Idiot’s guide to wine

Are you mystified when it comes to merlot? A hopeless bozo about Bordeaux? Never fear, Back to School With The Bottega: Wine 101 is here. The first Thursday of every month, The Wine Bottega in Boston’s North End will host tasting seminars for the chardonnay-challenged. The sessions promise informative lectures with answers to your questions about all things enological. Sure to make attendees think outside of the box - the box wine, that is - the seminars will also include a tasting of six different wines. First Thursday of every month. 6-8 p.m. $10 per person. The Wine Bottega, 341 Hanover St., North End, Boston. Reservations recommended. Limit of 15 people per seminar. 617-227-6607, staff@thewinebottega.com.