1. Try new things - don't get stuck on just one region or varietal.

2. Drink what you like - read reviews, books, articles, etc. - there are lots of opinions out there that have the potential to shape your taste - read, understand as much as you care to and then drink what YOU like. If you agreed (or disagreed) strongly with someone's opinion, then the next time they comment on a wine, you'll have a better understanding of whether you might like it too.

3. There are lots of things that make up a good wine: varietal, region, winemaker, vineyard, vintage (weather, etc.) - you may read about a particular wine that sounds interesting, or you may have tried a wine that you really like, but when you go to your wine store you can't find it. What to do? Look for common traits - e.g.,

- If you read that a winery made a great Cabernet from Rutherford in CA in 2001 and you can't find it, but you see a Merlot from the same winery, from Rutherford in 2001 - try it. The fact is, good winemakers make good wine.- If you read that a winery made a great Pinot from Gary's Vineyard in CA in 2001 and you can't find it, but you see a 2001 Pinot from Gary's Vineyard from a different winemaker and 2001 was a great vintage for Pinot in CA - try it. Great fruit is great fruit and great vintages are great vintages.