There must be something wrong with me. I simply cannot walk past a wine shop without stopping in to browse at the labels and chat with the staff until either the shop closes or I get a call — usually from my wife — reminding me that I am supposed to be somewhere else (picking up or dropping off a child at one ice hockey rink or another).

Well, in my travels, I have had the pleasure of either meeting or hearing about great wine shops in the Washington area. So I decided to tap the vast knowledge of the wonderful — and patient — experts who provide advice to clients all day long and asked them about their own favorite “gems.” A “gem” is defined as a memorable wine that costs less than $30 — in other words, a great value.