they were to know what I like) and want to try and figure out what I like and don't like.

Aside from buying many bottles and getting sozzled with a DIY wine tasting at home, where should I start?

I think I had a Zinfandel the other day which I quite liked. But other than that I haven't a clue when it comes to a wine list what I like, unless there a samples before ordering 😅

You could buy some mini bottles? Or go for something like this? https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine-case/Y58960VIRGIN/Mini-Bottle-Mixed-Case-Y58960VIRGIN?ref=VC1544&media_code=VGN_REC_SHOPFEED_PAYG&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=VC1544&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2PvBdPSxPoL0nfzTQthXgsAGHksWUi9qNdciYep10PLNhlVK2wMkDRoCN7kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I guess so - I'm thinking if there's a way to get some kind of dummies guide to wine types and if you like X you will like Y but might not like Z. If that makes any sense at all!

If you like Zinfandel. Try barefoot pink moscato. Both are my fave! Both Rosè. I'm not a white wine fan, never tried red wine either lol

Not to be an enabler... but the virgin and laithwaites advent calendars will be out soon...!

Have you checked your local area for wine clubs? We have a couple of pubs that do very relaxed, informal ones- they're very knowledgable at them. Obviously, with the idea you buy some wine- but they do give you discount.

Even the staff in some off licence/supermarkets can be very helpful- they have often done wine courses.

Happy sampling!

Do you know for a start if you prefer red or white? I tend to like red in the winter and a fresh white in the summer. I don't count rosé.

Then you can think about whether you prefer a light wine or something a bit heavier, and whether you prefer something dry or sweet.

Next time you're offered a glass of wine somewhere or buy a bottle try to think about these things as you drink it, and see how you would rate the wine.

Shamelessly place marking here. Good post!

I drink Zinfandel and have done for years because my friends introduced me to it when I was at college. It was cheap and fun to get wine drunk! My uncle recently visited from afar and asked if I was 'still drinking rosé' apparently Rose is a starter wine and people tend to mature and move to red or white.
Not me. Obviously I'm trash! (Joking) I'd love to try something new but don't know where to begin....

I was like you and preferred gin and cocktails but then I tried a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and then a few more and now they are my favourites. They are quite fruity.

Pinot grigio/gris
chablis
malbec
montepulciano

id recommend the brand jam shed for beginners, most mid range wines are very decent!

Just start trying all sorts of wines and have fun on the journey. I recommend starting a kind of wine journal on your phone. Take pictures of the bottles you like so you can remember them.

Pinot Grigio white or rose both very quaffable
Provence rose is delicious
For red I think merlot or Pinot noir

Depends which Zinfandel. Zinfandel is a full bodied red. I’m taking a guess that it was possibly white Zinfandel which is actually a sweet rose. Most rose are easily drinkable.

for white i would go with pinot or voiginer
for red try merlot or Tempranillo

keep a bottle of lemonade handy so you can spritzer the ones you don’t like the taste of

Google what you are planning to eat for ideas of wine, start from there. Google particular type and read description. Read labels. See if any of it sounds appealing. if you are out ask for recommendation. Make a note of wines you like : what sort of grapes/full or medium bodied, dry , sweet etc. Make a note of a country ad well, it matters too.

New Zealand Marboroughs are always absolutely lovely.

I really like to look up vivino ratings before buying a bottle. Makes it easy to rule out awful ones I haven’t tried yet. Also Lidl has a great and affordable wine range, can highly recommend

DIY wine tasting at home sounds like fun tbf 😂

Yes check the country as @pizzaHeart said. I find South African wines almost strip the roof of my mouth so I avoid. Chilean and south east Australian you can’t go wrong with.

😂😂

Go to an independent wine shop and have a chat with them, ask them if they do a wine tasting 😋

Other thing to remember wine once opened doesn't keep like a bottle of gin. Max 2 days after opening

Keep a wine journal there are apps for it. I was introduced tto good wine very young i.e. as soon as 18 as worked in a 4 star hotel in food and bar so had lots of sessions with sommeliers when the wine list changed each time.

I actually did this in the early 90's. I bought 'Sainsburys Book of Wine' by Oz Clarke, and once a week I'd buy a bottle of something different. I'd read all about it in the book, all the years & vintages and everything, and then have a glass or two several days running. After a couple of years, I'd learned a heck of a lot - enough to be able to correctly identify the usual suspects in a blind tasting anyway. Bit of a party trick actually!😎

The weekend papers (that have more words than pics) have wine sections.
In The Times Jancis Robbins is one of my favourite writers, Recently she has been writing on wines from Supermarkets.
The Saturday Supplement from Daily Mail is sensible and is with the Recipes section.

Don’t brother. Gin is nicer. I’m yet to find a wine that didn’t taste like it could clean the toilet

We went to a wine and cheese tasting once which was brilliant fun. I can't say I learnt much about wine as I was distracted by the cheeses!

When you say you want to start drinking wine, what exactly do you mean? As a social drink instead of G&T or as a drink with food?
PPs pointing you in the direction of independent wine merchants are a good shout, especially if they hold regular tasting evenings.
I would also point you in the direction of BBC's Saturday Kitchen, where there are suggestions for wine and other liquids to pair with food. Most of the wine suggestions are from mainstream supermarkets and suppliers at reasonable prices.

Agree with pp - never met a New Zealand marlborough (that’s a Sauvignon blanc) that I didn’t like.
All my friends also like that type

Hi need to correct my late night post above.
Correct name should be JANCIS ROBINSON She is a real expert.
JANE MacQUITTY is a writer in The Times.
Today she features 8 wines: 2 from Sainsburys, 2 Majestic, 1 from Aldi, 1 from Asda. These are mainly around the £10 mark.
The two whites from Austria and Marlborough New Zealand, I have had, both lovely.