The more wineries, wine writers, and retailers try to explain, the more muddled the information can become. At times writers get caught up in the process, descriptions and recommendations of wines and sound like the wine snobs they try not to become.

One antidote to such behavior is a healthy dose of a new wine magazine called Wine X.

Published in the heart of the California wine country, Wine X was created by and is aimed at Generation X readers and others who think the current trends in wine are stuffy. Issues include celebrity interviews over a glass or two of wine (wine descriptions included), wine country travels, recipes and wine pairing ideas, off-the-wall wine descriptions and ratings and more.

Regular features are Horoscope: Wines of the Zodiac, X-rated Wines (wines receive one to three Xs to reflect the tasting panels' opinion), Head Space (interviews with an attitude), Surreal Gourmet, Flick Picks (video reviews), Sex, Wine and Rock 'n' Roll (music reviews), and Trippin' Out (a travel guide through various wine regions).

Wine X Editor and Publisher Darryl Roberts is the leader of this fun and irreverent romp through (and stomp over) the confusing world of wine. He is joined by a new generation of wine writers and California winemakers who are out to share the fun of wine with others closer to their own age, rather than that of their parents' generation.

The magazine is funny and obviously written to invoke humor, demystify wines and loosen the tight, formal, expensive image wine holds in our country.

X-Rated Wine reviews compare wines to current television celebrities, politicians and cars. The 1997 Amity Pinot Blanc is described as "Like Calista Flockhart - crisp, warm and spicy, but we're concerned because it seems a little thin. XX with food." A Geyser Peak 1995 Reserve Cabernet was described as "Like John Wayne in 'True Grit' - big, intense and a bit dusty. One rifle shot away from XXX." The Echelon 1997 Pinot Noir is "Like sucking a cherry root beer float through a wooden straw." These are not descriptions you're likely to see in the more serious Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate, but from tasting some of the reviewed wines, they're pretty accurate.

A recent Wine X horoscope reading said: "Capricorn - This sign has a great respect for time. They appreciate wine that can age or will cellar gracefully. They're great investors, so they'd love something that may become valuable over time, even if it's just a single bottle. On a more lavish note, vintage Port or Champagne is a great gift idea because they can enjoy them now or later. Maybe even a Vac-U-Vin or case of Private Reserve Wine Preserver to save the wines they've opened."

The magazine still has some technical kinks to work out, but it's content is right on for wine-lovers who are trying to cut through the confusing lingo and glamour and find a good bottle of wine. Wine X Magazine is published bimonthly by X Publishing Inc. Subscriptions are $21 a year. For more information, call (866) 545-0992 or look on-line at http://www.winexmagazine.com.

Happy reading and cheers!