Wine tasting can be a valuable experience

Two-buck Chuck and Franzia are usually the only wines college students have a nose for. Instead of asking about the legs of the wine, most wonder how drunk they can get by finishing a whole box. Having a well-centered knowledge of wine is not a necessity for the average college student. It's like a good golf game: something that is nice to have for the real world or for business, but not that applicable to college life. However, gaining that knowledge is not difficult or expensive. The only way to gain an appreciation for wine is to get out there and taste. And the fastest way to accomplish this at an affordable rate is to hit up the various wine bars around San Diego or head to local wineries. Wineries can be bias to their own products, so wine bars are a safer option for new wine lovers. Wine bars such as Tango Wine Company in Little Italy and Wine Steals in Hillcrest offer a wide selection to start off the night. Walking into the bar can be intimidating, but if you admit your lack of wine knowledge and ask questions, the staff is more than willing to educate you. The staff at the wine bars are enthusiastic about their wines and ready to share wisdom. Ask them and they will take you under their wing and walk you through the steps of the wine making process, differences in the varieties and how to pair wines with different foods. The Tango Wine bar is a great place to start your expansion of wine knowledge. With an unassuming location in Little Italy, it offers tastings on Friday nights, with three tastings for $5. However, a single night of wine tasting is like trying to understand football by looking at a picture of LaDainian Tomlinson. "You need to be constantly tasting and looking to learn more," said Jose Villar, a wine consultant who runs tastings at the Tango Wine bar. "There is so much wine out there." Along with Tango, Wine Steals in Hillcrest offers cheap deals and equally knowledgeable staff who can lead you through Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Cabernets and other wine varieties. Most of the basics include variety, color, how to taste and the appropriate terms to use while describing wine. As with any new hobby, it's all about getting out there and practicing. It's the same with wine - constantly sampling and developing a taste for good quality is what wine tasting is all about. Tasting can be a fun and cheap way to mix up a night out or simply have a few drinks before heading to the clubs. There's plenty of knowledge out there for students who want to move past box wine and onto a classy glass.

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