Looking for some advice and info

[californiagirl]

IK gives great advice! The book is wonderful! Try to go so far as to do the excercises- you'll both learn alot, I did... and I've been into wine for a few years. You may also discover, that you like more than you think. The first time I try a wine, I don't look at the label, meaning what the winery thinks it tastes like. Form your own opinions.

You might find a good list of wines on the "best buys" forum. Locally, from Cal., Bogle has good selections (try the merlot and old vine zinfandel), Estancia Merlot is quite good, also Rex Goliath Cabernet is an easy drinker. You may want to search out Excelsior Cabernet from So. Africa. You'll find that these are easy drinkers, mostly fruit forward. IMHO.