Suggestions for slightly sweet red wine? I've recently become interested in wines, however at this point I don't know much about them. I'm interested in a slightly sweet red wine. I've heard Riesling is good . . . I like to nibble on cheese with my wine before dinner or just to sip in the late evening. I don't know the price ranges, but I'm looking for an inexpensive bottle, even thogh I know my selections won't be as good. Something around $20 or less would be fine. I'm really looking forward to the suggesions and leariing from it. New Zealand and Australia get to settle their differences on the rugby pitch and cricket field, but when it comes to wine, there's never been a fair playing field. We dig into Vivino data to see which country does wine better. We all know and love the Australia-New Zealand rivalry. It's a bit like watching siblings fight over lego sets. Topics they bicker over include Russell Crowe's nationality, each other's dodgy sportsmanship, who has the better landscapes, and whose climate is more tolerable.

While these two Commonwealth realms get to settle their differences over media jabs and sporting quibbles, when it comes to wine, there's never been a fair playing field. best white wine for afternoon teaSo we decided to dig into Vivino data to see who does wine better and settle this debate.dry red wine goes withThe four categories we judge Australia and New Zealand in wine include:Quantity. best wine in 2009Who produces the better wine?best red wine for cakeOf the flagship wines, who produces more and which are better?top wine list in chicago

Who has the better wine drinkers?We've got Australia's AC/DC and New Zealand's Flight of the Conchords keeping score. best bc wine 2015Follow the results below:Alright, Australia, we get it. best italian red wine under 10You're bigger than New Zealand. best wine making universityWith over 160,000 hectares of wine regions, you crush New Zealand's 35,000 hectares. best french wine dealsThis means you make more wine, and you have way more ratings.Vivino users vote:Australia wines: Over 820,000 ratings on VivinoNew Zealand wines: Over 300,000 ratings on VivinoOne point to Australia and their massive wine industry.What New Zealand lacks in quantity sure makes up for in quality, according to Vivino users from all over the world.

It's not about size, is it New Zealand?Vivino users vote:New Zealand wines: Average rating of 3.72Australia wines: Average rating of 3.57One point to New Zealand and their fine wines.Let's square off Australia's most famous red and white wine styles versus New Zealand's most famous red and white wine styles.New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world's most famous white wines. It is typically a very crisp wine with flavors of grapefruit, tropical fruit and cut grass. Matching up is Australian Chardonnay, the country's most popular white wine, a wine they make both oaked and unoaked versions of.Vivino users vote:New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: Over 165,000 ratings, average rating of 3.79Australian Chardonnay: Over 50,000 ratings, average rating of 3.39Two points, New Zealand, one for number of ratings, one for higher average rating.Australian Shiraz is one of the world's most popular styles, with it's full-body, high-alcohol, and vibrant berry and plum flavors. Matching up is New Zealand Pinot Noir.

While a very different wine from Shiraz, it is by far New Zealand's most popular red wine. These Pinots brim with fresh red cherries and fresh cut roses.Vivino users vote:Australian Shiraz: Over 280,000 ratings, average rating of 3.67New Zealand Pinot Noir: Just over 75,000 ratings, average rating of 3.61Two points, Australia, over the crossbar and between the uprights, successful conversion.In the final category, we wanted to know, who has the most confident wine drinkers; who believes in their country's wine more? And secondly, who has more sportsmanship; which country can rate the other better and be okay with that?To determine which country believed in their own wine more, we looked at how Aussies rated Aussie wine compared to the rest of the world, and how Kiwis rated Kiwi wine compared to the rest of the world.Vivino users vote:Aussie wine drinkers: +0.12. Rate Australian wine an average of 3.69, rest of world rates Australian wine an average of 3.57.Kiwi wine drinkers: +0.03. Rate New Zealand wine an average of 3.74, rest of world rates New Zealand wine an average of 3.71.One point Australia.

They're "up oneself," they might say.To determine who are better sports, we looked at how Aussies rated New Zealand wine compared to the rest of the world, and how Kiwis rated Australian wine compared to the rest of the world. Vivino users vote:Kiwi wine drinkers: +0.07. Rate Australian wine an average of 3.64, rest of world rates Australia wine an average of 3.57.Aussie wine drinkers: -0.09. Rate New Zealand wine an average of 3.63, while the rest of world rates New Zealand wine an average of 3.72.One point New Zealand. They clearly don't mind being complimentary of Australia, a true sign of sportsmanship in this rivalry.And that's a draw! You didn't actually think we were going to pick a winner, did you?New Zealand is a fascinating place for all kinds of reasons, but wine is the defining factor that brings in tourists from across the globe. As a people, Kiwis are ambitious and self-effacing. This handy combination defines their winemakers to a tee. Though 85% of their wine production revolves around one single grape (sauvignon blanc) and though this grape gave New Zealand its global foothold, much of it is lackluster juice.

Pinot noir, rather, will cement the region’s place among the world’s great winemaking countries, and as you’ll see in this list, it’s what excites me the most. New Zealand’s pinot noir wines are coming of age right now. Winemakers have refined their techniques, and new ideas are starting to build with convincing groundswell. Vine age is their ultimate trump card, and this is just kicking in at a critical mass. In fact, vine age is adding to the quality across many wine styles, and producers who’ve been in the game longer and stuck at it are reaping the rewards. This means that pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah, cabernet and merlot-based reds, riesling and even sauvignon blanc are all reaching greater heights of quality than previously seen. The Top 10 wines this year are dominated by pinot noir, and the pick of them is the 2013 Bell Hill Pinot Noir from Waikari, my New Zealand Wine of the Year for 2016. A layered, concentrated and profound expression from Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen’s tiny close-planted vineyard has so much to say.

Coming in at No. 2 is a rare New Zealand syrah that reaches the very pinnacle of quality. The 2014 Trinity Hill Homage is an essay in complex, cooler-climate syrah with seamless structure and deeply compelling character. It has a bright future for those that get some in the cellar. In fact, all of these wines, and the wines of New Zealand, have a bright future. They are defined by exceptional quality and consistency, and in the coming years, New Zealand’s best producers are only going to get better. —Nick Stock, Contributing EditorShow All Tasting Notes 1Bell Hill Pinot Noir Waikari 2Trinity Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay Homage 3Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block 3 4Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough 5Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Pahi 6Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kupe 7Rippon Pinot Noir Central Otago Mature Vine 8Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago 9Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Bannockburn Rippon Gewürztraminer Central Otago

Te Mata Estate Hawke's Bay Coleraine Te Mata Estate Syrah Hawke's Bay Bullnose Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu Hunting Hill Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu Mate's Vineyard Rippon Pinot Noir Central Otago Tinker's Field Giesen Pinot Noir Marlborough SVS Clayvin Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough Crimson Dog Point Pinot Noir Marlborough Craggy Range Pinot Noir Martinborough Aroha Bell Hill Chardonnay Waikari Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough McCrone Vineyard Craggy Range Syrah Hawke's Bay Le Sol Tony Bish Chardonnay Hawke's Bay Skeetfield Vineyard Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kiwa Mammoth Sauvignon Blanc Nelson Rare White Neudorf Chardonnay Nelson Moutere Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Central Otago Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago The Fusilier Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago Last Chance Quartz Reef Pinot Noir Central Otago Bendigo Estate Matua Valley Syrah Hawke's Bay Single Vineyard Matheson