My “job” is a lot of fun — and a lot of work (although no one ever believes me). I get to taste countless wines each year to figure out which ones offer the biggest bang for the buck. While I have to kiss a lot of toads to find the princesses, in the long run, it’s worth it. However, not everyone has the luxury of opening bottle after bottle of wine in the name of research. Enter the new breed of wine bar.

For the last decade or so, many wine-centric restaurants and shops in the D.C. area have starting offering tastes of wines so that consumers can hone their palates without having to purchase an entire bottle. And the best part is that someone, usually a sommelier or wine buyer, has already narrowed the field down. All you have to do is let your palate enjoy the ride.