I am admittedly not a connoisseur of fine weeds and whats considered "fire".
Lets get back to basics.
By definition a "connoisseur" is someone with special knowledge. That comes with EXPERIENCE. If you can intelligently describe the differences between many different kinds of weed based on a wide experience trying all sorts of different ones, then you are a "connoisseur".
I will state for the record, that I am NOT a connoisseur when it comes to weed. That said, I strongly suspect that many of the ones who claim to be connoisseurs of cannabis really aren't. Instead, they're just "poseurs" or "snobs" (or in some cases, both).
I smoke a decent amount and have for years. I can in general taste some differences in strains but for the most part its just good green weed to me. I can visually see what has better bag appeal... not that that is a skill. I grow and dont have any problems getting rid of it.
IMO, like the differences between wines, a lot of the differences between weed strains are more subtle (or even imaginary) than real.
There are legitimate differences in scent and taste, though I think these greatly decrease when the weed is actually burning, as opposed to sitting in the jar/bag, and many different so-called strains, really aren't all that different from one another. There also are differences in effect, though again, there are maybe a few general classes here, with most being more similar than different.
so how do I refine my pallet and how do you find the keepers?
"Palate".
The answer is you try a whole bunch of different things, as many as you can, then you decide what the differences are, and what you like, what you don't like, and why. This is largely subjective.
On finding the keepers, same thing. You grow out a wide variety of different plants, learn what you like, what you don't like, why, and then keep the ones that you like. There is no real secret here.
In GENERAL, people do their selections for "keeper" plants based on potency, effect, and flavor; as well as grow characteristics including flowering time, yield, and overall plant structure including stretchiness.
Or are you guys just a bunch of weed snob nerds that have a lot of maybe-history of different strains and like to chat about it on forums.
I think this is certainly the case of some. . .though clearly not all. . .posters here.
Or should I go back to weed the same way I drink wine. If it tastes good, doesnt give me rot gut the next morning and doesnt cost my left nut, its good wine. I cant tell you if it has an oaky flavor with a hint of blah blah blah.
I think this is exactly right.
But note that you don't have to know or use the (IMO somewhat pretentious) language of wine snobs to be a conniosseur of wine. That kind of language can help communicate ideas between wine lovers, but its neither sufficient nor necessary to understand the differences or enjoy the wines.