Wine can be a bit daunting. Even Eddie McDougall, host of the new TLC show The Flying Winemaker, agrees. “I think that first and foremost, you know, wine labels themselves are intimidating,” he tells FN. “I mean, most people from this part of the world and in Asia don't read French, don't speak French, can't read Spanish or understand Spanish or Italian or German or whatever, and are restricted to their native language or English. So first and foremost, even just making a decision when you walk into a supermarket, knowing what you’re buying is very difficult because you can't even read the label.”

Still, the charismatic master winemaker who credits his Australian and Chinese roots for his broad understanding of how food and beverages are consumed in both cultures says this shouldn’t deter you from exploring what you like. “Every bottle has a story. Every bottle has a different location. Every bottle takes me on a different journey to meet somebody new or to share a meal with someone different or interesting,” says Eddie.

Want to host your own wine-tasting sesh at home? Click through the gallery for more tips.

The Flying Winemaker will be premiering on Monday, September 15, at 9:30 p.m. exclusively on TLC.

(Photo by Karim Moulkalled via Flickr Creative Commons)