I have to agree with Hive account@world-traveler. Wine is a complex topic & as Hive account@beiker mentioned, intermingled with history. France, Italy & Spain are the top wine producing countries in the world. Not only they produce the largest quantity of wine but they also produce some of the best wines as well. The region where the grapes grow greatly affects the flavor and so does any change in climate. Not every year is a good year and not everyone will enjoy the uniqueness wine has to offer. But ppl who enjoy wine like experimenting new regions new bottles. I don't have a favorite wine, I like most of them but at the same time I would give you a straight answer because the truth is, quality of wine effects taste, mind and overall health. I hate to open a bottle that within seconds of opening it will hit me with a smell. I will be able to smell and tell right away the issue (oxidized, corked, brett etc). I don't drink quantity, I'm all about quality.