RED OR WHITE? BEEF OR FISH? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

There are those who do care, but we're not among 'em. And, you shouldn't be either. Let's just say it is a matter of preferences and tendencies. We prefer a crisp Chardonnay such as Villa Mt. Eden, $13: Gallo of Sonoma, $11 (GREAT!); Chateau Ste. Michelle, $13; Chateau Souverain $18; Meridian, $15; or Rabbit Ridge, $14 when we have crab, Alaskan or Dungeness.

We have a tendency to drink a Cabernet Sauvignon such as Berringer, $17; Fall Creek, $18; Gallo of Sonoma, $11; Fetzer, Barrel select $16; or an Australian Shiraz such as Rosemount with, say, a peppered New York steak or Prime Rib.

We prefer a Cabernet or possibly a Merlot such as Mirassou, Coastal $11; '98 Rabbit Ridge, $11; Gallo of Sonoma, $11 with cheddar cheese but have a tendency to sip a Chenin Blanc like Dry Creek $8; Alexander Valley $10; or Fall Creek, $9 with brie cheese and crisp granny smith apples.

Some of the wine snobs will look down their "attuned" noses at a White Zinfandel and we don't usually drink it but the beauty of this varietal is that it does compliment most foods, so when we do order it, we like '99 Buehler; or possibly Pedroncelli, $7. While we don't tend to drink White Zin, we don't think those who do are "off base," for drinking it, because, we presume, they prefer it and, after all, wine is a beverage and you should like what you drink.

Actually, if you like your wine on the sweet side, with milder foods, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Rose albeit a drier one like '99 Bonny Doon Vin Gris, $10.

We've only covered a few of the varietals out there but you get the point here. Don't be afraid to order anything with anything. You're paying for it and who is to say that, for you, a Cabernet is any better with a cheese Quiche than a Pinot Blanc or even a Riesling. If you like the flavor, then, it's okay for you. Who cares about those ordering the $450 bottles of wine? There's just no way it can be THAT good-or $125 a bottle, or even $75. There are few who can appreciate the nuances that may exist in such a wine and we aren't among 'em.

We'd rather spend $30 on a great wine and the rest on theater tickets, ball game or movie.

If you don't like wine snobs, don't try to be one. Order what you prefer with what else you have a tendency to enjoy.

TASTE CHALLENGED

When I found out that 10% of humans have 60% more taste buds than the other 90%, I was really relieved. These are the folks that taste wine, coffee, beer, cheese, smell perfumes for a living. They can detect the "essence of ripe citrus with an overtone of warm red oak" in wine. We can't. For us, it just tastes great, not so great or lousy. That's pretty much how we'll rate wines too, figuring most of you are part of the same 90% , taste bud deficient group we belong to and are just looking for a nice, well rounded flavor in your wine. (We might mention the label's neat, if appropriate.)

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