Take the Plunge and Look Beyond Cheap Chardonnay in a Jug!You’ve been invited to a summer dinner party.  When you volunteer to bring a contribution, the host suggests a bottle of white.  Despite knowing little about wine, you agree – what now??Lighter in body and flavor than a red wine, more interesting and “sippable” than beer, a chilled white wine is an essential beverage at any summer occasion.  To the inexperienced wine buyer, however, the prospect of choosing from potentially hundreds of  bottles at a local wine merchant can be daunting.  All too often this results in the purchase of a large, cheap, familiar bottle from the limited selection at the corner grocery store.  What inexperienced wine buyers miss out on is an unprecedented and growing selection of high-quality wines in the United States, many at surprisingly affordable prices.Step 1: Where to BuyThe explosion of the wine market in the United States is evident in the appearance of wine on the shelves of Wal-Mart and the expansion of supermarket wine aisles.  Although these stores are sources of the affordable, mega-mass-produced labels familiar to many Americans, their selection is limited, and their controls on wine storage are uncertain at best.  You’re likely to have a more interesting experience shopping in a store with a dedicated wine salesperson who is knowledgeable about the inventory.Liquor stores vary in their emphasis on wine sales.  Some liquor stores have a large proportion of their floor space dedicated to wine, while in others the hard stuff clearly takes center stage.  Call a liquor store ahead of time to find out whether you will be able to speak with a wine specialist when you visit the store – if you are directed elsewhere, take the advice!