Winning WITH WINE

PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL WINE tasting, or trying to match wines with a gourmet meal, can be overwhelming. All too often, sommeliers suggest wines that you've never heard of. Their recommendations could be great advice, but they could also be based on their own personal preferences — or on which selections are most profitable for the house. In any scenario, the best way to make an informed choice for your group is to know the basics, and speak with authority.