When you choose a wine, do you look for price, label, varietals, what you've read about in magazines, what your friends drink, what you had at Morton's the last time you ate there?

Choices. Wine offers a literal WORLD of choices. But how do you decide?

Maybe you should make your decision based on...

The "point scale," perhaps especially the one designed by Robert Parker. Well that's just fine if you have the same taste buds and desires in wine as he. . . That more than likely means wines with OVER the top flavor, alcohol and price.

Or Wine Spectator. Jim Laube is a very fair taster and tries to find balance, but if you are a winery and don't buy an ad in the magazine or support a tasting sponsored by the magazine - and they are magnificent - your wine might not get "tasted." But it might. The Wine Spectator is the Russian roulette of the wine point world.

The best way to find a wine that you like and want to buy is to go to a tasting. Or have a tasting with your friends. Or buy the wines that you want to try, read some of the reviews and then find a reviewer who has similar palate as yours. That writer/TV/radio person can be your guide. And that's helpful.

But it all comes down to what YOU like and what you want and what will satisfy your need, be it a bottle for a party, gift, tailgate gathering, night in front of the fireplace or Thanksgiving dinner.

YOU have the right to select the wine that will work best for you. Despite all the PR and helpful/hurtful point scales, it all comes back to you and the power you have to get what you want.

Be it in the bottle or candidate.

And remember to buy your wine the day before as wine shoppes are closed during voting hours, 6 am to 6 pm.

Beringer Third Century Syrah, California-Rich, lush, yummy dry red with bright aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, cocoa and soft vanilla. Great with burgers, blackened tuna, or BBQ chicken wings.

Beringer Third Century Sauvignon Blanc, California-Bright, crisp, tangy dry white with the zip of gooseberries, white grapefruit and soft subtle mineral mid palate. Yum. Fab with grilled chicken or fish and vegan dishes.