Wine.  Over 100 different varieties right here in California.  And that’s not including blends!  Which one would work best for that upcoming intimate home-cooked meal?  Which one should you bring to that fancy dinner party next week?  The choices are endless and the average person doesn't know where to begin.

My name is Patrick Schwerdtfeger and I'm no expert on wine either.  I'm a Mortgage Banker by trade but I always wanted to know enough about quality wines to feel comfortable talking about the subject in social settings.  That's what Fluid Occasions is all about.  Together, we'll research the field and learn about the labels, the grapes, the regions and the process as a whole.

Our resources will include a number of books I've purchased and some informational services I've subscribed to.  We'll focus on quality wines with ratings above 90.  Within each category, we'll narrow the search to those wines with the best values compared with their ratings equivalents.  Prices vary widely within a single rating and we'll look at those labels with the highest values.  Most will fall in the $25 to $50 price range.

I'll try to do a new review each week and will rely on listeners like you to help provide reviews and suggestions for future labels.  I encourage you to get involved in this series so we can all benefit as much as possible.