In my experience, both as a taster and a teacher, the best way to find the wines you like is to compare one wine with another or, better, with a few others. And the most convenient place and time to do that is at a wine tasting, an event held to showcase a number of wines.

A wine tasting can be as uncomplicated as a local retail shop opening a few bottles for sampling during weekend hours. Sometimes there’s a theme to the selection; sometimes it’s just a chance for merchants or importers to display their wares.