I've lost my love for Lambrusco

When I was first introduced to wine Riunite Lambrusco was it for me. I loved it. Sweet, red, mysterious, cheap - mmm, I was sold. I knew that no matter what I tried I could always fall back on a bottle of Riunite.

Last night Desiree and I ordered up some Hawaiian pizza (ham and pineapple) from our favorite local pizzeria and I picked up a jug of Riunite Lambrusco for the dinner table in an effort to land on something everyone would like (we were having her brother over and his wife).

I was so not impressed. The smell was wax-candy-like and I tasted - dare I say it - metallics in the aftertaste! It reminded me of Yellow Tail Shiraz and it's fake syrup-like flavor minus the oak (I can tolerate their shiraz actually).

I know, I know, I'm late to the party.

Ever since I've been entertaining my palate with red varietals from brands like Rosemount Estate and Black Swan I've fallen out of love with Lambrusco.

Recently I had a friend, a wine specialist, tell me that she was really into a certain type of Lambrusco. Needless to say I'm very excited to try it given my bad experience with Riunite.

Sorry Riunite Lambrusco, I've moved on and thrown out the love letters.

Rosemount Grenache Shiraz

In my pursuit for a shiraz that Desiree would actually drink I picked up a bottle of Rosemount's Grenache Shiraz. Usually the oak flavors in a shiraz turn her off right away.

We were both taken back by this blend. The grenache grape subdues the typical oak-flavor of the shiraz and enables the fruits to take most of the stage. It seems like all the bite, which is not much, is in the front leaving the end smooth as all get out and very enjoyable. It's a perfect starter wine or starter shiraz for that matter - very mild, nice fruit-flavors, very smooth and very tasty.

According to their marketing it goes great with pasta (of course) barbecue and middle-eastern dishes. If you're hesitant about shiraz or wine in general I would serve it chilled; however, a enjoying all wine just below room temperature.