European Vine Selections, aka "the wine shop on 15th," has been an unintimidating resource for good wine (with lots of bottles under $10) on Capitol Hill for 25 years, and every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. they host a free wine tasting from a different region. The place is owned by eight partners, including an oceanography researcher at University of Washington, a music professor at Cornish College for the Arts, a scientist at Microsoft Research, an attorney, the communications director at Seattle Center, and—often found behind the counter—Doug Nufer, who is a civic treasure of both friendly, low-key wine knowledge and experimental writing.