Your knowledge appreciated

[SFAnchor]

I've been reading a few threads here and I found some disturbing news. I wasn't aware that white wines don't age well at all, and that red wines (if they aren't really good wines; i.e. "inexpensive") don't age for very long.

So I need your help in the following areas:

[b]A[/b] Look at my very small, very new wine collection and let me know what kind of shelf life I can expect out them. My purpose is to have very good tasting, aged wines for special occasions and get togethers. (Plus I love 1997 CA Cab's. I felt that was a very good year for them, so I buy them whenever I see them, regardless of the vineyard.)
[i]Mystic Cliffs[/i] (1997) CA Cab
[i]Francis Coppola[/i] (2000) CA Red Wine
[i]Louis M. Martini[/i] (1999) CA Zin
[i]Santa Ema[/i] (1999) Cab from Chile (2 Bottles)
[i]Cantelo Estate[/i] (2000) Cab from Chile
[i] Chateau Malbat[/i] (2000) Bordeaux from France
[i]Ecco Domani[/i] (1997) Barbera D'Alba from Italy (2 Bottles)
[i]Ecco Domani[/i] (1998) Cab from Italy (2 Bottles)
[Gundlach Bundschu[/i] (1996) Cab from Sonoma CA
[i]Sebastiani[/i] Proprietor's Reserve (1977) Babera
[i]Cesari[/i] (1997) Merlot Cabernet from France
[i]Cesari[/i] (1997) Pinot Grigio from France

[b]B[/b] [i]A few questions I have:[/i]
1. What is the name of a good reference book for wines? I've been tempted to buy "Wine for Dummies", but is there another novice book out there?
2. What is with the dimple at the bottom of some of the bottles? (I hear this helps the wines to age better.)
3. I've heard that you can tell how good a red wine is, based on how dark the cork is when you open the bottle. True or False?
4. I purchase most of my wine at Trader Joe's because they are really inexpensive there. If I want to really start a good collection that I can age for a period of years, how much should I expect to spend per bottle? (I'm assuming it will be more than $3.99 for the Ecco Domani currently.) And where should I shop?

Thanks for taking the time! I appreciate it!