Choosing wine to purchase or drink can be intimidating. The wine industry has waiters, sales people and magazine publishers that complicate wine and make the rest of us feel stupid. It?s time to take the mystique away from wine and see it for what it really is: fancy grape juice that gets a little extra attention. It?s not that difficult to uncork the basics of wine.

The most important rule in drinking wine is to be adventurous and try new wines.

The basics of wine that will get you through any restaurant or wine tasting are, knowledge of the types of grapes ? or ?varietals?? a wine is made from, basic recommended food pairing, and how to taste and smell wine.

At restaurants or wineries you will typically be given a small taste to start. When tasting wine, notice the smell: give your wine a little swirl and take a whiff before sipping. Then try a sip and let the wine roll around your mouth and absorb the flavors.

When you taste or smell wine allow your palate to tell you what the wine tastes and smells like. Don?t rely on the opinion of the guy who wrote the label on a bottle or a magazine review of a wine; most of these descriptions only use terms that are accepted and recognized by the wine industry. Be brave, seek your own descriptions. If you taste bubble gum, rubber bands, or smell wet bicycle seats say it. Who cares what Pierre the Wine Steward thinks?

The main categories of wine are red, white, desert, and sparkling. Red wine, made from purple grapes, gets its color from the skin and stems after being crushed. While the wine ferments in huge tubs, the color of the skin and stems leeches into the wine; the longer they are in contact, the darker and more powerful the wine. Popular red wines are Cabernet, Merlot, and Zinfandel. Some lesser-known reds that are quickly gaining popularity are Syrah / Shiraz, (they are the same thing), Grenache, Barbera and Pinot Noir.

Most red wines are consumed with red meats and hearty dishes. Many reds on the market today are made in a style that are best alone and not in need of pairing with food. The best rule on pairing reds with food is drinking what you like with the food you enjoy. My favorite red wine pairing: Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier with smoked tofu chili.

Syrah is a wine that appeals to new and experienced wine drinkers alike. Most Syrah is big and fruity; some have hints of pepper and smell of fruit and leather. Australian Syrah, usually called Shiraz, is huge and intense in flavor and packed with fruit. Syrah, unlike other reds, has a smooth finish and is not as acidic or dry. The average price for a nice Syrah is around $10 a bottle; local favorites include Lava Cap or Terre Rouge from the Eldorado Foothills.

White wine is made from green grapes; popular whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viogner, and Pinot Grigio. Flavors associated with white wines are typically apples, peaches, honeydew melon, flowers, oak, and my personal favorite, Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil. While there is some great Chardonnay, I encourage my peers to try Sauvignon Blanc, Viogner, and Pinot Grigio. These whites are fruitier and livelier than Chardonnay. White wines usually pair nicely with lighter foods like salads, fish, and cheese.

Bored with white wine? Try white with bubbles. Sparkling wine, known as Champagne, is great to drink for than special occasions. Most sparkling wines go well with just about any food and do an excellent job of cleansing your palate between courses or bites. ?Blanc de Noirs? sparkling wines tend to sweeter than ?Blanc de Blanc.? Roederer Estate and Chandon Blanc de Noirs are typically crowd pleasers and retail for as little as $10 – $15.

Dessert wines and ports are the sugar daddies of the wine world. Most are much higher in alcohol and sugar and pair nicely with any desert and cheese. Try white desert wines with cheese and port with chocolate or cigars. For the truly adventurous try pouring port over the top of Vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

In the Sacramento area there are several restaurants and retailers that have great wine lists and have a helpful and approachable staff. P.F. Chang?s in Roseville has a diverse wine list that is organized in an easy-to-follow manner. The staff at P.F. Chang?s keeps their nose in the wine glass and out of the air. The Olive Garden offers complimentary wine tasting and information every Friday and Saturday evening at all locations.

The most helpful and knowledgeable retailers in Sacramento are Corti Brothers, Beyond Napa Wine Market, and Sellands Market. These shops have a huge selection, great sales people that actually talk to you in understandable terms and fair pricing on their wines.