New to wine...

[SanguineBacchante]

I just recently began drinking wine with a friend. We just buy really cheap Merlot, but I love it more than any other type of alcohol I've tried, and desperately want to learn more about the art of consumption and cultivation of it. This may be a little difficult considering two things: 1.) I'm not quite 21 yet (just a few more months!) and 2.) I live in Oklahoma. (I really don't know about this, but "Fine Wines from Oklahoma" just doesn't sound right..haha)

I guess my question is...there's so much to know..! So where should I begin??

[winoweenie]

Hi SB and welcome to the board.You have lots of Okie company here. I was bown in Shawnee, raised in Tulsa, lived in Ok City and attended the U of Okla before transferring to Missouri. Bucko one our moderators is also a Sooner. You should buy Wine for Dummies ( no inference ) or Andrea Immers book. Go back on this thread for a year and you'll get lots of good advice. Once you get a talking knowledge you can ask specific questions which someone can help with. Velchomme aboard. WW

[Glass_A_Day]

HI SB and I second WW's welcome. There is much to learn and I understand your apprehension. It is truly like learning a second language, but like WW said, once you get a few verbal skills, you are off and running. I started here a few years back and have learned so much from the real people here. Don't buy into the magazine influence, but rather read books like WW said and ask questions. You have stepped into a great world. BTW, don't worry about being just 21. I wish I had found wine then. It's just ten years ago for me and I regret every can of Coors Light I suffered through before my transformation... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[wineguruchgo]

If you belong to Netflix by chance there is a great introductory DVD out there called "Wine Fundamentals". He basically goes through all of the "major" wines in the world. It's very informative and easy to understand.

I'm a wine geek and even I learned from it!

There are also two other discs by Master of Wine Jancis Robinson.

I'm a wine geek and even I learned from it!

[wondersofwine]

The Andrea Immer book WW cited is "Great Wines Made Simple." It suggests wines to purchase for a tasting (such as contrasting a "cold region" wine with a "warm region" wine from the same grape, etc.) This would be fun to do with your friend, or better yet with several friends to share the cost of the bottles for the tastings. I have been drinking wine for over 30 years (but became more serious about it in the last 10-15 years). Like wineguru, I still learn from books like Andrea Immer's or "Wine for Dummies."

[SanguineBacchante]

Thanks so much, everyone! I ordered Wine for Dummies as well as the Andrea Immer book. I also worked a liiittle on my palate...I tried a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon at Don Pablo's last night. I liked it more than the Yellowtail we usually buy, so I guess that's a start(?). Hahaha. Anyway...thanks!