Sommelier Explains Wine Label Red Flags | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit

Sommelier André Hueston Mack returns to show you how knowing what to look for on the label of a red wine will help you better enjoy what's inside. Does one varietal or region always get your tastebuds dancing? Is a particular importer known to really please your palate? What do all those icons on the back mean? Andre is here to demystify and (of course) sample six bottles of wine to see how label expectations match up with the reality of taste.
Follow André on Instagram / andrehmack
Want Bon Appétit shirts, hats and more? shop.bonappetit.com/?...
Still haven’t subscribed to Bon Appétit on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/1TLeyPn
Want more Bon Appétit in your life? Subscribe to the magazine! bit.ly/313UWRu
ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[@AnimeAndre]

This guy explains EVERYTHING so well that it makes me want to actually read all the labels of all the wines I buy! Please tell me you are with me.

[@judywright4241]

I’ve got a bottle of Chardonnay next to me and enjoyed understanding the label and I didn’t know it is a California wine too. So I do look forward to slowing down and choosing more thoughtfully.

[@Taunic]

@@neddanson7162 Just let people have their fun...

[@nibu8743]

Wish he would show prices.

[@bennywinchester7215]

U

[@Mixu.]

I don't even drink and this was interesting to listen to.

[@JosephCatrambone]

Here are the prices (per 750ml) matched to ratings: Tussock Jumper D C- Price: $10 Gulp Hablo C B Price: $11 Vichingo B B+ Price: $25 Syrocco B+ A Price: $20 Giacomo Fenocchio A A Price: $65 Dom. le Sang de Cailloux A A+ Price: $60

[@lizandro7728]

Actual 🐐

[@myrpok]

I wonder if the fact he was drinking as he went along affected the grading towards higher marks at the end.

[@EternalQuestion]

@@myrpok I highly doubt it. We don't see it on camera, but it's normal practice to spit out the wine in a bucket when tasting, so that you can try many different wines without getting drunk. In any case he only took a small sip of each wine and I doubt that would have much of an effect on him anyway.

[@pmasters1951]

If you're paying $65 for a bottle of Fenocchio Dolcetto, you're shopping at the wrong place; it should sell for around $20, maybe $25. Fenocchio's Barolo might go for $65.

[@Beregorn88]

@@pmasters1951 It's 9.5€ for the bottle, plus delivery... Le sang de Cailloux is 21€ on the producer page

[@brianp4438]

I love 15 minutes in, after explaining and critiquing various aspects of the wines he pops the first bottle, smells it and says "smells like wine"

[@jaymarcase9737]

🤣

[@stevemack7110]

Smells like spoiled grape juice.

[@TheFirefox]

Probably because truly bad wines can smell like something different than actual wine (e.g. grape soda).

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

Even professional wine tasters have been found to be wildly inaccurate about the price and origin of wines while blindfolded. "It's wine" is usually plenty.

[@jakesklarew5536]

@@dashiellgillingham4579 certified sommeliers actually can nail the region and even producer of wines at a scary level of accuracy. I mean it's even in the certification exams, so they have to be able to do it

[@HoneyMooseyFace]

Andre needs a full length show with lots and lots of episodes PRONTO. I'd love to follow him around the world as he explores wine culture, cultivation, and business. I'd also give him money to make recs for me, like a wine sub club. This guy is gold.

[@Xfact0r]

Totally agree. I love this guy's vibe.

[@f3lifica]

I was just thinking that! I feel so wine-enlightened right now. Give us all the info Andre!

[@kdstoffel7574]

Absolutely agree. This guy could (should) be a star.

[@Ciridan]

you know sommeliers are snake oils salesmen right?

[@G.R.Buchheister]

Doesn't even have to be about wine, the guy is so chill I'd listen to him talk about anything

[@fandingoORG]

TJ: I'm a silly bear wearing a sweater Andre: And I took that personally

[@TG-jp3tc]

I feel like the artist was told "Tussock" but heard "Cossack" and thought, "A bear in sweater seems appropriate."

