Intro to Wine for Everybody

Get 50% OFF your first box of wine at Bright Cellars! 👉 www.brightcellars.com/anders50
Today's video is all about wine! Wine can be intimidating, so I wanted an accessible intro for everybody - you know, the common person! We've all seen videos of people sniffing and saying words that don't make sense. Impressive though that may be, It can also be overwhelming. Anyway, I decided to sit down and have some fun tasting six wines with Az - three white, three red. The wine world is much more expansive than that, but this will be a good starting point. So grab some friends, grab some glasses, and crack open some new bottles of wine. Cheers!
If you're still wanting spirits, check out my collection on Curiada! 👉 bit.ly/spiritsanders
Patreon: / anderserickson
TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
Bright Cellars: 0:55
What is Wine?: 2:21
What is Vintage?: 3:06
What is a Varietal?: 4:10
How Do You Make Wine?: 5:01
How Old is Wine? 6:53
Old World vs New World: 7:12
Tasting: 8:38
Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc: 9:09
Riesling: 10:05
Chardonnay: 10:49
Pinot Noir: 12:03
Sangiovese: 13:42
Cabernet Sauvignon: 14:46
Conclusion: 15:54
HELPFUL BOOKS ON WINE
WINE BIBLE by Karen MacNeil: amzn.to/3uqk4RT
WINE FOLLY by Madeline Puckette: amzn.to/3rpciWK
THE TOOLS
The wineglasses we used: amzn.to/3Lc1L92
Single hinged wine key: amzn.to/39tNMex
Double hinged wine key: amzn.to/3mtKlrS
MY STANDARD BAR SETUP
My workhorse double jigger: amzn.to/3lmmKrK
My go-to large shaking tin: amzn.to/33vnMLJ
My go-to small cheater tin: amzn.to/3qecbe5
Hawthorne strainer: amzn.to/2VBUSWh
Fine mesh strainer: amzn.to/4akT1dn
My favorite mixing glass: amzn.to/2ZhoJbk
Bar spoon: amzn.to/3D02IMQ
Julep strainer: amzn.to/3mymEyA
Rubber bar mat (6"x12"): amzn.to/3h2IJER
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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Anders Erickson
4610 N. Clark St
Suite 1051
Chicago IL, 60640
Co-produced with the lovely Azusa "Az" Inaba 🎥 🎨

[@AndersErickson]

Hope this helps! What's your favorite varietal? 🍷 Bright Cellars (50% OFF) www.brightcellars.com/anders50 🥃 Curiada (for the harder stuff) bit.ly/spiritsanders

[@f2343]

Love your channel Anders! I always enjoy how you educate the average person like myself. I hope in the future you will do a video on Rum and it’s history 🤞🏻

[@mexicansmell]

Châteauneuf-du-Pape! Also known as Shootuhnoofydoopypoopy.

[@janlauderdale9017]

I'd also love a video about rum! I am a wine person, and my current favorite is Earthquake Zinfandel. Mmmmm.... Also, the best Chard I've found is J. Lohr!

[@BuiltInBrooklyn]

I love your channel Anders but not Bright Cellars. Their recommendations are off and their wines are mediocre. Please don’t recommend them as they are not completely transparent! Their customer service? 😬

[@zekemanning5617]

Thank you 😊

[@lazyreuvin]

As someone who regularly trains young waiters in the hospitality industry, this is a concise, fantastically simple and clear explanation. Anders' presentation skills are so natural and entertaining to watch. Definitely going to be sharing this in the future. =)

[@ItsMe-fs4df]

'It smells refreshing, like I want to drink it immediately... Right now...' Subtle as a sledgehammer 🤣

[@mariannakump8857]

I'm really glad you did this intro into wine. So many people are intimidated by it and it's really a shame because there are so many great wines to be had. Some wines can be a bit off putting when you drink them on their own but if you pair it with the right nibbles it can make a big difference. I tend to like big reds but I also love a good white like a Sauvignon Blanc. I have one tip...if you find yourself drinking a wine that you really enjoy, take a photo of the label. That way you can shop for it or at least have an example of something you like to show your wine merchant. Doing that really helped me a lot when I first took a serious interest in wine. CHEERS! 🍷

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Marianna! You bring up two great points. Some wines really benefit from food pairings, and I love your suggestion of taking a picture of the labels! Cheers to you! 🍷

[@prariedoggin]

“That’s something about Sauvignon Blanc, it *isn’t* cat pee.” It’s insight that this which keeps me tuning in every week 😁 Also Az, you do a fantastic job as designated normal person!

