James Stark, Sheffield: California - reading Hugh Johnson's marvellous book A Life Uncorked recently and, when on holiday in Hong Kong last week, a copy of your very enjoyable memoirs [ Confessions of a Wine Lover/Tasting Pleasure ] I was struck when considering the recollections in both how little Californian wine I drink.  I suppose that I have been rather put off by a number of jammy-tasting high-alcohol monsters and very heavy Chardonnays a few years back. The result is that my cellar has fewer than four bottles, all Ridge. Can you recommend some wines to start exploring? me: Not with ease to anyone living in the UK...