Working in the wine world for many years I have been exposed to insufferable bores (and boors) whose lack of humor and love of exclusivity even make me content to put aside the Chateaneuf-du-Pape and crack open a tallboy of High Life. After meeting Josh and Doug, the near-decade long drinking buddies behind WINO magazine (which is free), I am convinced that wine and its consumption can be approachable, fun, and sometimes a little dumb. Just like beer.

So how did Josh and Doug come up with the name? Well they were having a smoke, half-drunk, and decided, “Let’s call it WINO.” They thought the name irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, and it certainly breaks the ice among the wine-phobic.

Probably my favorite feature of the magazine is a column called “Cheapskate” where a round table spares no feelings as they sample the Washington wines that have a stronghold on the bottom shelf at your local grocery store. The results range from the predictably awful to the shockingly gulpable.

Since these guys have visited so many wineries and tasted so many wines, here is their advice and recommendations:

On the intimidation factor when visiting tasting rooms:
Ask questions! People love to answer questions.

Up-and-coming wine regions:
Chelan. It will be one of the premier destinations for wine in the next five years, and the wines are produced with all estate (that is, on-site) fruit.

Cheapskate Wine Picks:
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet
Hollywood Hill Rosé
Airfield Estate Rosé
Foot Stomp Rosé
(These guys like their dry rosé!)

Nonprofit They Would Like You to Know About
Make the Dash Count Foundation

Where You Can Get Wino
Click here for locations

Have you seen WINO? What do you think?