I am New/ help.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Bkang, and welcome to the Wine Board. It is possible to start with Bordeaux, though not the usual route as Debra suggests. My wife cut her teeth on St Emilion. Of course, we were living in France at the time, facilitating that process.

You can try a Bordeaux without hocking the plantation. There are literally thousands of journeyman bottlings brought into the U.S.A. every year. In a good vintage such as 2000 you can find some gems among them. The cost is $10 to $15. Many small importers are involved in this adventure, so what you can find in one part of America will not be found someplace else. Ask your retailer for recommendations. Also ask when he or she recommends drinking your purchase. Most of these lower priced bottlings are ready to go, but some may need another six months to a year to open up.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 03-31-2003).]