Today, wine is more accessible and abundant than ever before. Gone are the days when only the finest mom and pop spirit stores carried a select offering of wines, offering one on one personalized service. And to that, eliminate the aged belief that sommeliers or cellar managers were the only ones who could pair wines, the task too complex for the mortal man.

Wines of nearly any varietal, be it domestic or international and price category, can be located at local spirits establishments, at discount powerhouses such as Costco or Trader Joes or even through the internet. While easy access to domestic and international wine is a boon to buyers, it also presents a dizzying array of choices that borders on the overwhelming, leading some people to retreat to safe, simple and predictable wine and food pairings (a domestic Cabernet with a steak, for example).