ALL ABOUT WINE (WINE 101)

•Don't fill your cellar with the wines you like at the moment. The temptation may be strong to buy cases and half-cases, but please note that your tastes will change, and then you'll be left with a cellar full of wines that you won't feel like drinking.

•Attend as many Urban Wine Company tastings as you can. Taste, learn, laugh, and enjoy!

•Remember to take the opinions and advice of wine 'experts' with a pinch of salt. If any wine "expert" is worth listening to, they'll be humble enough to acknowledge that they are indeed fallible and that their expertise can by necessity only cover certain areas.

•Don't fall into the trap of exclusively seeking out highly-rated or expensive wines. Often a $20 bottle of wine is just as satisfying as a $100 bottle of wine. The temptation to act snobby with wine strong, especially if you have plenty of money. Instead, drink widely and build up a context from which to then fully appreciate the more stellar wines. You'll also find it easier to form your own opinion.

•Get good advice on what to try, either from a merchant who you trust, or from a critic whose palate seems to match with yours. Of course, a great way to try out new wines is by becoming a member of our Stellar Wine Club!

•Keep notes on all the wines you try. At first you may not be very sure of what you are doing, but your confidence will grow as you try more wines. Please note that your perception will change with each new experience!

•Read. Read. Read. Just like Warren Buffett advises to everyone who will listen. Read as much as you can. There are many excellent reference works around. Wine Enthusiast is an excellent magazine, chocked full of good articles and pieces of advice on all wines.

•If you get the chance, visit some wine country. There is nothing like visiting the vineyards. So pure. So genuine.