When I lived in Utah, I envied people in states that had wine stores that offered tastings. I am happier here, where there are numerous opportunities for sampling through regular wine tastings at stores and restaurants, along with a host of charitable events where wine is the focus.

Retail wine tastings are a great tool — particularly for beginners and more intermediate tasters — because they offer the chance to “try before you buy” and to learn a lot in a short time and for a small investment.

Many tastings are broken down by wine classes, so you get the added benefit of learning about whole categories of wine — white wines from the Loire Valley (France), dessert wines, champagnes, red wines under $20 from Spain.

As the holidays approach, these retail tastings are also a great way to find a new wine to try at Thanksgiving or discover a different category of wines, such as ports, to use for holiday gifts.

Before heading out to taste, here a few things to keep in mind:

Call ahead: Some tastings have fixed schedules while others are less regular. Some stores may require reservations and you may be charged for a last-minute cancellation.

Keep simple expectations: These events can sometimes be crowded and even noisy, smoky and dark.

Come with a full stomach: Tasting wine with food is recommended to round out an impression of a wine. But it's also good to help soak up alcohol. Retail tastings are accompanied by varying levels of food, so make sure you eat first. Keep eating and hydrating with water at the tasting. Pace yourself: This one is a no-brainer for all kinds of reasons.

Ready for tasting? Here's a small sampling of what's available:

The Wine Merchant in Oakley: Informal tastings daily. Scheduled tastings 6-8 p.m. several Fridays per month. This Friday, Australian wines will be tasted. Cost: $15. Prepaid reservations required: 731-1515.

Chateau Pomije in O'Bryonville: Bimonthly tastings of five wines. Cost: $30 (wine/appetizer) and $60 (wine/dinner). Informal tastings 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $8 for four or five wines. Call 871-8788 for more information.

The Party Source (Bellevue store): Tastings 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June through October. No cost for six samples (1-ounce pours, as mandated by Kentucky law). Call (859) 291-4007 for information.

Jungle Jim's in Fairfield: Tastings 1 p.m. Saturday. Cost: ranges $15-$25 for 10 wines. Tastings sold out for rest of year, but reservations will be accepted at end of October for January. Information: 674-6000, ext. 7.

Piazza Discepoli (College Hill store): Informal tastings throughout Saturday. Scheduled tastings 8 p.m. the last Thursday of the month. Cost: $15 for six-eight wines. Reservations required: 681-8466.

A number of restaurants offer tastings. In addition, charity wine tastings are plentiful. Some charity events include:

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati 20th Anniversary Gala/Auction: Saturday.

Tickets: $125. Auction prizes include a tour and tasting at some of the city's premier wine cellars. Information: 636-7642.

Cancer Family Care's 23rd Annual Wine Tasting and Dinner: Nov. 1. Tickets: $125 per person. Information: 731-3346.

Cincinnati International Wine Festival: April 3- 5. The event offers 500 wines from 125 wineries. Information: 241-3434.

Contact Amy Simmons by e-mail: asimmons@deskey.com or send questions and comments c/o the Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202.

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