I get a lot of calls from friends who are standing in the wine store, wondering which bottle to pick up for dinner. I don't mind trying to help, but as I'm not standing there with them reading the labels, I often suggest they find an employee and get a recommendation from someone who can a.) see the brands and b.) has probably tasted them all. That's when they panic, because for some reason no one ever wants to talk to a wine store employee.

I have my theory on that: People are either afraid they don't know anything, or they think they know everything. Well, here's some news: there's a lot of room in between those two extremes where you can get great info and even discover new wines you'd never have found on your own. Here's what to do if you're one of those people who skulk around the aisles avoiding the salespeople and trying to grab something you vaguely recognize before anyone approaches you.



1. Have the courage to walk in in the first place. Bravo! You're in the door, and now the aisles are swimming with thousands of bottles, of which you only recognize two, maybe three labels. Don't panic.

2. Check out the layout of the store. Some are arranged by country of origin, some by weight and body, and some don't seem to be arranged whatsoever.

3. Decide which section you want to look in. If you have no idea, wander over to the bubblies. They're always fun to examine.

4. Find an employee, or at the very least, allow one to seek you out. Most wine store employees work there because they love wine. They generally want to help you, and it makes their day when you let them.

5. Don't worry about sounding stupid. There are no stupid wine questions, with the possible exception of those asked by my husband's seventh-grade class.

6. Ask away. Start by describing a kind of wine you like. Is it fruity? Dry? Sweet? Red? White? Help the wine store employee narrow down recommendations for you.

7. Don't be afraid to say "no." You don't have to buy everything the wine guy suggests. Be strong. If you know you hate Chardonnay and he tries to sell you a case, tell him what you don't like about it. Maybe he'll direct you to Chenin Blanc instead. Along the same lines, don't be afraid to tell the wine guy your budget. He will not laugh at you.

8. Keep coming back. It's far less painful the second, and third, and fourth time. Eventually you'll get to know everyone in the store and they'll greet you like an old friend. And you'll have drunk a lot of great wine on your way there.