A Few Favorite Wines

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I enjoy a glass of wine every once in a while, especially with a good meal or on the weekend when I’m looking to wind down. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to narrow down my favorite type of reds and whites, and while I’m still learning and exploring other options, I’ve found a handful of great wines that I really enjoy!

Wine can be intimidating and expensive to start exploring, so if you are new to drinking wine or not sure what kind of wine to give as a housewarming gift, for example, I hope you’ll find some starting points below!

White

I have learned that I do NOT like a buttery white wine. My favorite is a chilled Chardonnay, though some Chardonnays I prefer at room temperature better. I tend to drink more white wine in the warmer months, and below are a few of my favorites.

Biltmore Chardonnay

Quilt Chardonnay

Red

My sister turned me on to Red Blends and Malbecs. My friend Jordan exposed me to Syrah. And my parents introduced me to Cabernet Sauvignon. These days I’ve really been enjoying Malbecs and have yet to find one that I don’t like. See a few of my favorites below!

Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon

Apothic Red

Unshackled Red Blend 2018

Biltmore Wines Malbec

Biltmore Wines Red Blend

Other Suggestions!

I’ve gotten great recommendations from local wine stores so if you are new and looking for something specific, or honestly if you don’t even know where to start, ask an employee of a wine store. You can describe what you like or dislike, and even give them a price range for what you are looking for!

I’ve also heard great things about the app Vivino. You can make notes about your favorite wines and then also see recommendations for other options that you may like based on your preferences.

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McKenzie says · 04.27.21

Thanks for the app suggestion. I started a note on my phone to keep track of wines I do (and do not like)….which is okay until you have to replace your phone and don’t properly do the backup!

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Jocelyn says · 04.27.21

I have an album on my phone with photos of my favorites!

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Jocelyn says · 04.27.21

The Apothic Red is one of my favorites too.

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Elizabeth Milligan says · 04.27.21

Isn’t Unshackled yummy?? It’s made by the same people who make The Prisoner which is fabulous but sooo expensive! If you don’t like buttery Chardonnays, try “unoaked” Chardonnays – they are aged mostly in steel, with maybe a few weeks in oak, usually an old oak rather than new oak, which can make a huge difference. And any French/Italian/European chardonnay is aged in OLD oak so it will be way less buttery than a California or other US Chardonnay! And the Vivino app is fantastic-you can enter a wine you do like, and it will give you recommendations for similiar wines and average price points! xoxo

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Kate says · 04.28.21

thanks for your thoughts here! I’ll try that!

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Natalie says · 04.28.21

Hi Kate!
How do you keep wine fresh after opening the bottle? I’m the only one in our house who likes wine, but I only have a glass or two on the weekends. I opened a bottle and had a glass and went to have more a week or so later and it was no good. Maybe I just need to drink more?! Thanks!

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Lindsay says · 05.05.21

Vacu Vin Wine Saver is my go to if I don’t finish a bottle! Cheers!

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Kendra says · 05.02.21

In regards to getting help from a wine store employee or a sommelier the hands down 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 help I have ever received is from the Costco sommelier. They are fantastic. Highly recommend having a chat with the one at your local Costco warehouse next time your getting the essentials!
(As long as your at Costco look for the Kirkland Sig x K Vines special partnership, they have a chard and a rosé and I’m super impressed with the wine! ($10 per bottle is the price point)

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Makenzie says · 05.02.21

Have you tried J lohr. It’s my favorite Cab

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Lindsay Counseller says · 05.06.21

I love the vivino app! My other favorite tool is the menu wine breather for my red wines – it is crazy how much they change after air has helped them breathe.

I also found that I really love wines that are organic/biodynamic, clean and don’t have any sugar added – like from Scout & Cellar.

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