Consumer

3 On Your Side: Understanding Wine

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― How much do you know about wine? Do you know the difference between a Riesling and a rose'? How about a chardonnay and a shiraz? If you need a course in wine 101, 3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan introduces you to the wine guy for the average Joe who helps you understand it.

Americans love wine. On average, each person consumes more than two gallons of it per year.

Whether we get it at our favorite restaurant or the local store, everyone chooses wine differently.

"I look for the flavor, I look for the price and I also look for the quality of the wine and you know that only by tasting it," said one woman.

At Ralph's Italian Restaurant in South Philadelphia, they sell more than 100 different bottles of wine.

Choosing one can be intimidating.

"People tend to be overwhelmed by it because they just don't know what to do and they shouldn't be afraid to try different things," said Barry Kerney, a manager at Ralph's.

Gary Vaynerchuk, the self proclaimed wine guy for the average Joe, says try everything so you appreciate the flavors.

"Until you really drink a lot of different varieties and really get a sense of what the wine is about, I don't think you really understand it," says Vaynerchuk.

In his new book, 101 Wines Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight and Bring Thunder to Your World, he shares some of his favorites. You may be surprised to find out which ones made the list. There are rose' wines in it, there's a box wine in there, there are wines at $9 and there are wines at $200.

Gary says just because it's expensive, doesn't mean it's better. He likes a 2004 bottle of Pretty Sally cabernet-shiraz from Australia. It'll cost you less than $15.

"I think a lot of people are scared off by silly names like this and they shouldn't be," Vaynerchuk said.

If you're a sauvignon blanc or Riesling drinker, pop open a 2005 bottle of Albarino from Spain, also under $15. At $12, a 2003 Chateau Le Thys Bordeaux is a winner.

The bottom line with Gary, don't drink the same thing all the time, try everything and expand your palate.

"It's like only eating fries and burgers and pizza everyday and there's a lot of stuff out there," he said.

Poor conditions and bad weather can also mean bad wine. So before picking up a bottle, be sure to ask if the vintage you're considering had a good year in that particular region.

RELATED LINKS:

Wine Library
Ralph's Restaurant
Total Wine

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