Clair Please recommend some of your favorites. I am a box wine drinker and know nothing about good wines.
Originally Posted by tucson
When it comes to selecting wines you like, I would suggest tasting wines. There is no way to buy wine that is more fun, than to taste them. It also works out well, as you go home with things you know you will enjoy!
If you've decided you love wine, a trip to Napa/Sonoma is great fun. I suggest renting a limo. (You are going to get plastered, you cannot drink all day going from winery to winery, and not get toasted.) Every limo driver in Napa/Sonoma will lead you to good choices. Tell them what you are interested in, and they will get you to great places. You can tell them what price ranges you are interested in, and they will steer you to wineries that meet your price range.
Even here in Dallas, there are good choices for wine tasting. Cru Wine Bar offers various "flights" of wine. Basically a small amount of 5-6 different wines. I suggest getting an appetizer or cheese tray, and try the various wines with the cheeses. Downtown Grapevine also offers some places to taste a wide variety of wines.
So, I do highly suggest "tastings" as a great alternative to buying bottles blind. Also, tasting a variety of wines at the same time, helps you to differentiate between varieties, and their different taste profiles more quickly.
Bottom's Up!