[@laurenemax]

I wondered if it was a play on words as British people call a sweater a jumper.

[@jameswarren9717]

the bear was wearing a jumper

[@NoFlu]

Also: Bear = California

[@clarencepage5553]

That Bear is California Cool.

[@tukansrukan1]

You should show the price of each wine at the end

[@nicojar]

You'd pay a bottle of Sang des Cailloux in average $35 in USA, €17.5 in Europe ($21), and that would be the most expensive of the 6. The Dolcetto d'Alba by Giacomo Fenocchio is 9€ here (in Europe, the equivalent of $11) and around $15 in USA. They're all either very cheap or rather cheap wines. In France (I'm French) Sang des Cailloux isn't really seen as an amazing wine, but is in the "quite good" (4/5) category. The 2019 Dolcetto d'Alba is a fair 3/5. It's a bit sour, then earthy, but doesn't last long in mouth. I'd definitely try the Moroccan wine, which seems to be a French person cultivating in Morocco - old methods, new earth. Belgian (white) wines are something to taste, as climate change made some regions of this small country the equivalent of the German/Alsacian (FR) valleys in terms of sun, but the soil hasn't been cultivated for grapes much there in BE, so you get very complex aromes and it's often surprisingly wonderful, you're in for a fruity surprise.

[@adamwhite3255]

@@nicojar Thanks for doin' the research, Nicolas! :D

[@jamesallen5223]

@@nicojar I tuned out for a little but thanks for the info

[@maryinsanfrancisco]

@@nicojar what a pleasant surprise to find out that they're all very affordable, thanks for the information.

[@TravelAddictGuy]

@@nicojar Bravo sir.👏

[@MeatloafOfDecay]

21:22 "The cool thing about wine is that the more you drink, the better you become at it." I appreciate this kind of advice.

[@mattmaddock2664]

"Keep Drinking" and I agree

[@SwedishMisha]

Skid Row here I come😂

[@roccomac8943]

I remember this guy rating inexpensive wines and was hoping he’d pop up in more videos. Give him a regular spot. Great info without being a pretentious wine snob.

[@emilymcglynn]

"90% of people buy wine based on the art on the label" - Yes. Yes they do.

[@BakaNeBaka]

And the price... Ha

[@zeeknotgeek]

yes agree. that's me 90% of the time. lol

[@zyffyr]

@Evan Tara What is the blood type and vintage?

[@thewinesmith]

Sombody told me once that you can make the best wine in the world, but if nobody knows about it why does it matter?

[@cameronh8811]

Yeah and?

[@gillsclark642]

I love that he's so understanding that most people don't know the specifics of wine!! It sometimes seems so daunting to look through a bunch of bottles when you don't have the vernacular to sort through them

[@rossdelrio246]

Would love to see this with a blind tasting component to see what effect the label has on your perception of quality

[@uberfresco]

I I don't even drink wine. I just love how this guy delivers his mass amount of knowledge. Reminds me of those far and few between teachers in high school who were actually passionate about teaching.

[@dylanberryman5365]

My man was lightin Tussock Jumper up 😂

[@kidcharlemagne1002]

That's what they get for making crap wine.

[@VFRExplorer]

Why would a bear need a sweater, haha!

[@KayleBradley]

Yeah, it seemed weird to me that "Spain" was a good enough location for him, but "Calafornia" was not.

[@soxpeewee]

I trust blind taste tests more

[@zucchinigreen]

@@KayleBradley Cause you can pinpoint the regions where wine grows in California easier than Spain I think. It's smaller, there's less. So the fact that the label just said California makes it sus.

[@jewelsgrl]

He is so knowledgeable but so authentic and easy-going. Great seeing him again!

[@bigstupidgrin]

They get so many nice experts to do these.

[@danielmoura9421]

He looks and sounds like Pixar tried to design a wine expert. Loving these videos

[@jewelsgrl]

@@danielmoura9421 yes!!!