[@TDwulf]

Fun fact, one of the common tasting notes of a Sauvignon Blanc is actually 'cat's pee'.

[@BrunoReisVideo]

y'all are just SO fun to watch. the iconic barman and normal person duo I love to take sips with

[@oldcrows21]

13:08 - it’s been 4 days and I keep coming back to this moment of pure comedy gold. Man why is the word poo so funny

[@AndersErickson]

😂

[@CoachVinoLLC]

Great intro to wine Anders! Similar to you, I was a Wine Director for the first 10 years of my career. Transitioned to cocktails over the last five years. Both are fantastic categories and any lover of adults drinks should feel comfortable exploring both. Funny enough, there's a great popular wine podcast called, "Wine for Normal People". Good stuff guys. Cheers! 🍷

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Vino! Thought of you a few times while filming this one. I know you know your way around a wine cellar - whatever that means 😂 I'll check out the podcast. Sounds like my kind of people! 🍷

[@NYCrooner]

I enjoyed your interview with Anders and now your name makes more sense.

[@shayantani81]

Elizabeth Schneider, a certified sommelier is the person behind that fabulous podcast, and she has a GREAT book too

[@ronmetz9172]

I learned that you two are the most hilarious sommeliers I have ever come across. Hints of barnyard, cat pee, this smells like a rock that’s been in the ocean. I’m picking up some funk, ooooh, smells like a forest floor. LMAO!! Great video guys.

[@JohnnyF71]

"Early civilisations left the grapes sitting around for a while, drank it and then either got really sick or had a good time..." More often than not for me, it's been both

[@Urotsukidoji1]

I already know my wine, but I'm watching for you and Az :)

[@DJSixxx]

For those that don't want to commit to 6 bottles, find a local wine shop and explore. The employees will typically ask your (dis)likes, what price point you're wanting and other things, and they'll find the perfect bottle for you. Also, be sure you're serving the wines around the right temperature. I find many times whites are too cold, so the flavors are muted and reds are served too warm, so all you taste is the "alcohol". Whites should typically be around 45-55 (F) and reds around 55-65 (F). Thank you for doing this video, wine shouldn't be intimidating, it should be fun!

[@christoslefkimiotis9889]

I am from Greece and in this part of the world we have been drinking wine for 3,000 years and through the 18th and 19th centuries it was a poor's man choice, as the most rich would buy Cognac, Whiskey etc. Living outside Greece now I must say that we pay very much for rather bad quality wines and especially wines imported from Italy - no offence to the country or its people - but were I live you mainly find bad Italian wines. Regions like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile produce good wines but the Chilean ones are the most worthy to buy if you factor in the price. Try the Retsina if you can and read the story of this wine. Nice video.

[@alfredwigmore7057]

I learned today that Az had the best reaction to Riesling. Clearly a smart woman that knows what she likes and I want to have a glass with both of you. Cheers Anders and Az for doing this, as a cocktail bartender it’s nice to just have a refresher course. As always, great work.

[@AdamBittner]

I'm a winemaker (not a normal person) and I was pleasantly surprised the information was pretty much all correct. Cheers!

[@bobmanhunter]

They said that Cabernet was sweeter than expected. That’s probably because it’s from Paso Robles, which is one of the southernmost wine regions in California. That means it’s hotter. That heat often brings out sweeter, fruitier flavors in the wine. This is fun to know because it means there’s so much info out there about wine, but you by no means need to know it all to experience it’s complexity. Just literally smell it taste it, and think about that experience, how it makes you feel and what you notice.

