Start wining

The depths and differences of wine run deep, from grape varieties and the different wine regions to the way climate and weather affect the crop. Though wine comes in dozens of varieties from all over the world, it should be something everyone can enjoy, according to Doug Hileman, liquor manager at Schnuck's and a certified specialist of wine by the society of wine educators.

For those just starting to try wine, Hileman said a Riesling is a good white wine and a Pinot Noir is an easy beginner's red.

"If the Riesling is too sweet, then you move from there," he said. A Pinot Noir is a lighter red, "not sweet by any means, but a very approachable wine."

Red or white, don't be afraid to ask questions about the wine, the region and the winery that makes it, because one winery can make a dry wine while another could do the same wine with a sweeter, easier touch.

No matter what you decide to drink, Hileman said to enjoy and experience it.

"The thing to remember is the swirl, sniff and taste," Hileman said. "Swirl the wine to release the aromatics. Then get your nose down in it and get a whiff of it."

When you take a drink, let in some air with it and let it sit on your tongue to spread the flavor.

"Lean head back a little and gargle a little," Hileman said. "You're going to get some of the aromas you hear about."

Southeast Missouri has many wineries, which will be on display Friday at the seventh Annual Community Benefit Wine Festival hosted by the Community Counseling Foundation at Deerfield. The benefit will start at 6 p.m. Call Larry Essner at 334-1100, extension 219 for more information.

Below, Hileman described some of the "meat and potatoes" of wines typical in the American repertoire.

But first, some terms to help you navigate wine varieties.

Taste: If the wine is fruity or spicy and what types of fruit can be tasted.

Body: Full, medium or light? The body of the wine describes the weight of it in your mouth and how heavily it sits on the tongue.

sweetness/dryness: This describes how acidic or sweet the wine is. Drier wines will tingle the sides of the tongue. A sweet wine will hit the back of the tongue.

REDS

Pinot Noir (PEE-no newa-ah)

Soft and fruity

Silky wine with a medium or light body

Dry; a good wine to enjoy by itself

Merlot (mer-LOW)

Soft and fruity with a berry flavor

Medium to full body

Dry; can be enjoyed by itself but is better paired with food

Cabernet Sauvignon (cab-er-nay so-vin-yawn)

Rich with a berry flavor

Medium to full body

Dry

Red Zinfandel (red zin-fin-dell)

It's signature is spicy flavor with a lot of berry tones

Full-bodied

Dry

Whites

Sauvignon blanc (so-vin-yawn blonk)

Herbaceous flavor tht can be a lime or grapefruit taste with a hint of grass

Farily light-bodied

One of the driest white wines

Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris (PEE-no gree-jio or PEE-no gree)

Crisp fruit flavor with possible mineral tastes; very fruit forward

Light to medium body

Almost completely dry with lots of acids

Chardonnay (char-don-ay)

Citrus and floral flavors

Full body

Dry

Chenin Blanc (shen-in blonk)

Light and fruity flavors

Medium body

Off-dry or semisweet

Gewurztraminer (geh-VERTZ-tra-meen-er)

Spicy white wine

Light to medium

Semisweet

Riesling (reese-ling)

Floral and fruity

Medium to light

Semisweet and off-dry depending on region

Viognier (vee-ON-ay)

Very floral, very fragrant

Light to medium body

Off-dry