[@Ciridan]

sommeliers aren't experts, their fraudsters

[@spacini]

@@Ciridan like you, only you're a troll and not very good at it.

[@ebstephenses]

Love how he's always real. Says exactly how he feels and if he wrongly judges something he's an adult and gives them the proper credit. Seems like a great guy to have a drink with.

[@dEcmircEd]

"I'm sure they have a rich history of wine making there" Morocco: laughs uncomfortably in French and Arabic

[@ianygayo8592]

Can we get this weekly? I'm here for it!

[@celraekc]

I clicked so fast.

[@laurenbrookey6495]

Agreed. So helpful and interesting.

[@debelipacov]

And this dude is super cool, we need more of him.

[@sydney1808]

Agreed. Could always use more wine knowledge!

[@kuarce]

Yes please! Brings me old winelibrary tv vibes

[@hubertuswolfthaler]

I like the fact that the most prestigious wine importer in the world isn’t called Sir Julius Fancypants or anything like that, he’s called Kermit 🐸🍷

[@aclonymous]

🐸🧑🏿‍🦱

[@ROOSEVELTNOX]

He is in fact Sir Kermit Lynch, though

[@redfury0385]

@@ROOSEVELTNOX this changes NOTHING. I now imagine Kermit with a monocle.

[@JB-xl2jc]

Sir Kermit, aka Sirmit

[@kamikazehound3243]

Kermit lynch wine on his off days

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

I love that this guy thinks the 58 year old Korean liquor store clerk behind plexiglass is gonna explain to me the grapes used in my wine if I ask him.

[@JointFive]

I think he meant sommeliers at restaurants

[@albuszx]

@@JointFive or specialized wine stores, I like the online ones a lot, some of them have newsletter thingies talking about different grapes and regions, and they're not expensive

[@zocava90]

I thought this too when he said that 😂 I live in Australia and even if I go to “boutique” wine stores they have absolutely no idea about wine and just at look at me confused when I ask questions. I only know what I like in a wine but they can never direct me to anything. It’s the same at restaurants including WINE restaurants.

[@jaleh0811]

Trader Joes and Whole Foods have experts who do their purchasing. They know a lot about their inventory.

[@slapdashzeal6095]

My local package store has people more than willing to talk and explain stuff to me.

[@xney]

I've loved drinking wine for years and gotten others to enjoy it as well. People are turned off by it because when they try to learn about it, other people are jerks. Andre is genuine and informative - perfect for beginners and those who already know something. Thanks for this series!

[@rbiebrich]

I am a wine agent in Canada. Your presentation is sooo down to earth. Producers, especially old wine families would love you., mass marketers less so. Hope Bon Appetit gets you on more often.

[@maxmackenzie6550]

This guy needs to be here weekly. He's fantastic

[@thehomme]

This guy is such a natural communicator and so charismatic and effortless in-front of the camera. I'd love for you do do a wine 101 series with him

[@allenlivera1611]

I would not expect a 22 minute video on wine labels to be so enjoyable. Nice job, Andre.

[@AntonioAndrade]

Morocco is divided into five wine regions. Within these wine regions are a total of 14 areas with Appellation d'Origine Garantie (AOG) status. In 2001, a single Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) was created, Côteaux de l'Atlas 1er cru ("Atlas hills"). In 2009, the first estate with a Château name, Château Roslane, was approved.

[@otisw.8687]

YES. More Mack.

[@infoscholar5221]

You gotta love this guy, all of the knowledge, non of the hipster snobbery. Just plain talk.

[@77Brainfreeze]

The best part of this whole video is when he tries the last bottle and his first though is "This is so good I need to share this with everyone".

[@DjuBarreto]

Please please keep these videos coming. He's so great. I'm actually taking WSET 2 and he just went over 7 weeks of course in 22 min. thank you!

[@numanuma20]

WSET 2 here. So helpful!

[@bigazzasian]

This man needs his own show! He is so inviting! You just want to listen and watch.