[@diamondflaw]

My grandmother made a dandelion wine that I loved. She lived i. The Columbia River Gorge, so I’m always nostalgic towards wine from there.

[@capeofgoodwine447]

Awww, you made this so fun. It's not often that wine is portrayed in a fun and friendly way. You did a brilliant job and made me want to drink (more) wine.

[@mattvolby9857]

In ancient Greece they drank wine as medicine in some instances, believing that in moderation it helps with digestive issues and fevers. You and Az are very cute. Keep up the great videos!

[@christianreyes9386]

More both of you on camera!!! Really like the energy you both give off - very cute!

[@jeemoon1626]

That roses call was mind blowing. You guys nailed it.

[@octo_contra]

love the tasting/comparison videos anders, keep it up! I've been drinking a lot more wine in recent months and it's lots of fun to search for weird off the wall bottles

[@TheCluelessBartender]

Very nice! I've been waiting for a wine episode from you ☺️

[@scottireed2093]

Loved the video!! Will be sharing this with a few of the juniors at work

[@myrnapedersen1999]

Loved it. Very good time.

[@davidf3974]

Love your channel anders, for being relatively new its got amazing quality, content and editing. Keep the fun stuff coming brother

[@nanciumphres9001]

Loved this! I like how you play off each other ; so good to see you this side of the camera Az! I’ve never been to a wine tasting; this episode made me very curious and gave me some ideas what to look for. Thanks!!

[@Josxou]

Love your videos! A friend made me a wine mixed drink this past year called a Calimocho (wine and coke). Very interesting and perhaps a good way to use up a bottle of wine quickly!

[@TheSpiritoftheCocktail]

ANDERS and AZ!!! I will NOT whine about not knowing about wines!!! This was very informative and comprehensive!!! I actually learned something today, HOORAY!!!! CHEERS!!!!

[@josephlaw6589]

Nice change guys as I do love wine! And its always a good video when you're both on too. Keep it up, but don't forget the cocktails!

[@Sis78400]

This was a fun one! I’ve been a wine drinker for many years, toured vineyards and wineries, attended tastings, etc. but always had a hard time remembering all those intimidating details until THIS video came along. Thanks to you and Az for making this video simple, informative and, most importantly, entertaining! The visuals are very helpful. Who knew yeast pooped alcohol???!!!

[@markbrown7981]

What a great video! I don't know how long you spent polishing glasses, but the lighting on the glasses and your faces was spectacular! The wine talk was cool too 😎

[@timcox9650]

I could probably sit and watch you talk about anything. Very enjoyable! Maybe a future episode on what foods taste good with the wines, as most wine is consumed with food. Cheers!

[@an_evening_star_rose5991]

I actually got my first brightcellars box in December and received the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese that you tried here. More excited than ever to crack those open!

[@alecmcintyre7245]

Such a helpful channel. In just days you've made my bartending experience smoother and more fun

[@michaelstevens1027]

I so enjoy your interaction with each other.

[@AndrewChinco]

That was fun! More of this.

[@maddys3955]

Soooo great thank you 😊.

[@lennartkarrman2009]

Thank you for a fun episode. Love your show. ❤️ I’m not surprised you liked the Riesling. Riesling of the sweeter kind is very drinkable on its own. Things get more complicated if you make a food pairing. The vine you find most difficult on its own can be the best with the right food.

[@randyeby8323]

This works out great for me because I’ve been trying to get into wine over the last few months and find it pretty daunting. Also, have you considered doing q&a episodes? I know I would love to pick your brain a little bit about questions that might not normally come up in the course of one of your standard eps and I’m sure other do too! Would love to see that kind of content if you have any interest in making it! Cheers Anders!

