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If Nothing Else...

Wanna conquer this whole wine connoisseur thing...or just throw a great party? Triumph over wine lingo and master a few red, white, and dessert varietals, plus food pairings that'll have you and your guests saying (slurring?) "We came, we saw, we conquered."

If Nothing Else, Try This...

Location, location, location…local, organic wine is best, but a local wine always trumps an organic one if it's shipped from faraway. The average wine shipment adds over 3 million pounds of CO2 emissions into the air - that's like 994 round-trip flights from France to Napa. So next time you're at the wine shop, look for local vino (all 50 states make wine), but if you're itching for a varietal not grown nearby, consider where a bottle's produced - here's a breakdown of how wine gets to you. For example, New Yorkers: a bottle from Bordeaux, France travels by boat, emitting way fewer emissions than wines trucked in from Napa. So consider the shipping source (boat, plane, or truck), then make an offer.
Stat: Over the past 9 years, the number of U.S. wineries has increased by 81%. Of those wineries, CA leads, producing about 90% of U.S. wine.
‹ wineupNext: Part 1: Before You Buy

In This Guide...

  • Part 1
    Before You Buy
    Decoding labels and thinking inside boxed wine. Also: Should you go cork or screw top?
  • Part 2
    Reds
    Organic and biodynamic Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, plus nibbles to match.
  • Part 3
    Whites
    Eco-friendly and delicious Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, plus great recipes to pair.
  • Part 4
    Other Wines
    To drink with dessert or solo.
  • Part 5
    Accessories
    Colorful recycled wine glasses, wine savers, and charms; plus what to do with all that cork.