[@SandTiger42]

If I had a business where I needed a Sommelier I'd hire this guy so fast. Amazing. YT keeps recommending me his stuff and I can't stop watching it.

[@ElRosco187]

He’s a really cool guy. I had the pleasure of talking to him a few years ago.

[@audieconrad8995]

I spent 40 years in the biz. This guy knows his stuff and suffers no fools - there are lots of them...both in the bottle and the marketing fools pushing it. Cheers to you sir. I'd have a glass or two with you anytime.

[@YamiOni]

Love André. Perfect combination of knowledgeability and approachability with a sense of humor as well. Thanks for the crash course!

[@AskMiko]

Finally! We love seeing him, please feature him more often!

[@elizabethhowe2110]

This guy is magic. I've been thru the CA wine country a few times, and thought I knew how to read the back of a bottle.. It's great to find someone who knows so much, yet admits he still needs to actually taste the wine to know for sure. I'm definitely a fan & await more of his videos.

[@KelsaurusRex]

Thanks for having a whole playlist of videos with Andre! Maybe you can do an "intro to wine 101" type of video with some explanation of what the basic flavors are for each varietal, maybe a 2nd video for how regions affect that base profile. Hearing him say "this is definitely what I expected a ___ to taste like" made me want to know too!

[@jessicamycoskie]

Too bad no one looked up the tussock jumper definition before filming. Tussock: “a small area of grass that is thicker or longer than the grass growing around it.” Jumper: British slang for sweater Clever play on words & imagery. Perhaps Andre would have liked it a bit more if he’d known!?

[@BMC99]

Came to the comments to see if anyone pointed this out. Also it's a California wine, and that label is basically the state flag. White flag with a CA Brown bear and strip of red (the jumper the bear is wearing).

[@qbtv]

Yep because on the 3rd line it says Ukiah, CA which is *drumroll* south of the Redwood Valley.

[@martinasandoval5326]

I also noticed that, great explanation

[@beeveearr]

Also tussock isn't pronounced like Tuscon - it's more like truss without the r and ick.

[@cechernandez]

So glad he is back!!!! We need more...I love all of this content.

[@michaeltouch8882]

I've looked for wines using all the info he gives us in this video and I can personally tell you that it is definitely true the more specific info the better the wine! Found one pinpointed to the cask number and it was sooo good! Thanks Andre!

[@patrickdgarez86]

I have learned more in 5 videos of this gentlemen, then I have watching countless videos (in passing). More importantly, it is extremely engaging and chill. Thank you. I never paid attention to the rear label or understood the critical information (or lack thereof) contained within.

[@woodypaul_]

I love this series too much. He's so approachably educational.

[@Plumpy4]

I highly recommend reading Kermit Lynch's "Adventure on the wine routes", in which he discovers wines in France. It is witty, easy to read and packed with interesting stories. Even if you are only remotely interested in wine. The guy is a legend.

[@klieu90210]

I got that book as a present when I was 10. Totally agree - loved it.

[@rushhourmom2104]

I just LOVE these videos, your expertise and recommendations!!

[@LuluJinx1111]

If Andre had other videos like this one , I would absolutely ENJOY learning more about wine!

[@jvb568]

More of this please !

[@JustineEllushon]

Yes when I worked as a food server we had a sommelier come in. We tasted white wines without any label and only slightly chilled. It's amazing how different your senses experience the wine without the contamination of seeing the label or associating with a name.

[@Nonakame]

“Wine people love to talk” …no truer words have ever been spoken! Love these videos, really good base education. I recommend them to my clients and friends that are interested in learning more about wine. I’ve been in the wine business for 35 years and believe you never stop learning (and talking about wine!). Cheers!

[@piperofsimms]

That was fun. Really enjoyed it. Thank you

[@charmer6611]

More of him! He’s amazing

[@kevinpenfold1116]

Bottle: tells you what to pair it with Andre: “I’m confused”

[@tperkins17]

cause if you are like him and know wine, it makes no sense. it's a label for people who don't know what they're buying. it's trying to be informative but ends up giving you no real help

[@PSAGrader]

I really enjoy these videos. So helpful and fun to watch. Keep making these!