[@K1P9M6I9]

love this longer form

[@Trudelleable]

This was awesome! I’m from the Napa valley and I’m not a huge fan of wine. I love classic cocktails and am obsessed with your channel! Your channel is actually where I started my home bar hobby. This particular video had me laughing so much I enjoyed the crap out of it haha back home the “wine snobbery” is such a real thing, and I suppose that’s why I never leaned into it. Now I am considering picking up a few bottles to have fun with it. Thank you both 🙏🏼❤️🥂

[@stefansunder7680]

Great video you guys! The little drawings and animations are lovely. Cheers

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Stefan! 🍷

[@yourhuckleberry7480]

Catching up on some of your previous vids. Love this style of tasting video with the both of you. Much like the Mezcal one. Would love to know your rankings or favorites as well when you do these tastings. Keep up the great work! Cheers!

[@PeterTarkulich]

This was so appropriate - my wife and I just sat down with a glass of wine each (we haven't had wine in forever), and this popped up! I actually got my start in wine many moons ago before branching off into beer and whiskey. Loved hearing both of your tasting notes! (Also, being from New York state and having lived in California, and having sampled both regions' chardonnays, I find New York chardonnays to be much better.)

[@libor1990]

Loved the video! One thing I'd like to add to anyone beginning drinking and getting into wine. I am by no means close to knowing a lot about wine, roughly a year I started working at Spanish Fine-dining restaurant in Australia and one thing that really surprised me (as the place specialises in wine and I had basically zero wine knowledge prior to working there) was that many people tend to focus on the varietal as describing the style of the wine, which is in most cases very very wrong. As you pointed out Pinot from France and Pinot from Oregon, are two completely different wines, but more so the process of wine-making can change the end result of the grape so much, and I see it everyday with our Spanish wines, e.g. bobal grapes can be made from the same winery into quite easy-drinking "pinot" style wine or can be made into more like a "merlot" style wine. So what we've been told, when a customer asks for a "Chardonnay" or "Sauvignon blanc" to counter question them about what specific style of wine they are after and it really changes the whole understanding of drinking, to me at least. So next time, when you try to order a wine talk about the wine properties rather than just a grape to get more of what you're after.

[@scottireed2093]

Thanks for sharing!

[@LarsvDijk]

Please more of this

[@carolinefiller3745]

Totally enjoyed this video

[@jasonjames-eyers6207]

Brilliant as ever and you two just never cease to make me smile. Thank you.

[@taylorrobert9495]

This video was super helpful 😊

[@Winefolly]

Wow!!! You must own the Wine Folly book!!!! This sounds like the first chapter to the tee. LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing the dogma about this amazing beverage :)

[@AndersErickson]

Hi there! I do, along with a couple others, though yours and the Wine Bible are the ones I chose to link in my description. What a great book! Cheers 😊🥂

[@mig.vidales]

I loved this video!!! I'm so into wine since I spent a couple of years at Chile and is a heavy industry there. I'm buying two bottles of wine monthly here in Venezuela and to drink them as open minded as possible to get the smells and flavors (and try to find a go to bottle 🤭) Love you both! Cheers! ❤️

[@georginaferenz6083]

I would love the last wine. I like a dark, heavy red wine. Pinot noir just tastes like sour water to me. Great informative and fun video!

[@MrWhangdoodles]

That was a nice little overview on wine! Thanks Anders!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Joonha! It's always fun tasting wines!

[@nealwriter]

Okay, you two drank a helluva lot of wine, and it shows. Love it!!!!

[@parkinglot2642]

YES NU HI HI e filled with charbroiled, fantastically charged dopeness, and even in the peace you find yourself in. Anders and Az you deserve it.

[@AuntieEm]

Fun episode! One of my favorite bars I've been to had a wine bar on the first floor and a cocktail bar on the second, so it was a fun place to get a glass and then a drink. All booze can be good! I have some apple wine that I've been saving for a cold winter night - humans love fermented fruit

[@FiZ]

Watching both of you tasting reminds me of when I took my diploma course, and it was delightful

[@rustynaild4247]

Great show. 🍷🍷

[@joakimwaalermadsen2383]

Hi Anders! Love your videos, they are so informative and helps me develope, as a bartender! Good you consider doing a video about Gin Tonics, since there are so many different types of gins, tonics and aromatic contributers to further complex the taste and experience in a Gin Tonic. Love from Denmark. Cheers.

