Merlot 101

what kind of wine/ wine brands would you recommend me?

Okay so i recently got into drinking wine...i love red wine... i love Merlots and Zinfandel's..i don't like sweet wines, but i don't like overly dry dry wine.... my favorite so far being "7 deadly zins" whats a good fairly priced wine ($5-30) that i might like? thank you

Public Comments

1. I am South African so I have to recommend a Pinotage which is exclusive to S.Africa!!! I don't know where you live so I am not sure what is available to you...
2. crios is a great argentinan brand or try luis m martini for a californian brand. "the zin" by constantino is also excellent
3. I like El Felino Malbec from Argentina usually around $16 per bottle. The Prisoner from Orin Swift in Napa for around $31 a bottle. Also Silverado and Luna in Napa make some very nice Sangiovee in the $15 - 20 range. You can get most of them at places like Bevmo. All are fairly fruity, but not dry and not sweet.
4. I was looking up Zinfandel's under older questions and Lisa H. hit it right on.. Wild Horse and my favorite, A. Rafanelli from Dry Creek.. If you can't spend a lot of money, Cline makes a nice wine which is a blend. Called 5 Oakley Reds.. Their winery is in Sonoma, nears Sears Point. We live in Oakley and have been fans for awhile.. We don't care for sweet wines either. There are many good wines from Paso Robles too. If you like 7 deadly zins, make a trip to Lodi and try the wines from that region and then head north to Almador Co and try their zins.. Best place to live.. So many wineries with in a 2 hr. or less drive.
5. I'd recommend any Zinfandel from Renwood and Rosenblum. They both make some premium Zinfandel that costs over $20 and up, but they both have an entry level Zin that is not bad for around $10 a bottle. Learn more about Renwood Zinfandel at: http://www.cheers2wine.com/Renwood-Zinfandel.html Learn more about Rosenblum Zinfandel at http://www.cheers2wine.com/Rosenblum-Zinfandel.html