THE POUR

You've likely experienced some confusion when shopping for a new wine to try. There are hundreds of options to choose from in just one store, so how do you know which wine pairs best with your dinner, or which is easy to drink on its own?

This situation shouldn’t mean you avoid trying new wine altogether. It means you should learn how to distinguish between what’s worth your time and what isn’t. And what better way to learn than from the wine experts themselves.

Here are five wine questions to ask the experts to ensure you leave with a bottle you'll love.

When you start paying attention to wine, you’ll hear a lot about certain wine regions — and when you pay attention even longer, you’ll hear about two gems from Italy: Barolo and Brunello.

They may not be name-dropped as much in American restaurants and some shops, but you can bet Barolo and Brunello are a recurring topic of recommendation when you’re looking at high-quality wines, especially from the Old World (classic European wine regions).

Here's what you should know about both varietals.

You like wine — trying different wines, serving different wines, telling your friends about wines — but now you want to try something for yourself: hosting a wine tasting party.

If this describes you, chances are you've attended a wine tasting event at a liquor store or winery, where a sommelier educated you on several types of wines and told you what scents and tastes to expect from each. Not only are wine tastings fun and easy ways to try a variety of wines you may not have sampled before, but they are also good opportunities to learn about wine, how to describe wine, and how to find new wines you may enjoy.

But how exactly does one host a wine tasting party? We'll share the basic tips you need to know to plan your very own wine tasting at home.

Can you believe it’s almost New Year’s Eve? Before your mind spins out of control about your plans and hopes for 2019, consider this brainteaser: why will millions of people around the world hold a glass of Champagne to ring in the New Year when the clock strikes midnight on January 1?

• How did the tradition start?
• Why is Champagne so closely associated with celebration?
• What’s the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?

December 31st is National Champagne Day, so what better time to learn the ins and outs of this noteworthy beverage of glistening occasions? Let’s dig into these questions so you’re ready for the New Year’s Eve party and a full year of celebration-worthy events.

There is probably no wine more popular around the world than Cabernet Sauvignon.

With roots in France and explosive prevalence in the New World winemaking powerhouse of California — as well as Argentina, Australia, Chile, Italy, and South Africa — it’s for good reason that they say in the wine world, "Cab is king." Don't know what that means? It’s a good thing you’re here: we'll tell you everything you need to know about this deliciously popular red wine.

Ah yes, it’s that time of year... when snow, visiting relatives, and a little too much time on your hands inevitably makes you wish for one thing: Christmas drinks.

OK, maybe you want a little more than Christmas drinks, like some peace and quiet, or relaxing ambience in which to enjoy them.

What constitutes a Christmas drink? When you think of Christmas, you think of Santa and his reindeer, stockings hung above the fireplace, and a glowing tree with presents beneath it. But you might also think about hosting your family for a holiday meal. Whether you stick to a simple, quiet tradition or invite all the relatives over for family fun, here are five holiday-inspired cocktail recipes to try.

When you hear “spicy,” you might think of dried poblano peppers and the cuisine of the Southwestern United States. But, if you’re looking for a spicy twist on your cocktails, look no further than Ancho Reyes chile liqueur.

Made using — no surprise here — ancho chile, those very sun-dried poblano peppers, this liqueur is not for the faint of heart. If you want to cozy up in the cold weather and survive the season with the spark of desert heat, you need cocktails with chile liqueur. So buckle up, set up your home bar, and explore these devilishly delicious cocktails you can make using the unique and fiery Ancho Reyes chile liqueur.

Wine is a never-ending universe of different flavors from different places. You could keep trying different wine varietals every week and for every occasion and still not get to the bottom of all that the world of wine has to offer.

But let’s not be shy about experimenting and sampling and exploring a few corners of wine varietals we’ve never tried — let alone heard of.

Wine is produced in all sorts of little pockets around the world. Don’t get us wrong — we love the classic French and Italian and Californian works of wine genius. We should also, though, be willing to try wines from strange, lesser-known, and unexpected regions. Whether you're a big traveler or enjoy staying close to home, here are some rare varietals to try.

You’ve probably heard someone rattling off the wine list at a restaurant or mention their favorite types of wine. You’re familiar with a lot of names they mention: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Rosé — but one of the names makes you wonder: Malbec. Is Malbec wine, a philosopher you missed in Psych 101, or an obscure cat name from the Internet?

If you haven’t tried it yet, Malbec is a red wine well worth your time. Here's what to expect.

Tis the season for gatherings, food, wine, and gifts. So, if you're invited to a holiday party this year — whether it's hosted by your boss, best friend, or family member — bring a bottle of wine as a host/hostess gift.

You may be thinking, "I have no idea what kind of wine they like!" Don't worry, there are several types of wines that appeal to a large crowd with a variety of flavor preferences. Here are some of our favorites.