People are always asking me how I know so much about wine.

“Easy,” I reply.

Copious amounts of consumption have allowed me to sort out what is good and what is rubbish. It also helped that I had a real job before coming back for more school.

Here is the good news: don’t be scared to try new things.

At a recent blind tasting at my house, several wine novices walked away with a newfound appreciation and understanding of the nectar of the gods.

My inaugural weekend recommendation comes from the Rhone Valley in France.

The 2003 wines from the Rhone are super ripe, and unlike most French wines which require some time in the bottle before maturing, these are ready to drink now.

For a great buy at a great price, check out the work of vineyard owner Paul Jaboulet Aine and his Parallele “45.”

Pour a glass, inhale deeply, and welcome a stunningly diverse aroma. My olfactory senses were met by strong raspberry and vibrant black-cherry scents.

A single sip will impregnate your palate with an incredibly intense and diverse assortment of flavor. Raspberries, black cherries and a hint of dark chocolate run wild. There is a permeable presence of fruit in your mouth, but not the in-your-face jaminess that has invaded the wine world.

This definitely smelled and tasted like a glass of wine, rather than sweet grape juice.

If the Parallele “45” were a woman, it wouldn’t be the super-hot, knock-out, perfect 10 model who walks into a party and leaves every man gasping with a single glance of her stunning physique.

Rather, it is a mature beauty. One that entices you with an incredible smile, an elegant conversation and features so precise that by the end of the night, to borrow a line from the film “Good Will Hunting,” you are convinced she’s an angel put on earth just for you.

The “45” is a rich, red wine that perfectly complimented my Saturday night dinner consisting of pork chops marinated in blackened seasoning, side pasta shells and mixed veggies. The latter were both slathered in General Tsao’s sauce. A delectable dinner was indeed served.

The year 2003 was a hot and dry vintage, and most Cotes du Rhone from that year can be consumed right now at a great price.

At the blind wine tasting I hosted, I selected a 2003 E. Guigal, another Cotes du Rhone. While it was another super value that is ready to drink, it lacked the passion of Parallele “45.”

If Parallele “45” were a song, it would be the one on your iTunes that you keep playing over and over again.

There is no one-hit wonder talent in this bottle. It pulls at you, without tearing you up or getting on your nerves.

Parallele “45” costs $9.99 in DeKalb, but I’ve seen it go as low as $7.99 at other stores. More than just a fling, this is a deep, smart and beautiful wine.