As many posters here know, I am ITB so let me say first off that I have a "horse in this race".
One of the biggest reasons that the Wine Industry is having trouble keeping market share, losing most of its headcount to Beer, is that many in our industry have made wine too darned complicated. Most wine education is way too formal, full of technical and otherwise jargon that alienate newbies. Also, even if you attend a wine tasting (and not a wine class or course), many times is turns out to be an alienating experience because the "expert" chooses to dictate and "preach from the pulpit". I think very little of wine descriptors for newbie use, I have nothing against them (in principle) but these descriptors are NOT for everybody and their ABUSE is hurting the wine industry... it scares many people into thinking they dont know anything about wine and just push them across the street to some micro-brewery.
In recent years, Wine has gotten to become a "big deal" and people are scared to make mistakes, or to appear ill-prepared to order wines at a Restaurant or serve it at dinner at home with guests. People in Wine need to take this into account, and we must all do our part in making folks welcome and take them step by step.
For someone new to wine that wants to learn, I suggest seeking out a small and ideally owner operated Wine Shop close to your area. Spend some time, tell your Wine Merchant that you are new and want to learn, be frank and open about what you like to drink now and what you have tasted... dont me scared to say "I think Cabernet is too strong", or "I only like Sweet Wines". Depending on your level of interest, try to take notes, dont use any technical words, just take notes that you understand any go back often to read them. Write things as you feel/smell/taste them... keep it as simple as you can, find your own system. Try to buy different wines in different styles and from different regions, go back to your merchant with your notes and discuss what you liked more, and also what you liked less. There is always time to sign up for a wine class, but I think that money is better spent on bottles of wine than on formal wine education.... what you taste and what you write in your notebook, plus the feedback you give (and get) from your Wine Merchant is the best wine education you will ever get.
Give the above a try... and a few months later, the next steps will come naturally.... Wine Knowledge is a journey. Pace yourself and go at your own stride... it is a wonderful journey.
In closing, I will bring out a frequent flyer analogy. Wine is like airline travel.... once you experience high-end wine, similar to when you are seated on the correct side of the curtain, it is very hard to enjoy Economy Class... the same way it becomes difficult to enjoy cheap Wine.....
