Ya gotta start somewhere, so go to a tasting and find out what you like.
I tend to like fruitier wines, so nice cabs and merlots from Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley are generally my favourites. Cabernets tend to be fuller bodied wine compared to merlots, but I like both. I also like wines from Chile and Australia. They are similar to California wines. There are some Spanish wines I like as well.
Wines from Europe tend to be dustier than California wines. They usually need to breathe for 20-30 minutes before drinking. I don't like them as much, but my wife prefers them because they aren't as sweet as fruitier wines.
Wines from further north tend to be more acidic, which I don't like as much. But some do. So wines from Washington state, upstate New York, British Columbia and Ontario fit the bill.
Malbecs from Argentina have become trendy, but I find them hit and miss. They are good value though.
I generally buy wines priced between $10 and $20 a bottle. That's my sweet spot. I can find decent wines below $10, especially if they come as specials in the wine store, but generally, lower price is lower quality to me. On the other hand, my nose isn't discernible enough to pick out a high quality wine. I've had expensive, $100+ bottles, but frankly, I'm too much of a heathen to tell the difference.
Now that I've written this, I have a sudden urge for a glass. Think I'll go pop me a bottle!
