any wine fans here?

[BDBohnzie]

Wine tasting is a good way to find out about wines in general, and to try a wide variety of what the vineyard, store, restaurant has. Not sure how many vineyards are up in that part of NY, but they are generally the best places for wine tasting. See if any restaurants in your area has reduced price wine nights. There is one place here that has 1/2 price bottles on Tuesdays, which is great to try something you wouldn't normally try because of expense. There is also a liquor store here that has 10-15% off wines on certain nights as well.

Wine is definitely a personal preference type thing. I generally prefer the drier reds, while my wife has always likes whites but is slowly starting to like more reds. The whites tend to be sweeter while the reds are drier. If you are beginning, I'd recommend something along the lines of a chardonnay or pinot grigio and go from there.

The Australians are making some decent quality, low cost wines. Yellow Tail, Little Penguin, Lindemans are good Aussies and for the most part are less than $15 a bottle. But other than that, stick with the more known types of wine like merlot, the pinots (Grigio and Noir), the cabernets, shiraz, riesling, etc. and you'll be fine.

My wife and I had an awesome wine the other night. Mapreco Vinho Verde 2006. Very light, slightly sweet white wine that a very light carbonation to it. Very good when paired with food.