There is a difference in the phrase "judging wine" here: 1) "I can identify from the wines you have previously liked that you are likely to like this particula

There is a difference in the phrase "judging wine" here: 1) "I can identify from the wines you have previously liked that you are likely to like this particular wine that I have personally tasted." If you find someone good, this is generally not bullshit. They are incredibly useful. And they will probably like you very much if you just be very honest about what you like. Sadly, only two wine buyers I have ever known who were this good. This is like having a friend who has a house full of CDs or records that he listens to all the time. If you tell him "I like X, Y and Z" he can tell you "You will almost certainly like Q, and you should take a flyer and give V a try even though you might not like them." 2) "If you give me a food, I can pair wines with it that will complement the flavors". Really good sommeliers can do this and it is not bullshit. This is the first category with a lot of experience tasting foods and wines together. And, like all humans, sometimes they get it wrong. My most fascinating conversations with sommeliers have been when I didn't like a pairing, and I made polite comments about it (for example: "I liked the pairings of the first and third courses, but the second course wine, which was fine by itself, really wasn't to my taste with the food. My wife liked the second and third pairings, but wasn't a fan of the first."). Be forewarned: if the sommelier has the time and latitude, you are likely to get interrogated if you show some interest. CAUTION: You may also wind up drinking far more wine than you expect. 3) "I can identify a Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010 Pauillac Premier Grand Cru Classe from a glass." This is where the giant heaping mounds of bullshit enter. Unless a wine has a very unique flavor profile that makes it stick out from wines in general, they're not going to be very distinguishable from other similar wines of similar class. And, you know what, it doesn't matter. Your palate may not even like that very expensive bottle of wine. So be it. At the end of it all: drink some wine you are likely to enjoy. Most of the time it will be pleasant. Sometimes it will be a miss. Now and then it will be superb. Relish the moment.