Looking For Suggestions

[jp9250]

I've been enjoying wine for a good long while, but have only recently started paying closer attention to exactly what I've been drinking. I'd pick up a bottle that caught my eye, take it home and give it a go. Sometimes I'd do better than others, but I usually did ok (at least my uneducated self thought so and I figured that's the important part). The problem is, I rarely remembered what I liked more, or why I liked it more for that matter. Anyway, I'm looking to educate myself a bit and wonder if there are any base line examples of various wines that could serve as points of comparison. I'm not looking for the quintessential wine here, just a good starting point (easy on the wallet would be nice as well). My usual suspects are cabs, merlots, pinots and reislings, but I'm open to just about anything. Sorry, I do tend to ramble........thanks in advance, jp