With tens of thousands of wines and spirits in the world, only a small number achieve great fame and distribution outside of their region, country or state; but the wonder of it all, is that there are thousands of great wines now available in the U.S. at very good prices waiting to be discovered. Getting there is half the fun.

Beyond the pleasures of taste, mood adjustment and socialization that wine and spirits provide, is the thrill of the hunt and the rewards of self education. The price of tuition is low, you can study at your own pace, and it is a subjective course at which no one will grade you - unless your friends stop accepting your dinner invitations, but shouldn't they be arriving, bottle in hand?

None the less, how do you start? First of all approach the wine world with a spirit of fun. As Abner Doubleday, the inventor of baseball said, "don't take the world serious." Learning about wine and spirits is not that hard and there are some simple principles you can follow in learning the game.

1. Think global but buy local and get same or next day delivery. Most good wine sellers love wines and are happy to share their own discoveries and enthusiams. If he or she makes fun of your pronunciation or tries to sell you something more expensive than you've said you want to spend, head for the door. The wise merchant knows the best customers are those who come back again and again and will try to make recommendations that will build your trust.

2. Focus. Let's say you've enjoyed an Australian Cabernet or Chardonnay, try some others. Have you liked Yellow Tail's Cabernet? Don't be fooled by a copycat Kangaroo for a few dollars less. Try a Lindemann's or Wolf Blass. Then try a few Australian Shiraz or Merlots. Once you've established a taste for one of these varietals, you can move on to the same varietal from another country.

3. Consider the name of the maker or importer. Get in the habit of reading labels. A good name in popular priced Argentinian wines is Trapiche. These wines are imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. Palm Bay Imports brings in many premium and super-premium wines but they have popular price wines as well. When you are planning a barbecue you'll find their 1.50 liter bottles of Citra wines to be exceptional values at less than $10. DFV, the California maker of Gnarly Head also sell 1.50 liter bottles of excellent varietals for less than $10 under the Delicato name.

            It's easy to pick a breakfast cereal, there aren't that many; but when it comes to wines, like dating, there are many pebbles on the beach - and in the romantic pursuit of wines, promiscuity is not only allowed, it is highly recommended.

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The Wine Wiseguy and Spiritual Adviser

www.thewinewiseguy.com

  Guy Stanley