So I want to be a sommelier

[Randy Caparoso]

Of course, one doesn't become an "expert" anything without a little experience. So let your first glass wine be your start, and you can start anywhere. I'd suggest a local wine bar or restaurant that serves glasses of wine in small to big servings (2, 4, 5 or 6 oz.). See if you like the taste. If so, then do this:

1. Go to the bookstore or library and pick up a couple of introductory books to wine and wine tasting. There are a number of very good ones. Keep them handy all around the house or apartment, and read and memorize them every spare moment.

2. Get to know the people down at one or two of your local wine stores (yellow pages!). Be upfront about what you'd like to experience, and your price ranges. Almost universally, they're more than willing and happy to help you get started (for obvious reasons).

3. Once you're on the roll, consider subscribing to one or two wine magazines (check out your nearest Borders, Barnes & Noble and such for a good sampling), and make sure that everytime you buy a bottle or order something in a restaurant, it's always something new.

4. At least one of your local community colleges, universities, wine merchants or restaurants invariably offer wine courses. Take them! Whenever there's a local wine festival, sign yourself up (they're usually benefits, and so you'll always being doing someone else good). Basically, the more experience you can build up, the better!

5. Finally, every expert keeps a journal (or some kind of collection of notes). This will be the key to building your wine "memory." It may be work; but I'm sorry, it's practically the only way you'll get anywhere near building some kind of expertise (unless you have a photographic memory).

Good luck!