Wine appreciation doesn't happen all at once. It takes time and is something that you must learn. As time goes on, you will develop a taste for certain wines that you will prefer over others. The first rule of wine selection is DRINK WHAT YOU LIKE. It doesn't matter how expensive the wine is, if you don't like it, don't drink it. Wine is to be enjoyed. There ar good wines at all different price ranges.

The learning of wine appreciation for everybody usually takes a specific route. People around High School age usually begin their wine drinking experience with wines that are sweet and served cold. Probably the most famous of these wines is a product called Boone's Farm - Strawberry Hill. As one gets older and develops a taste for better quality, a move up to a Chardonnay is common. Chardonnay's are not as sweet and are served "clilled" rather than cold.

From there, one may venture into a Merlot with dinner. Merlot's are not sweet and are served at what I call "Air conditioned room temperature." or "Castle temperature". This temperature is very slightly clilled or almost completely warm. Merlot's are a full bodied hearty red wine that is still a little softer than the granddaddy of all wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon. The taste progression goes from sweet and cold to warm and dry.

[ "Dry" in wine terminology, means the absense of sweetness.]