If you've ever stood in a wine shop staring at hundreds of bottles and had absolutely no idea where to start, you're in good company. That was me not too long ago — curious about wine, a little intimidated by it, and looking for a place to learn that didn't require a sommelier's vocabulary or a bottomless wallet.
My journey started with a trip to Northern California. Not a wine tasting trip but just a visit to the Sacramento area. When offered a glass of wine, I chose a red. The red that was poured for me was from a local winery just outside of Sacramento. The wine was really good. I asked 'What is this wine?" and was told. After the second glass, I said "Wow! This is really good. Tell me again what is it?" and I was again told.
The next day I reflected on that wonderful wine and had to ask one more time — "Tell me again, what was that wine?" The reason I kept asking was that it was a Barbera — a variety I had never encountered before. That one glass opened my eyes to everything that makes wine fascinating: the different varieties, the regions, the subtle flavors, and all the stories that go along with them.
That experience sent me down a path I'm still happily traveling. I had a lot of questions early on and not many places to find straightforward answers, so I consider myself self-taught — with a little help from friends, family, and a lot of bottles along the way. EverWonderWine is my way of sharing what I've learned, from the basics of choosing and serving wine to the stories behind the grapes, the regions, and the winemakers themselves. It's grown into more than I ever expected — over a decade of weekly articles, a comprehensive glossary, and the Behind the Cork™ review series, where I share honest opinions on affordable, everyday wines worth trying.
I'm still learning, and I hope you'll join me.
Cheers!
