From Georgetown: the Book That's Turning the Wine World on its Head…

To Charlie Adler, the average wine education is not only boring, it's not useful. Adler, Georgetown resident and wine expert (but don't call him that, please) is starting a revolution in wine tasting and enjoyment, with a packed schedule of events and a new book: “I Drink on the

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Job: A Refreshing Perspective on Wine.”

The book -- and Adler himself -- are part story, part education and full of anecdotes from twelve years teaching over 16,000 people the basics of wine. “I Drink on the Job” is based on Adler's highly rated wine class “Wine Basics 101.″

Rather than write a book that covers every detail of wine, Adler focuses on real questions from people attending his classes. His conclusion is simple: wine is meant to be enjoyed with food. Pop the cork, screw the screwtop, even -- get ready -- drizzle the bag-in-the-box wine. In short, wine should be an everyday pleasure served with meals, Adler says.

But wine can't be enjoyed in a book. So the native Washingtonian is taking his show on the road, in the form of wine tastings all across the region. "I'm a hired gun for wine," he says. Adler does not encourage drinking and shooting simultaneously, it should be said.

After twelve years and over 1,000 wine tastings, 200 cooking classes and a myriad of food and wine events, Adler knows of what he speaks. Each chapter shines new light on what it’s like to be a wine professional in Washington. Whether it’s a wine tasting at a foreign embassy, a unique ethnic cooking class in Little Ethiopia or a wine making class in Virginia’s wine country, Adler shares his passion for wine and food with a wide range of people.

In a down economy, Adler's proselytizing could boost restaurant wine sales. He is also offering easily accessible entertainment -- offering himself for wine events in homes, stores and restaurants. In Adler's world, there's a big market out there. "A meal without wine? That's breakfast," he says.

Visit I Drink on the Job.