[@UnclePete]

Always so informative! Another good vid.

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Uncle Pete! Thanks!

[@timlarsen8198]

Thanks for sharing your tasting! Super deal with Bright Cellars!

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Tim! Tastings are always a fun time. Hope you're having a great Friday - Cheers!

[@jamiewelsh7838]

Looking forward to this one

[@daltondassler4916]

Love your videos! Keep them coming

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Dalton! Cheers!

[@vanmaisterz]

That was an awesome video!

[@miguelanaya9603]

Who edits these videos? My God the quality of the videos are sooooo well put together!!! For the record I don’t even like 🍷 since I can’t put ice in it and still managed to watch it all the way through! 😂

[@michaelhealy1590]

Education is a good thing! Thank you Anders

[@Cullyify]

Love your channel and your knowledge. Just tried Campari for the first time and I’ve heard of a cocktail called The Jungle Bird. Would love to watch a video on it!

[@annbraziel8678]

You two are a hoot!

[@ItsChrisFtw]

Anders, your girlfriend reminds me of Joanna Gaines. Also, wine is my favorite. Syrah is my favorite grape varietal. One of my good friends is an Advanced level Sommelier (one below Master). Even as a certified Advanced, his depth of wine knowledge is unbelievable. You could name any vintage and he could talk about the good wines, the bad wines, the regions, the quality of soil and its impacts on those regions during that vintage. Needless to say, anytime I need a rec. on a bottle, especially when it comes to food pairing, he's got me. And thanks to him I'll get to enjoy some really, really good wines. Anybody that enjoys wine needs to go find a Sommelier and befriend them immediately. Great video, happy drinking!

[@MichaDrwal]

Hope it does not come across crude or anything, but you - AZ and Anders, are our great drinking buddies. We are happy to watch a "vintage" video (or two) before going to bed and are up to date with all new stuff. We are very happy for the channel. Wish you all the best. Na zdrowie!

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much, Michal! Cheers!

[@valentinavaly490]

Wonderful video as always! Happy you talked about wines since I live in the northen part of Italy and we have wineyards and cellars everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE :-) I just started a tasting course about wines, next time I won't smell anything I'm going to try with "release the Kraken" :-)

[@darioassis9158]

Great video! I loved every part of it, you both are so fun to watch. Came back to edit my comment, it's so fun to watch Az because she is very expressive and wether she likes it or not it's VERY VISIBLE hahahahahahha

[@mdh1961]

I worked a wine tasting room and brew pub for 8 years up until the pandemic hit. I once used the tasting note “hamster cage” with a completely straight face. 🍷🍷🍷

[@shelbyteach361]

Really enjoyed this video! My parents and some friends are more into wine than I am, but I'd like to have something to add to a wine conversation. Definitely considering this as a way to learn and explore more wines that I wouldn't necessarily pickup on my own at a store. Cheers!

[@kriskemp4952]

You guys are great. I don’t drink but I love this channel.

[@C_Har]

Love your channel-I searched through your content and couldn't find much about Amaretto-I'd like to learn more about it.

[@saltylettuce7541]

And knowledge is powerful!

[@terrymiller111]

Fuck it. I am cracking open my last red in the house (my last bottle of wine period!) because of this. Sip and watch.

[@fro3yo]

Just made myself a Manhattan with your video and now this new video is there for me to enjoy with my drink, love it :)

[@AndersErickson]

Perfect timing! Enjoy them both - Cheers!

[@jackylam1496]

Love this video! Can you please make one for Whisky, and other liquors also?

[@kamahhl]

Super liked this!!! I really like seeing a normal person tasting stuff haha

[@gyangearon8729]

you guys are so funny. I enjoy your shows.

[@luigiadler]

I needed this video and didn’t even knew

[@An-Islander]

That's what's beautiful about wine: most of the descriptions you gave them are only generally accurate, whereas in the details, I could argue against your associations just because I might have experience with the same varietal but from a different vintage and a different location (this coming from a butthurt Chardonnay superfan). Also, pretty cool to say Sangiovese looks a bit bloody red, the name of the grape literally means "blood of Jupiter".

