<p>I’m trying to expand my repertoire of tasty (though inexpensive) red wines. I don’t get to drink wine that often because of work, but when I do, I enjoy a nice glass or two of red wine. My favorite right now is a blend, called “Our Daily Red”, which is an organic California wine that goes for only $7-8 a bottle. </p>
<p>Any other suggestions? I prefer Merlots or Blends over the stronger tasting wines.</p>
<p>I just went to a wine tasting the other night for a friend who has a wine business. I have to agree on Merlot being my fave, overall. </p>
<p>No matter how good the quality, I tend to get a headache. Sad.</p>
<p>My sister has this amazing Sangria recipe that she uses cheapo 2 buck Merlot from Fresh and Easy. It’s like Hawaiian Punch for adults. </p>
<p>Strangely, I don’t get a headache. 
</p>
<p>My absolute favorite is this one:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com/products/core/#2[/url]”>http://www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com/products/core/#2</a></p>
<p>Just like they say - it is a “fruit salad in a glass” sans the sweetness. However, at $15-$20/bottle it is a special treat. For casual dining, we like red Yellow Tails or Robert Mondavi Vinyards’ Merlot ($8-9 at TJ’s).</p>
<p>SLS - Google “red wine headache” - apparently, it a medical term.</p>
<p>Bunsen,</p>
<p>Thanks for that link. </p>
<p>At that tasting, I was fine until I tried the red wine. I generally stay away from most wines if I want to work/read/function like a human for the next day or so.</p>
<p>My headache lasted more than 24 hours - not a migraine, but just a dull pain. Which literally happened about 5 minutes after consuming the red.</p>
<p>Good to know. I love Google and nice posters who dispense wisdom on CC. :D</p>
<p>I had heard that wine headaches come from the sulfates, not the wine (unless, of course, you’re drinking alot of wine :D)! Have you tried sulfate free…i.e organic wines?</p>
<p>And I really enjoy Willamette valley wines, I’ll try that one. For some reason they are so good from the valley.</p>
<p>Try a Malbec form Argentina. We really enjoy those and they are many that are very reasonably priced.</p>
<p>Hob Nob Pinot Noir----enjoying this one right now, after tasting in local wine store</p>
<p>Rosemount Cabernet Sauvignon. (Australian)</p>
<p>Francis Coppola Diamond Claret 2007-Cabernet Sauvignon</p>
<p>Much would depend on what food you are pairing it with. I prefer to eat something when enjoying a glass of wine.</p>
<p>northeastmom! I just bought that same bottle at Trader Joes. The funny thing is that I help manage a very high end wine store. Even with my discounts, the wine is pricey. I often pick up stuff at TJs on a whim and then figure out if we like it. Excited to try that one now. DH loves Cab Sauvs.
PS I have many favorites depending on time of year, food, etc.
Current favorite white: Doug Margerum Sybarite Sauvignon Blanc 2008.<br>
Current favorite red: Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander 2007 Pinot Noir.</p>
<p>Our family loves Kris Heart Merlot, which is (I think) from Sicily. I’m not good at describing wines, but it’s not at all acidic - kind of fruity and mellow but lighter than some others I’ve tried. About $9/bottle.</p>
<p>These wines are sounding delicious. This is a much better way to figure out what to get, instead of choosing bottles because they have a pretty label!</p>
<p>Menage a Trois. Very tasty.</p>
<p>“Menage a Trois. Very tasty.”</p>
<p>I’ve always been tempted to buy that bottle…but have avoided doing so, as not wanting to give my guests the wrong idea 
Maybe something to try for just us.</p>
<p>As long as you serve it to a group, no one will get the wrong idea 
…</p>
<p>ebeeee, enjoy! </p>
<p>Well, after doing a lot of hard physical work today I am on this thread while enjoying some Dow’s Port Vintage 2007 with some cheese. Not cheap though! It was a gift! Good stuff.</p>
<p>Rosemont Shiraz. </p>
<p>We keep coming back to it as our “everyday” red. We have had better reds that cost more and were harder to find but this is the one we keep stocked for when we want wine with dinner. First encountered it as a gift from a wine knowledgeable friend many years ago. Just gave some to a neighbor who liked it. Serve it to company. Find it better than othe brands readily available and we like Shiraz better than other reds. Seems to have enough “body”, flavor, etc. When you try a wine that seems thin (like Koolaid without the sweetness) you understand what the experts mean with terms.</p>
<p>Found the device that you evacuate the air from the bottle then keep capped works well for us in keeping the wine fresh a few days. Very inexpensive, find at local stores. Have since read this doesn’t work but it does for us. The worst thing is finding that good tasting wine won’t last 3 days.</p>
<p>I love any Italian Red wine. I always look for the cheaper ones and they are always great. I buy at Costco.</p>
<p>I like the Gerard “Old Vine Zinfindel” and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, and I like all the Tee Vines (shiraz and petite syrah) and I like Edgewood Cabernets and I like a wine called The Prisoner…its a blend of cabs and zin and it is delicious. I love wine.</p>