Certain things in life should be stressful. Moving cross-country. Living on a budget. Shedding ten pounds.

Picking out a good bottle of wine shouldn’t be.

Which is precisely the idea behind Vintage Berkeley, a wine store in the old water pumping station on Vine Street — a space that’s all chunky wooden beams and concrete chic. But the emphasis is on the wine, and all traces of intimidation and pretension have been eliminated.

The selection includes smaller, artisan wines that you’re not likely to find at other places around town: mountain-grown malbecs from Argentina, inky syrahs from Walla Walla, Basque blancos, and Canadian ice wines.

Education classes, free nightly tastings, and affordable prices (most bottles are less than $20) enhance the experience.

Meaning that selecting wine — much like drinking it — can actually alleviate stress.

Just as it should.

Vintage Berkeley, 2113 Vine Street, between Shattuck Avenue and Walnut Street, Berkeley (510-665-8600 or vintageberkeley.com).