[@GarnettLee]

André, you are a fantastic host! Great speaking pace. And great explanations. Awesome video. thanks

[@xicandi63x]

I LOVED this!! I love drinking red wine, but don't know much. I learned a lot through this video and I can sound like I actually know what I'm talking about or looking for. Thank you!

[@moonraccoon9024]

That was so nice! I love wine , I'll start looking about the importer more ! Thanks for the trick !

[@HonJazzz]

Thanks for dropping information that I didn’t even know that I needed.

[@nowinter7355]

My Family used to grow grapes and make wine, I worked in a wine shop for a few years, and my Father to this day frowns upon cheap wine. But the only valuable advice that I received was at a wine tasting a few years ago. the question was, when is it a good wine, and the plain and simple answer was, when it tastes good to YOU. That day I found out that I really prefer rather inexpensive, very simple wines, which are not considered high class. Made my life so much better, wish I had found this simple rule a lot earlier in life. Don't pretend with all the fancy this and that, just let your own personal taste be the judge, ignore those who tell you that you have bad taste.

[@4nn13h7]

Please keep bringing André back. I’d watch him weekly. His insights are so good, and he makes wine so accessible in such a practical and pleasing way. 💯

[@user-fh1ht4cj4r]

I sparked new interests in wanting to try new wines but had no clue where to start! You knocked this video out of the ballpark! I appreciate you for sharing your knowledge and giving your honest feedback on the wines you selected in this video. Thank you!

[@rebeccabrunk5400]

Really helpful info and I love how you present it all!

[@allief2614]

I love this man!

[@alextemple1565]

This was cool. I'd love to see another one where you grade the label, do a blind tasting, and match the wine to the label.

[@rangie3294]

Then you'd see it's all nonsense.

[@Kiamber_]

Need more of these. André is so entertaining!

[@thesnackattack2676]

I'm doing my Advanced Somm training with CMS and its more grilling than when I actually studied Winemaking at university. No one takes it as seriously as my degree because it doesn't have a BScAgri attached to it. I still love it more and I love educating people who are regular consumers or just starting out on their professional wine journeys.

[@thenathanimal2909]

I enjoyed winemaking way more than the somm side of the industry, it was too much puffery and mundane history.

[@anthonyglukhov7230]

I am deeply impressed by Hipster LL Cool J's extensive knowledge of wine.

[@WineWorldTV]

Great stuff André. I reviewed that Syrocco a while back. Loved it.

[@andrewpeterson5882]

Said it before and I'll say it again - Andre is the BEST guest on this channel and my favorite wine personality right now. More more more!

[@mariafernandez5221]

Andre and Saul montiel make me soooo happy

[@thewalrusaurus]

This guy's awesome. Best thing on BA since the exodus.

[@hasdrubalsosamarquez5430]

This is a great series. Andre Mack is the perfect person to explain the science behind Wine 🍷

[@rtroyer8963]

Very fun & educational video! Cheers!

[@mattbrown9841]

I'm a casual wine drinker, but I really appreciate this guy's expertise, willingness to educate and style. Any master of their craft deserves respect.

[@thromboid]

It's interesting how individual our responses are to brand styling - I found the Tussock Jumper label by far the most aesthetically appealing of the "modern" packaging, right down to the size and placement of the (pleasantly uncluttered) label, the rounded corners of the labels, and the red foil. I even liked the graphical guide to flavours, serving temperature, and accompaniments. I don't really get the faux-handmade labels. The Vichingo I'd have taken for some kind of cheap swill for youngsters! Great to see how an expert approaches things.

[@Thermalions]

I guess Vichingo are working on the principle of any marketing is good marketing, when they name their wine Violet Swill, sorry, Violet Swell. I'm sure it's only my brain that goes first to swill rather than thinking ocean swells when you're talking about wine.

