Tips for the Wine Novice

While we may not all remember that first sip of wine, BJ Winskowski, owner of Wine 101 in Mukilteo, Wash., has some tips for the wine novice.

“Taste as many wines as possible,” she said. One way to do that is to order a “flight” at a wine bar or restaurant. Wine flights, also sometimes referred to as tasting flights, are tastings of multiple wines, in order to get a feel for breadth or depth.

Wine flights are usually intended for those new to the experience of tasting wine, or for those who want to increase their understanding of a specific region, vintage or varietal.

“First time wine-tasters usually like white in the beginning, or light or sweet reds,” she said. “Our American palate is on the fruity side. European winemakers create wines that go well with food, and so it’s part of the food group.

“Since we don’t have a regional food group, our wines are made just to be good in the glass,” she said. “It’s a bonus when the wine pairs well with food; however, a lot of consumers just like wine that tastes good.”

Here are some of the author’s favorite wines and wineries:

Yalumba – situated in the heart of the Barossa, Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery.
Va Piano – located in Walla Walla, Wash., this winery’s name means go softly in Italian. It has connections to Gonzaga University, and features its 2006 St. Aloysius Cabernet.
Sapolil Cellars – the tasting bar is a baby grand piano. Need I say any more.
Otis Kenyon – lucky for us “wetsiders” Otis Kenyon has opened a tasting room in Woodinville, Wash. Our favorite is the Matchless red blend.
DeLille Cellars – also located in Woodinville we first tasted this splendid wine a couple years ago and now visit often.

Remember this, “life is too short to drink bad wine.”