[@oldcrows21]

Man I could not stop laughing when Az was trying to think of what you should say instead of “poop” and you said with the most confidence “poo!”. Another great video, I don’t usually like wine but this makes me want to try more! Can’t wait to tune in again next week :)

[@Tom67X]

Boy I feel so much better about my own wine status after watching this- y'all act just like me in that I want to like wines more, but I'm not worried about being some expert. I just enjoy it now and then- especially a big bold cab...perhaps that's from the Bourbon lover in me? I have a hard time opening a white...I think I need a wine buddy to nudge me now and then. But yeah- no need for drama or pressure- it's just wine- and it's meant for enjoyment!

[@UMMACKAY]

I watched a bon appetit video with a sommelier and they said the year listed on the bottle is the year it was bottled, not the year the wine was made. just thought i'd share. love the videos anders!

[@WhyTom]

I've never really been into wine, but maybe I just haven't found the right one for me. Thanks for this, I think I'll give it a shot!

[@ChappysTikiBar]

wondrous 😎

[@chrispalmer2353]

Great idea I can see how it could be intimidating, never had that as I was introduced at an early age by my parents but I can get that from other people, but it was a very fun video. Love your videos more please ☺️ Also I found some Lillet Rouge really cheap but I don’t think I can drink an entire bottle in a 2-3 months can it be used in different whiskey cocktails? 🤔

[@elduderino672]

Great video. Wine is a great subject and I'm happyto see this video. Have to say I'm jealous of some of the US wines. They're so expensive in the UK for decent versions. Riesling wines are amazing! But Picpoul and Torrontes for white wine and Carmanere and Pinot Noir for red.

[@pascalbegin8783]

Hi Anders, and your spouse, very cool video, you might remember I've made a comment concerning the pronunciation of the word "coupe" from the french language. Just for the fun of it, when you say Sauvignon Blanc you must not pronounce the "c" at the end of the word. Pretend it's not there. So "sauvignon" very good. and "blan" (no "C" ). Myself I'm more a wine drinker than a cocktail drinker. I found it funny when you mention you'd like the taste of the french Chardonnay compare to the USA Chardonnay. The USA product is a lot more of a raw taste with a lot of "wood" in it. It's my favorite but I know it's not the case for most of the wine enthusiast. Also the Cabernet sauvignon in California contains a lot more residual sugar. Personally I like it but of course the preference differ from one drinker than an other. Thank you once again for you video. and have a nice weekend.

[@sethjohnson2287]

I'm kind of glad this is a wine video, because I already made my liquor store run. I was worried you would post a cocktail video, I was going to HAVE to try it, I was missing something, and I would have to go back to the store lol. It's too cold to make two trips today!

[@jay93tee]

I never knew what to look for in a wine, but I love this!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, Jessica! 🍷

[@derekbutcher3917]

Great job on this video, and nice pronunciation on “Willamette”! You must have spent some time in Oregon.

[@Violet-fj3lr]

This was a fun one to watch, I'd love to see a follow up with fortified wines. Even people who are into wine never seem to talk about them, but they've become my favorite category after pushing myself to branch out and try different styles. I'd like to learn more and see what's still out there I haven't had yet.

[@nicksowards7772]

I'd love to see that tackled as well. The aromatized & fortified wine, vermouth, and aperitif/digestif/vo definitions were kind of a pain to learn about. And they're delicious, would love to see their takes and suggestions. Bonal is a favorite of ours if you haven't tried it; what's yours?

[@Violet-fj3lr]

@@nicksowards7772 I tried Bonal for the first time last summer and loved it! My current favorite is Madeira.

[@ericliddle7556]

A fireplace after you've had a fire 😂😂 Great video, nice change up from the norm. Also appreciate the background and how informative they are!

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks, Eric! Cheers!

[@Bene_Gross]

That was fun 😂👌🏻

[@MixingUpTiki]

It's great how wine tasting is much like bourbon or rum. Awesome video as always.