Hello, my name is Laird Marshall. I will be writing weekly on this site about all things wine. I hope to share some basic information for those new to the subject, some tasting notes on wines, and an easy forum for readers to ask questions about wine. I have spent fourteen years studying the subject and still find it fascinating. Wine is infused in western history as far back as we have kept a history. It is believed to predate breadmaking. Our art, literature, and cuisine are filled with references and homages to it. At it’s heart wine is about sharing and fellowship.

Oddly, for a beverage that has been around for so long many know next to nothing about it and worse; find it intimidating. Wine is about pleasure, it should be fun. The most important thing is to keep an open mind and to trust your palate. In the coming weeks we will offer overviews of grape flavor/aroma profiles, wine regions, and various outlets for purchasing wine. First up, a basic tool set for getting started.

To maximize your enjoyment a few things are essential. Most critical are the glasses. Many wines are never given the chance to be fully enjoyed because they are served in the wrong vessels. A good wine glass need not be expensive. Many are available for 3-5 dollars per stem. I suggest the local outlets or closeout stores. Look for a medium to large bowl (14 ounces or larger) with a relatively thin rim and avoid cut or colored glass. A good corkscrew is also a must. Finally a decanter is very helpful.

Next you will need to get the wine. There are several options when shopping for wine. First up is the grocery store. The grocery offers convenience and a low price markup on wine. The selection of a major grocery store has vastly improved in recent years as well. The downside of a grocery is the lack of a knowledgeable sales staff to assist you with advice. Next is the liquor store. These vary wildly in the quality of their selections and the knowledge of their staffs. They will often have a few more higher end selections to offer. There are also a number of specialty wine stores in the area. These tend to have more eclectic selections and more helpful advice. The markups here are a little higher to offset lower sales volumes. The benefit of having someone to help with your purchase is considerable if you do not know which wine to choose. These shops often offer wine tastings as well. Take advantage of these whenever possible. 

When you are purchasing wine it is important to remember that price is no guarantee of quality. Do not spend more than you are comfortable paying. There are thousands of delicious wines available for 5-10 dollars. If you are new to wine I highly recommend starting in this price range anyway so you can get a feel for the various grape flavor profiles. When starting out you want to taste the broadest possible range of wines.

Next week we will look at the mechanics of tasting and the organization of a wine tasting with friends. Please feel free to post any questions.