Much of the pleasure lies in the wine shops themselves. Each has its own personality. One might be sleek and high profile with the hottest new wine bar in town while another is a rabbit warren with cases stacked everywhere. One shop might be on Madison Avenue where another favorite, Drive-In Liquors, is squirreled under I-25 in Colorado Springs where you can be sure to find a bottle you thought had long ago disappeared. A great enjoyment are shops like Italian Wine Merchants in New York that specialize with a depth of selection that offers new discoveries even to those most familiar with the region. Unlikely looking places might have some real finds. The Clown in Portland, Maine; Joe Saglimbini’s in San Antonio; Oregon Wines on Broadway?And, of course, along the way one meets new friends and renews old acquaintances who share one’s enthusiasm for the hunt, for the personalities and for the camaraderie of wine itself.Look for wine merchants interested in what you like rather than what is on special this week. There is real fun in taking home a mixed case from different regions and discovering your palate. Take notes on what you like and why and then, when you go back, your wine merchant will be able to refine the selection to your taste. Nevertheless, be open to new suggestions and try to broaden your experience as much as you can. As you gain experience, your preferences will inevitably focus on certain regions but even then, keep an open mind for there are great wines coming from everywhere around the globe.

Gregg Popovich

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