Ryan Jones Expert Guru

I am a 27 year old wine guru living in Southern California. I have worked my way from the bottom, starting as a buss boy in restaurants on up to a Sommelier in a fine dinning restaurant. Nothing was easy on the way. I have dedicated the last 4 years to becoming an expert in wine. I have studied under some of the most well renowned people in the industry. I am certified as a first level sommelier, I have successfully passed the CSW (Certified Specialist in Wine), and am employed as a fine wine specialist for a leading distribution company on the west coast. All of that is great, but bottom line is I LOVE WINE and I love teaching people about it. Whether you know nothing or everything about wine I love to participate.

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Channel Experience

 Entertain/Events
 Food/Drink
 Education/Training
 Marketing/Promotion

Career Experience

 Hobby Writer

Project Experience

 Catalogs

Industry Experience

 Hospitality

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Wine Basics

Wine has been a part of human life for over 4000 years, it is a daunting task trying to dive into the culture. I suggest starting with a wine that is enjoyable to your palate. Whether it be white or red, sweet or dry, old world or new world, try as many as you can until you find one you like.

Finding a Wne You Like

The American palate has been overwhelmed with sweetness, think of all of the sugar you had as a child. This dictates what you enjoy in a wine. Many wineries play off this assumption, and in return they make wines that suite the "everyday wine drinker." Blended wines are made for these such consumers, they have both white blended and red blended, try both and see what you like.

Try a Variety of Wines

Many people make the mistake of getting the same wine every time. I always encourage people to "Break out of the box" and try something different. If you only drink red wine, try a white every once and a while to see how you like it. Try that $6.00 wine from Spain, you never know it might become your next favorite.

Health

It is a proven fact that both red and white wine contain antioxidants that improve health. Drinking one glass of wine per day is good for your health.

Organic Wines

Sustainable farming is a large focus for wine makers across the world. This is the practice of using all natural products and resources in the vineyard, ie using mustard plants in between the vines attracting bees which keep certain pests away, and using the skins and stems of a previous vintage as compost for the next vintage. This creates better wine and helps “Mother Earth.” Preservation of the earth is the #1 concern of wine makers all over the world.

Summer Wines

Ya summer! It is hot out and there are many types of wines that will cool you down. Grab a glass and fill it with a Sauvignon Blanc, now go outside and sit on the porch and enjoy. Dry acidic wines taste the best during hot summer days. I recommend the following; Sauvignon Blanc or Fume Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rose (a true rose is made from a Grenache grape), or a Prossecco.

Food Pairings for red wine

When drinking red wines be sure to pair it with the correct food. When Drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot get a nice serving of red meat, steak or lamb is perfect. Pinot Noir is a wine that "Goes with everything", this is perfect if you are having red meat and your loved one is having fish.

Food pairings for white wine

When drinking white wines remember this, acidic wines cut through fatty foods. If drinking a white wine that is higher in acidity, balance it out with a fattier fish ie., Salmon or Halibut.

Italian wines

Italian wines are some of the oldest in the world, and it’s very fun to try some of the varietals. There are more than 1,000 different grape varieties in Italy. There are 20 different regions in Italy try to find a wine from each region. It will be hard but look in a local wine shop.

French Wines

Many People turn there noses up to French wine, I ask you to put politics aside and understand that some of the best wine in the world comes from France. I don't recommend spending $300 a bottle, I do recommend finding a reasonably priced wine from France and try it, see what you think.