Choosing wine for a birthday

[nickd01]

We're having drinks and nibbles at a local bar for the missus's 40th. I'd like to have an idea what wine to order before we head there; and we don't have time for tastings.

Here's the list:
http://www.colonybarandgrill.com/menu8

We like: Red, Fruity, minimal tannis (sp?), drinkable without needing food, medium to heavy bodied.

It's for her 40th, so ignoring budget for now - is there anything there that might meet my criteria?

Can anyone guide me at all? I know it's not much to go on....

Thanks

[sherman]

Will the bar not let you take your own if you are going to have a fair bit and pay corkage?

Otherwise I would go for something from the new world for a lighter red wine.

[condor]

I'd have gone for the Fleurie or the New Zealand Pinot Noir

[nickd01]

sherman said:

Will the bar not let you take your own if you are going to have a fair bit and pay corkage?

Otherwise I would go for something from the new world for a lighter red wine.

Afriad not - I did ask - but as there's only 10 or so of us they weren't keen.

[nickd01]

condor said:

I'd have gone for the Fleurie or the New Zealand Pinot Noir

I do like NZ Pinot's generally; maybe that'd be a safe bet!

[condor]

Those are the two for 'minimal tannins' - Fleurie is a Beaujolais Cru...and would have been my first preference.

[nickd01]

condor said:

Those are the two for 'minimal tannins' - Fleurie is a Beaujolais Cru...and would have been my first preference.

Thanks Condor - appreciate the guidance.

[Mobile Chicane]

condor said:

Those are the two for 'minimal tannins' - Fleurie is a Beaujolais Cru...and would have been my first preference.

I'd go for the Fleurie too. These are massively underrated wines in my opinion.

[dbroughton]

full bodied and fruity without some tannins is a tough call unless you are happy with fruit juice. I used to think I didn't like tannins but what I actually hated was the "green" tannic wine we got before the new world arrived in our supermarket. Fleurie and cheaper pinots are just too one dimensional for my taste (not a fan of Ribena!)

If money is not an issue try the Pesquera. It is junior world class wine from a great vineyard. A good full bodied red with lots of alcohol ripe fruit and oak to soften and balance the tannins. Cant go wrong. I promise you will be happy.

[nickd01]

dbroughton said:

full bodied and fruity without some tannins is a tough call unless you are happy with fruit juice. I used to think I didn't like tannins but what I actually hated was the "green" tannic wine we got before the new world arrived in our supermarket. Fleurie and cheaper pinots are just too one dimensional for my taste (not a fan of Ribena!)

If money is not an issue try the Pesquera. It is junior world class wine from a great vineyard. A good full bodied red with lots of alcohol ripe fruit and oak to soften and balance the tannins. Cant go wrong. I promise you will be happy.

I understand what you're saying - I have described fruit juice really! I'll definately take a look at that one too; I'd be interested to see how it compares.