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Clueless about wine? 10 to try (April 14, 2010)

By Bill Daley

Clueless about wine? Don't worry, you're sitting in a pretty crowded boat. While it seems more and more people are drinking more and more wine, there's still a wide gap out there in terms of wine knowledge.

"There's a huge gap. That's why I chose the American market for my book," said Carolyn Evans Hammond, the Toronto-based author of the just-published "Good, Better, Best: A No-Nonsense Guide to Popular Wines" (Alpha, $12.95). "Right now, the United States is poised to be the biggest wine consumer in the world. The vast majority of what (it) drinks is popular big brands costing under $15."

Yet, as Hammond points out, most wine reviews and advice is aimed at higher-priced, small-production wines that often can't be found where you live. Her book seeks to rectify that by comparing the big brands by price point (up to $15) and grape variety.

"There's a huge gap in wine criticism," she said. "We need to look at the wines that are the most popular, rank them and tell people which are the best."

You shouldn't spend more than $15 until you "understand your preferences" and take responsibility for discovering the flavors you like.

Start with the major grapes, she said. "Chardonnay? Citrus. Merlot? Cherries. Cabernet sauvignon? Like black currant. This is consistent, it's not going to change."

10 wines to try

Carolyn Evans Hammond lists more than 250 wines in her new "Good, Better, Best: A No-Nonsense Guide to Popular Wines." Here are her top 10 "must try" wines priced under $15. Prices may vary. For more information, go to her Web site wine-tribune.com.

Whites
1. Cavit Collection Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie, Italy
2. Columbia Crest Two Vines Chardonnay, Washington
3. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Riesling, California

Reds
4. Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon, California
5. Gabbiano Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
6. Mark West Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
7. Bogle Petite Sirah, California
8. Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, South Australia

Sparkling
9. Korbel Brut California Champagne,

California Dessert
10. Sutter Home Family Vineyards Moscato, California

To see the review on the source website please click here.