KCW, your timing is great. Last night after work I chose a dram from my bottle of Balvenie 10 years old. I totally agree with Robin; this is an excellent whisky. It is totally different than the more heavily peated whiskies from Islay and the Isle of Skye. Balvenie is made in Speyside, further east. I believe the distillery itself is right beside Glenfiddich, but I personally vastly prefer the Balvenie to Glenfiddich. It is beautifully balanced, not too sweet, not overly smoky or peatty. Given your tastes in wine, and that you generally don't drink hard liquour, I would say that the Balvenie is probably an excellent way to break into single malt whiskies. Then you'll be hooked, and then sampling all the variety that Scotland has to offer (including those delicious Islay malts!).