[@mthees08]

I usually just pick the wine based on the story on the back of the bottle. It works alright since mostly the people who put those stories there are the ones who want you to now their vineyard so they at least are trying.

[@rppvt]

This guy is great! I love how his reviews opened up as he kept tasting.........

[@jameslopez958]

Second time watching Andre's Mack video! Thanks for sharing this information Brother 😎✌️😁

[@onlyonethingisneedful]

Very pleasant to watch, non-pretentious and someone I'd love to have a glass of wine with! Thank you for educating me!!

[@stathamspeacoat]

This guy is literally the only reason I'm subscribed to this channel anymore

[@TheAlpineHomesteadAdirondacks]

ALWAYS LEARNING ALWAYS ENJOYING APPRECIATE YOUR SHOW ANDRE!

[@FrReifersheid]

Did I know everything talked about in the video? Yes. Still watched to the end. Very nice video and a humble guest

[@bryanphoward]

Great content. Price at the end would have made this an A+.

[@i.f.5566]

I really loved the stickers for Tussock Jumper, especially the little pictograms that told what to drink it with and what flavors were inside. That’s my opinion as someone who doesn’t like wine 😄

[@KPA78]

those stickers are absolutely intended for the wine novice. Smart move by the marketing dept.

[@loopswell1385]

We need more of these videos, great content!

[@palco22]

Great presentation. I agree totally with your assessments of these wines. After 50 years we tend to focus only on the wines that truly enhances the taste of your meal. Then we have what I call the drinking wine. That's the one wine you enjoy for it's ability to make great conversation between meals. Really enjoyed the video.

[@simonbarrett5624]

Love this guy, more of him. Came here to say I wish he'd tasted them blind after seeing all the labels, turns out I'm not the first.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Thank you, this helped me a lot on how to choose a wine when there's so many choices out there and I feel lost.

[@talkwithtiffanychannel]

Love the honesty in these videos!

[@FishmacFLTRU]

Your videos are fantastic. Thank you!

[@jeremiahbachmann3901]

I would really like to see more of Sommelier Andre Mack, please!!!

[@agorham4674]

Bravo on the simple, unaffected way of explaining wine

[@kurtlwrr]

great video, more with André Mack soon please!

[@christopherharper9818]

Very informative, clear and applicable. Thank you 👍🏾❤️💛💚

[@stay_moist]

Every video with this guy is so freaking good and I learn so much even though I'm not a wine drinker

[@gordonhamnett1289]

Really well done!!!! Love your ability to translate very effectively with zero snobbery!!! I will be more open to try stuff with funkier labels going forward- still carefully. Thank you!!

[@Celeste-wx8ce]

We need more of these videos. Please.

[@alanadawn1755]

Love this! Learned a lot! About to binge watch! 😂

[@CraigMCox]

“Let’s start with New World wines.” Spain.

[@katzabar]

Noticed that too. I’m guessing maybe he saw the Spanish and thought Mexico.

[@FelipeZavan]

@@katzabar Chile or Argentina more likely.

[@Dawnbandit1]

He's talking about the label style, not the wine origin.

[@kahhofong935]

@@Dawnbandit1 I think he messed up. If not he would put the Spain bottle under "hybrid"

[@given2dream]

He’s not talking about Europe vs the Americas. It’s more “old school” vs “new school”, but world is the terminology the wine community uses.

[@salemengineer2130]

I am not a wine drinker and tend to think all the snobby wine mystique is just marketing mumbo jumbo... But Mr. Mack's explanation of how to read and evaluate the labels is very helpful. I would have found it helpful to know the retail prices for each of those wines.

[@suginami123]

Great and very thorough class. Excellent

[@bradcsuka5054]

Fantastic. Casual but substantive presentation. I could listen to him speak about wines for hours.

[@EastsideBodega_]

This is easily the best content you guys have had since the Dark Event

[@kennypcolin]

The binge continues!! Another great video! Andre is now consistently highly entertaining to me. Great find!