Take the wine quiz...

Which is closest to the wine you're looking for?  The result might not be what you expect.

• A clean, refreshing white wine with a hint of citrus, from lemon and grapefruit to key lime pie.  A seam of mineral, grass and green apple might be nice.  A wine that would go perfectly with conversation, appetizers, and lighter foods/seafood...
• A rich, fruity white with flavors of peach, melon and citrus.  For a treat, a hint of coconut, cream and apricot on the finish...
• A floral, spicy white with apricot and peach fruit flavors, racy acidity and maybe a hint of sweetness.  A wine that would go well with spicy foods...  
• A lighter fruit bowl red wine with subtle flavors of bright red fruits:  red currants, cherries and cranberries, and if I'm lucky a hint of cinnamon...
  
• A medium-bodied red with notes of sweet cherry and dried fruits, maybe some earth, and more pronounced spice than in lighter reds...
• A rich red with intense flavors earth, black cherry and cracked pepper, and maybe a hint of licorice or blueberry...
• A full-bodied, sinewy red with dark fruits; blackcurrants, blackberries, superripe cherry, plum, chocolate and mint flavors.

  

 
Wine 101


Like people, no two wines are alike.  This is both the delight and challenge of  wine. But if we know a few things about what makes one wine different from the next, we can use that knowledge!
For example, how do you build on the fact that you love a particular 2004 California Cabernet Sauvignon?   First, articulate what you like; perhaps the rich, ripe fruit flavors, or the fact that it goes perfectly with grilled meats or rich stews.  Even with this simple assessment, we can now ask intelligent questions about what we like or don’t like


Is there something about this vintage that I like compared to the same wine produced the year before?

Should I try Cabernet from other parts of the world that have a climate and soil similar to the source for the one I like?

Are there other varietals that offer a rich flavor experience similar to Cabernet?  Should I try other Cabernet-based wines from the same area, or adjoining regions?  What is different about these regions compared to other wine-producing areas.

Questions like these lead to understanding why we like - or don’t like - a particular wine.  These questions also turn into a sort of fun game.  Talk about pleasure with a purpose!


I've divided red and white wines into four categories.  The division is simple, but with plenty of exceptions.  For example, you'll find Sauvignon Blanc in the "light white" section because many wines containing this grape fall into the "light" category - but by no means all.