They're All Good

There are not many infallible rules in wine. Not all Bordeaux are good. There aren't entire decades you should look out for. Australia doesn't make crap wine. Screwcap means absolutely nothing. For those in need of a few good rules, here are a few we stand by:

Big Guns
As Eric says: They're the best for a reason. Petrus, Latour, Dominus, Verite, Romanee-Conti, d'Yquem, Margaux, Ducru-Beaucaillou... pick the big gun that you like and, presto, all good. In good years the wine is ecstasy, in bad years it may fall to simply wonderful.

Bordeaux 2009
Yeah, well they should be good. Called the best vintage of the past century, and prices to match.

Brunellos
Supple, ripe, just enough sweetness, texture fine tannins. Stuff like that.
Try: Livio Sasseti Pertimali or Collosorbo.

Burgundy
My Dad and I had a contest. Desert island wine. If you could only drink wine from one region. Burgundy wins. Especially if the gods or demons of your desert island are footing the bill.

Grüner Veltliner
Plus, you sound like you know what you're talking about, even if you only manage to pronounce it correctly.

Montecucco
Damn tasty wines which under the newly minted denomination of Montecucco (across the way from Montalcino in greater Tuscany). Rosso, Riserva, Bianco Sangiovese and Vermentino are a happy family. Only problem: your local shopkeep might not stock them. [Props to Maremma restaurant for introducing us].
Try Ciacci Piccolomini's Rosso di Montecucco at Chambers Street Wines or Wine Legend in New Jersey. More on Ciacci P here.

Rioja
R for Reliable.
Try: Don Roman at Morrell.

Rosso di Montalcino
Some say Baby Brunello. $20 and up in the store, makes-the-meal $50 in a restaurant.
Try: Collosorbo, Banfi
Read: "The Other Montalcino".

Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp whites. The world needs crisp whites.

Viogner
From complex to merely crisp without oak or sourness, they're all, well, good, bom, bon, buono, gut, ii desu ne.