ver hear of B2B e-commerce? Well don't worry, there's little chance you and most wine consumers will ever run across it, much less purchase wines or spirits through it. Quietly though, it is starting to shake up the local wholesale and distribution channels but as long as the State liquor laws (this includes most of our states), continue to prohibit consumers from buying wine directly from the source, that is the wineries themselves, the three tier system and markups of your favorite wine will continue to exist, and so too will your local retailer.

So then, what are your choices and who are the best retailers to shop with? I briefly teased you with the thought of buying wine on-line and although this is only a small percentage of overall consumer wine purchases, it is available through quite a few web sites provided you stay within the law. My advice though, is unless you are very wine savvy, most of the wine available on the web is merely average with higher than normal markups or is simply unattainable unless you are a known collector and a member of the e-list’s A list. So back to Mom and Pop.

Unfortunately, like everything else, bigger seems to be better and the number of small, highly dedicated, service and quality oriented wine retail shops are now few and far between. They do exist though and even many of their bigger competitors actual do offer good wine direction. So let's look at your options, four of which I feel are readily available to most of us.

The first, which is your basic liquor store and convenience store. These should be avoided at all cost when looking for a new wine experience. They are as implied, strictly for convenience, a couple of six-packs, that mag of “white sin” or the 1.5 liquor of choice. Your second and quickly becoming the most popular is your local grocery store chain, such as Publix and Albertson's. Today well over half of their stores now provide extensive wine and beer departments, with very good selections at better than average pricing but guidance and education is sacrificed for volume.

The third is your more progressive big time liquor chains such as ABC and Crown who have made fine wine selections a priority and host many in store tastings and wine seminars to increase your knowledge and confidence. Over half of their stores will have a designated wine expert whom you can trust and enjoy many new and rewarding wine experiences. Caution though, beware of exclusive brands and privately labeled wine, offered only by them. Mediocrity and extra profit to the store is usually all you'll come away with.

Your best bet naturally is the small wine specialty shop of which many are popping up and actually serving to replace our dear old Mom and Pop concept. Wine has finally established itself as viable everyday beverage for those who are looking for a little extra in their lifestyle. To meet your curiosity and help guide you through the intimidation of so many fine wines, all these wine specialty shops will have someone very knowledgeable and eager to enhance your wine drinking pleasure.

Many have regular tastings and most will offer wine classes and seminars, geared to all levels of knowledge. Some will even team up with local restaurants to offer winemaker dinners and or food and wine pairings. Sarasota and Bradenton has recently opened quite a few of these wine destinations.

Joining the well established J.D. Fords Tasting Room, which is part of Fred's, is Michael's Wine Cellar behind Michael's on East, and Tastebuds at the Colony on Longboat Key. Less glitzy but still reliable are old guards such as The Crescent Market, Wine Warehouse, Harry's Continental Kitchens Market, Crossings Liquor and Palmer Plaza Liquors.

Newcomers such as Flanagan's Wine Market, Divine Wines, DNA Wines, Anna Maria Wine &Spirits and Norman's Liquors all eager to direct you to some of their favorite wine adventures. Seek out one of these fine purveyors, one you feel comfortable with or sample them all.

The buzz words in today's wine boom have been Chardonnay and Cabernet but here's a little different path you might want to suggest to your local retailer. A few of my favorite categories are Washington State Merlots, Oregon Pinots (Noir and Gris), California Zinfandels (red), Rhone Rangers and Cal-Italia, Australian Shiraz and Semilions, Spanish Tempranillo's and Blancos, Argentinean Malbecs, German and Austrian dry Rieslings, New Zealand Sauvignon's, French Provence and Italian Tuscans and Piedmont wines.

Remember your ABC's (anything but Chardonnay and Cabernet) and they will certainly stir your imagination.