# I want to learn about wine **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 24, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899 "2002-03-24T21:20:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/1 "2002-03-24T21:20:17Z")
As I was perusing the wine list at one of my favorite local restaurants last night (before ordering a Diet Pepsi), I realized that my knowledge of and appreciation for wine is sorely lacking. I like wine, and I know some about the wine-making process and the different types, but I just don’t have a very good practical appreciation. The best way to remedy this, I figure, is to buy a bottle or two as often as I can and try as many different ones as possible, until I get a handle on what the differences are. But how can I best guide my learning? I hang out with a real Bud Light/Smirnoff Ice sort of crowd, so there’s no help there, nor do I feel the staff at any of our local liquor stores would be that useful. I’d love to take a class, but I can’t seem to find any. How can a guy (on a budget) gain an appreciation for wine? Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Jonno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jonno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonno)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/2 "2002-03-24T21:31:24Z")
[Idiot’s Guide to Wine](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028636619/qid=1017005168/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-7436608-2259260) Even having a fair bit of knowledge about wine, this book rocks. I’d recommend it without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/3 "2002-03-25T00:16:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > **The best way to remedy this, I figure, is to buy a bottle or two as often as I can and try as many different ones as possible** Bingo. You have NAILED the right way to learn about wine. It will be a long, difficult, and painful learning experience, drinking all that wine, but you’ll emerge from it a finer and better and more knowledgable person. (\*\*CC’\*\*s probably right about that book, by the way. Haven’t read it myself, but the series certainly includes dozens of decent primers on all subjects.) ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/4 "2002-03-25T06:30:50Z")
I have “Wine for Dummies” and joined a wine club that sends me two bottles a month, typically one red and one white, one foreign, one domestic. [This](http://www.wineofthemonthclub.com/) is their website, but it seems to be down at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/5 "2002-03-25T07:10:59Z")
Well, if you’re going to advertise wine books on amazon, here’s my fav: “Great Wines Made Simple” by Andrea Imer My favorite part was when she hit’s on 80% of the wine sold comes from 6 grapes and how to identify them (If you actually do as she recommends you’re going to end up drinking some stuff). > **[Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.](https://www.amazon.com/)** > > Free shipping on millions of items. Get the best of Shopping and Entertainment with Prime. Enjoy low prices and great deals on the largest selection of everyday essentials and other products, including fashion, home, beauty, electronics, Alexa... ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/6 "2002-03-25T07:21:16Z")
Whoops! Kill the “s” in Wine. Make the book “Great Wine Made Simple” and you should get better results. I’d recommend you read the book with at least one other person to sample with you. > **[Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.](https://www.amazon.com/)** > > Free shipping on millions of items. Get the best of Shopping and Entertainment with Prime. Enjoy low prices and great deals on the largest selection of everyday essentials and other products, including fashion, home, beauty, electronics, Alexa... ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/7 "2002-03-25T19:18:52Z")
[politically incorrect humor] The most famous jewish whine is, " I want to go to \*Miiiiaaaami \* The most popular whine for women is, " I want chooooocooolate." [/pih] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FriendRob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@FriendRob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriendRob)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-about-wine/99899/8 "2002-03-25T19:40:47Z")
I second the idea of learning the _types of grapes_, and deciding which ones you prefer. Reds (I don’t like reds, so few comments here): Cabernet Sauvingon Merlot Pinot Noir (My favorite) Shiraz Whites: Chardonnay (bland - so shoot me) Riesling (sweet German white) Pinot Grigio (light, dry Italian) Sauvignon Blanc (dry) You don’t have to spend a lot - as long as you avoid Gallo Hearty Burgundy & the like. California wines are as good as imports in many cases. French wines are a bit tricky since they are labeled by the _region_ instead of the grape type. Any of the books mentioned will help you translate, e.g. Burgundy = Cabernet Sauvignon (?) Anyway, they are usually more expensive for similar quality (now the Francophiles will shoot me too). Also, try this at home. Restaurants charge 2 to 3 times what the same bottle costs at the store.