I remember the first time I had wine. I was 12 and it was at the family Passover dinner.  I was finally old enough to partake in something that was previously only in the domain of adults. It was slightly magical. Of course, the wine was that dreadful, fortified, sweet Manishewitz Passover wine, but it didn’t matter. That first glass had amazing significance to me. Since that day, I’ve had hundreds of glasses of wine—some good, some okay, and a select few that were amazing. I can’t always remember the variety or brand of wine I’ve had, but I never forget the experience. Wine has played a role in some of my most memorable meals and life moments.

As magical as wine can be, I’ve always been turned off by the wine world. It has always felt way too pretentious. I hate trying to make my way through pages and pages of wine options trying to remember the differences between a Bordeaux and Sancerre while an impatient waiter waits for me to make up my mind. I’ve also have a difficult time with the pretentiousness that sometimes surrounds wine. I hate the feeling like I should like something because it’s considered “fine wine,” and that if I don’t, it’s some failing in my appreciation for the wine, rather than just my personal preference and taste.

Even though I’m a writer, I’ve rarely put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write on the topic of wine. When Whisked Foodie came calling to have me write about spirits, they also asked me to write about wine. Honestly, the prospect made me a little nervous. Me, write about wine?

Perhaps this is why I should be writing about wine. I’ve talked to a lot of people who love wine but share my feelings about the world that surrounds it. I think there’s a way to talk about wine that is more practical than critical, and completely unpretentious.

Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, I’ll be starting there, with the vast grassroots wine region that’s fought against misperceptions and created world class wines. I’ll also be looking at inexpensive wines. I think it’s important to pay as much attention to the “five buck chuck” that they sell at Trader Joe’s as it is to talk fine French wines.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey. We will be learning and exploring together, and hopefully it will lead to some amazing wine moments for both of us.

If you have a wine region you think I should cover or an area of wine you think needs a no frills look, tweet me @drinkspirits.