Blogger Background: Chris

I started out like everyone else, some white zinfadel or a wine cooler every now and then. Eventually I moved on to Merlot and the very occasional desert wine.

Under the tutelage of some wine-loving friends, my wife and I began to widen our repertoire and added some whites to our collection. My wife took to Chardonnay, though I never have (I still have no love for oaked chards). We learned some of the basics of swirling and tasting and such.

After a trip to Italy, my wife and I both came back addicted to reds. Chianti, cab franc, cab sauv, shiraz, etc.

Since then, we've come around to a mix of whites and reds; I can't stand white zin anymore; and I actually know what a wine's finish is. I can even tell what varietal I'm drinking some of the time.

I'd place myself as a beginner to amateur wino. I'm only beginning to learn how to do my own pairings; I can pick out certain flavors and scents, but not all; my terminology is still a mish-mash of logic and imitation; and I've seen Sideways.

Most of my education has been from friends, experimentation, occasional articles, and the TV series "Thirsty Traveler" & "Simply Wine."

I still tend towards reds and desert wines. My favorites are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti Classico, Australian Shiraz and Niagara Icewine (with a slight preference for Vidal Icewine).

So, that's where I stand on wine.

Welcome

There are a group of us who like wine. We also happen to be geeks. I'm not sure what effect that has on our wine tasting and reviewing abilities, but it does mean we often find ourselves turning to the internet for information and such.

This blog is the natural extension of our geekiness and love of wine. Beginning in the next few weeks we will post our reviews on wines we've had, wine regions and wineries we've visited and also the occasional link to wine on the internet.

All of us have different levels of expertise and varying backgrounds. I'll try to have everybody post a short bio of relevant facts before they begin any reviews. This way, you'll get an idea where we're coming from.

Of course, the overall goal is to have fun. And what can be more fun than researching for this blog?

Anyway, I've got a bottle of Pinot calling my name, so I'll leave you to your web-browsing.

Until we meet again, Cheers!