basics

[jakesduece]

Help!

I'm in search of a couple of good books or references to help with learning more about wine without just going to the store and walking the isles dumbfounded and lost. I would rather go in with a hint of knowledge on this subject and take an educated guess. This way I'm not taking such a chance and getting a bottle of something a wino wouldn't touch.
I occasionally go to the Finger Lakes Region of New York, for the wine trails. Many, if not all, of the local wineries offer wine tastings which is very helpful in finding the ones I like. I have also started a log, or a little book, of labels with my personal commentary on each wine.