I love red wine and there is so much variety throughout the world, I’d love to hear which wines people like and why.  Feel free to throw out specifics and especially any hidden jewels you’ve discovered.

For me, I lived just outside Sonoma, CA for three years, but nothing compares to the Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa.  My favorite is Niebaum Coppola’s Rubicon – it’s like a dark red cherry with a long finish.

Right now I’m enjoying an Australian beauty called Razor’s Edge.  Killer wine for under $15 – HIGHLY recommended – a Shiraz, Grenache blend.

Cheers!

I'm sure this is off topic, but.....

Hungarian red wines.  Yummy.

I've found Eastern European wines to be fantastic, just unknown to the rest of the world.

(A stern warning--don't drink and chess!)

Yes - I've been burned more than once trying to enjoy chess and wine at the same time.

What's the style of Hungarian wines? I love wines from around the world because they exhibit such a variety of character.  I don't know any Eastern European varieties though.

This should be in the "Off Topic" section, but anywho...

I've found that finishing a bottle of Rosé by one's self in about 20 minutes on an empty stomach will turn one into a hate machine.  Be prepared to make several apologies the following day.

On a more serious note, I usually prefer Cabernet Sauvignons.  I don't like Merlot and usually don't like white wines.  I spent a semester in France and while I'd like to say I learned a great deal about wines I really didn't.  Being a student, I didn't have a ton of money so I just drank the 2 euro stuff all the time.  It wasn't bad.  2 euro bottle of wine in France would be the same quality as a 10 or 15 dollar bottle here in the states.

I'm wicked jealous of your trip to France!  I tend to like the same as you, but have had several merlots of late that are very Cab-like - so much so that you'd be shocked. I think the movie Sideways was a little rough on the poor grape.If you dare to branch out - try Swanson's merlot and I swear you will think its a $50 napa cab.

I visited Italy last year and went to a winery called Casale Cento Corvi that produced a wine called Giacchè, which is supposedly an ancient Etruscan style of wine that predated the Romans.  It was a delicious historical experience. I think began exporting to the US fairly recently. 

Something without a screw top and not pink in color.

Port. As long as it is *real* Port.

Chianti.

Don't like champaigne. Puked £5000 worth of bubbly in 1981, at *1981* prices. Sort of like in that Woody Allen film where this guy shows him some coke and says it is $2000 an ounce [at *those days'* prices]  - and Woody Allen sneezes and the $2000 turns into suspended-paticulate-matter air pollution...

Discerning palate ahhh?!  As long as it isn't aged on the trucks...

Love port as well!  A good Tawney - yummy.  Those are sneaky strong though.  I've seen many over indulge on that stuff.

The great white sparkler ... Moscota D'aste~!

Lambrusco Emilio

Vega Sicilia from Ribera del Duero

Viña Ardanza from Rioja.

Year 2001.

I'z bez pereferring summ Mad Dog 20 20 out back behind the dumpster on a Saterdae nite! Taist  just as good cummin up as going douwnn...... huuuppppp.

Patches Agrees!

Patches  rofl.  Didn't know he watched NASCAR with you.

Hungarian reds are sweet and caress your throat like silk.

Eastern European?  Hmm.  I don't know the wine words to describe them, but they're simply good.  And inexpensive.  If you can find one....

I don't like red wine because it's dry, I'm more for a sweet white wine ! But sirloin steak can be nice soaked in red wine.

I love Spanish wine... tempraillo, granache and monastrell blends.  Another bonus is these are usually more affordable in the States than comparable California wines.  I have a store down the hill from me that carries about 100 Spanish labels - I'll check to see if they carry these two.  

Interesting... how do you cook it?

You just leave it to soak for a while, then you fri it or grill it.