It’s Friday, you finish work late and you’re in a hurry. Your friend’s having a dinner party and you said you’d bring the wine. The stakes are high because the workplace hottie will be there, too.

What’s a classy guy to do? Pick a wine with a cool label at a lame convenience store?

The answer is no. You can do better. You’re a classy guy.

Building up a personal repertoire of wine is essential for countless reasons – evolving your personal taste, general knowledge – but mostly for sharing wine with your friends.

I recommend building a personal list of a few wines that you like and want to share with your friends. Part of doing this is knowing where to buy wine on the fly – or you could even stockpile a case of it. Either way, never let the answer to “why’d you pick this one?” be “the dude at the gas station recommended it.”

And when you share it with friends (especially the ladies), they learn something too – both about you and the wine. So pick something you like. Make it personal.

I’ll give you a few value wines to get you going, but promise me you’ll also start some of your own hunting – alright?

You can begin a trusting relationship with your wine store as soon as they recommend to you one that you end up liking. Then go back and give some feedback so that same person can recommend something more attuned to your tastes.

That method is exactly how I found these at The Anderson’s General Store. They publish wine notes and have email alerts. Their wine department is fully loaded, not just with great wines, but also wine experts. They taste what they buy, and when they find a great small batch or closeout, they buy it all. A truly great wine operation.

The recommendations

Start exploring lesser known South American mega-value wines, which you can find here. I highly recommend Veramonte vineyard wines from Chile, too.

The Cabernet in particular works for so many foods it’s a major hit for under $10. It alone proves that South America rocks for value. For about double the price, Primus comes from the same vineyard with the same value status.

You can really help people enjoy their wine by doing your homework in advance. Your friends (especially your female friends) will enjoy hearing why you picked the wine and toast your role in a great evening. So make it happen.

Expert opinion contributed by JH, an entrepreneur, educator and wine aficionado from Ohio.

Mojito: the ultimate summer drink
Cubans gave the world more than cigars

Bond’s had one in Die Another Day (even though Brosnan was a little girly) and so has Sonny from Miami Vice. It’s the mojito, and it’s probably the most refreshing summer drink out there.

Before you get the simple and amazing drink recipe, here’s a quick background on mojitos:

• Has been compared to the American mint julep, but a Cuban version
• Was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway
• Said to have originated when Francis Drake tried to sack Havana in the 1500s
• Used to be made for medicinal purposes

And now, the recipe:

• 3 fresh mint sprigs
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 oz light rum
• Chilled club soda

In a tall thin glass (preferably a highball), crush part of the mint with a fork (or wooden dowel) to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with chilled club soda (or seltzer). Add a lime slice and the remaining mint, and serve.