Taste Life Blog

Am I lucky or what to have National Wine Day land on my birthday! And BONUS… it falls on a Saturday this year too! Here is a roundup of hacks for what you need to know about wine from my favorite peeps my RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) friends.

The Rebel Dietitians

The REBEL Dietitians are a team of 8 compassionate Registered Dietitians in Maryland that provide personalized and effective nutrition recommendations who answer the question, “Is there such a thing as healthy drinking?” There is so much buzz regarding spirits and wine lately but is there such a thing as healthy drinking? The Rebel Dietitians provide you the “need to know facts” with their tips on Healthy Drinking. Thanks Rebel Dietitians! @rebeccabitzerrd

Chef Stephanie Green, RDN

Chef Stephanie loves BBQ cookouts and reminds us it is important to select a wine that accentuates the flavor of your barbeque. Her fav is Inconspicuous a Zinfandel produced in Sonoma County, California which costs less than $20 a bottle. 

Thanks Stephanie! @greenscookery

Caroline Susie RD/ LD

Caroline remembers from the time she was little girl, wine was always on the table being shared with family and friends. So when she was finally 21 she was excited to partake. Her dad took her to Napa for her 21^st birthday and she fondly remembers it as the most special and educational experience. Since then she has fallen in love with wine.

It is hard for her to pick just one but if she had to pick only one, it would be a “BIG bold in your face” Napa Valley Cabernet Calafia. She is also enjoys   Cabernat France and Vin 29’s. Her fav merlots are Pride or Duckhorn.

What does Caroline love most? How wine does brings people together! I agree! Thanks Caroline! @carolinesusieRD

Allison Boyd, RDN, CYT, CDE

Allison who is a certified yoga teacher hosted Yoga in the Vineyard. Afterwards a chef and the winemaker discussed wine and food pairings. A fabulous time was had by all who attended.

Allison’s favorite is Old Vine Zinfandel. She considers herself lucky as she lives next to  Lodi, California “The Zinfandel Capital of the World!”  Her favorite wineries are Watts Winery and Heritage Oak Winery. Thanks Allison! @AllisonLBRD

Joan Trute  MA, RD, CDE 

Joan seconds Allison’s love of Old Vine Zins from Lodi, California.

Joan, the world traveler also adores Primitivo’s from the Pugia region of Italy. She shares that Trader Joe’s has a decent Primitivio.

And Joan recommends you sample Cannonau Sardinia, Italy and Capitel De Roari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Thanks Joan!

Manju Karkare MS RDN LDN CLT FAND

Manju savors red blends like: Elyse, Michael David, and Elizabeth Spencer GPS. Her favorite Syrah is Two Hands.   

Manju reminds us we need the right glass for the right wine. Thanks Manju!  @manjukarkare

Dale Kline, MS, RD, LD

When Dale used to live in Southern Oregon she had 100 wineries within an hour of her home and tasting rooms she could walk to. (Dale’s heaven!!!)

One of her favorite Oregon wines is Willamette Valley Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. They ferment the wine with the whole grape at the beginning of the process, not just the juice. Another one of her favs is Tempranillo, from southern Oregon.  Although not a widely known, it is a great red wine she wants you to try. 

She enjoys doing wine tastings with friends. You select one wine varietal and taste a number of different wineries or you can taste various varietals from the same winery. She also recommends having your guests taste wine, eat cheese or some other food and then drink the wine again and notice the flavor changes.

Dale reminds us to forget about what anyone tells you, if you like a wine, drink it! And it does not have to be expensive to be good. There are a lot of good bottles of wine for $10 to $15 a bottle or less. I agree with Dale! Thanks Dale!  @DklineRD.

Megan Ware, RDN, LD

Megan reminds us that winemakers aren’t required to list their ingredients because alcohol is regulated under a different governmental agency than food. While the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires nutrition and ingredient labels, the Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) does not. She did some undercover nutrition work to help you learn why you may have a hangover the next day. What’s in my Wine. Thanks Megan!  @meganwarerd

Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN

Kelly was recently in Italy and ate at a cute restaurant in Rome and they bought over this giant wine list. She tells us this was ONLY the red list. Wow Kelly!

Her go -to wine is Montepulciano as she loves medium to heavy bodied reds. Recently though, she has been veering towards an Italian sparkling red Lambrusco. She reminds her clients like Megan that if they feel puffy or swollen or have headaches from wine to look for wines with no added sulfites or sulfite free. Thanks Kelly! @eatreallivewell

Laura Chalela Hoover, MPH, RDN

Laura shares that she is lovin’ Naked Wine club. It’s a membership-based site where you can order a huge variety of top-rated wines. As a member, you are essentially helping to directly fund independent winemakers from around the world, in return for wines at wholesale prices. She enjoys receiving emails directly from the winemakers and hearing more about the stories, values and mission. And as a bonus, members get a free bottle of wine every month. What’s not to love? Thanks Laura! @smarteating4kid

Courtney Millen, MNSP, RD, LD

Courtney’s favorite wine is Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon. For a simple and delicious date night with her husband she pairs it with a grass fed beef tenderloin, baked sweet potato, and roasted Brussels sprouts.  It’s a simple and delicious date night meal that she can enjoy from the comfort of her home.

Courtney is expecting a baby so she is swapping wine for seltzer topped with pomegranate seeds in a wine glass.  The sparkles, sweetness, and stemware make it feel like a treat! Thanks Courtney! @palatetheory

Stephanie Brina-Herres, MS, RDN, LDN

For decades, Stephanie and her family enjoyed the almost 10,000 acres of vineyards in the Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York State with 70 different grape varieties. The vintners at each of the many wineries on each of the lakes determine which varieties are best suited to their microclimate and then tailor their offerings of exclusive wine blends accordingly.

She recommends you check out the New York Wine and Culinary Center on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake which features prix fixe menus with wine and food pairings. Be sure to check out Stephanie’s wine tips on

Sensory Perception and Wine Evaluation and Sensory Perception and Wine Pairing with Food

Thank you Stephanie! @nutriserious

Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN

Lauren fav is Pinot Grigio.  Learn about the three types of Pinot Grigio. Lauren says she is not a red wine  lover anymore due to the fact that she drank WAY too much Beaujolais on her post-internship trip across Europe when she spent the night in a Beaujolais winery. Sounds lovely to me Lauren!

So by now, after reading this post, you will want to try and drink every single wine that was recommended. Am I right? Lucky for us, Lauren answers the question, “Can I drink alcohol and still lose weight?” Thanks Lauren! @LaurenPincusRD

Thanks to my special nutrition friends for sharing their favorite wines and wine tips. Wine is all about savoring the wine and your relationships you cherish. You have one life to live, just imagine it was one you loved! Salut!

What are your favorite wines and tips?

Please share below. I would love to hear from you.