You can afford great wines from all over the world and from your own backyard. Play, explore, learn your palate. Then maybe even expand it. My aim as a wine educator and consultant is to act as your humble and enthusiastic guide.

Many consumers new to wine get discouraged trying to make sense of brand names, the buzz about cult wines, all those 100-point ratings, and trying to simply read a wine label. Overwhelmed, these individuals stick to buying Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine.

Exploring the world of wine need not be a chore. I think of it as a way to tour the world from the comfort of your own home. The real adventure begins with leaving the names everyone knows behind.