By Christian & David Asam

Christian: I recall a night early in my freshman year of college before I had found wine, beer pong, or kegs, before I had been invited to my first of many frat parties. My roommate and I were bored, lying in two single beds in our tiny dorm room unable to sleep. We started quizzing each other on state capitals. We went back and forth trying to outmatch each other, and did remarkably well. Then the stumper, we got to the great state of Maine, and neither of us could recall the capital. After about 20 minutes of tormenting our brains we couldn’t take it any longer; we had to know. My roommate had the brilliant idea to pick up the phone, dial directory assistance, and say, “I don’t need a phone number, but could you tell me the capital of Maine.” There were a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line . . . but she finally said, with a giggle (of course), “It’s Augusta.”

David: Did you really have nothing better to do in your first week in college? That being said, it truly is amazing how much information we have at our finger tips with the evolution of the Web. Anyone these days knows how to google “Maine’s state capital,” and have the answer with the click of a mouse. The Web and the accessibility of information it provides have changed the way we live, and it has especially changed the world of wine. There are websites for buying wine, learning about wine, discussing wine, getting wine-related jobs, promoting and selling wine tourism—you name it, it’s out there. So here you go: some of the Grape Debate’s favorite wine websites.

C: The majority of wine websites are for buying wine online. I always first try to buy from my local and favorite wine shops. Not only do you get to peruse the shelves and talk to educated shop owners, you also avoid hefty shipping charges. Another plus is that you don’t have to worry about your wine getting cooked to death in Vegas during its cross-country journey in a  FedEx van.

But let’s face it. There are some rare or hard-to-get wines that are not going to make it to West Virginia, Hagerstown, Frederick, or even the shops of D.C. My three go-to wine websites, in order of preference. 1) www.hdhwine.com, the BEST in customer service; 2) www.premiercru.net, for great selection, especially of older vintages; and, 3) www.klwines.com, the most navigable, user friendly website I have found.

D: If you can’t find the wine you want at one of those three online stores, go to www.winesearcher.com. the site will direct you to who has your wine at the lowest price. Isn’t the Web great!

Three years ago we were looking for a dining room manager/wine steward for the Bavarian Inn. After working in California for three years, I knew the popularity of the website www.winejobs.com. In Santa Barbara everyone got jobs and found applicants though this site. I did not have much faith in the site for finding a qualified applicant or that any applicant at all would come to rural West Virginia. I was pleasantly proven wrong when we found four qualified applicants. We hired one, who did a stellar job for us.

Looking for a job assisting with harvest in a local vineyard, pouring wine in a tasting room, running a wine shop, or managing a restaurant’s wine program? You may want to give this site a shot.

C: I will now call myself out: I’m an internet wine dork (or at least I was until it just became too much for me to handle). Let’s talks about chat rooms! The premiere wine chat forum is www.erobertparker.com, hosted by the world’s most respected wine critic Robert Parker. Here you can post your tasting notes, read others’ tasting notes, argue about how restaurant wine prices are insane, or find out how long to decant your bottle of 1990 Montrose. Reader beware: these sites can become addictive and, at times, combative. My wife had to drag me away kicking and screaming!

D: Yep, that was an ugly scene. Thank God you have found life after internet wine chat rooms! Let’s talk about some unique local online wine sites. First of all, check out the newly improved www.wvobserver.com—we’re not just saying this because we write for The Observer! The site is crisp and clean, and you can read new and archived articles. With the new comment feature you can give Christian and me feedback, and turn us on to your favorite new wine finds. We promise to try to comment back as often as possible.

C: www.whatslairddrinkingnow.webs.com is the website and blog of Laird Marshall, manager of the Yellow Brick Bank, a great friend and wine genius. Laird is a walking encyclopedia of wine knowledge. Many a night Kerry and I have had the pleasure of sitting on his porch with his wife discussing our love for vino. I encourage you to visit and support Laird on his path of discovery of wine and culinary excellence.

Christian and David manage the Bavarian Inn restaurant and wine cellar. Join the conversation about wine and Grape Debate on www.wvObserver.com.