If you’re just starting out with wine and you need some items, you might want to take a look at the pages covering Wine Bottle Openers and Wine Glasses.

We have also developed a simple guide called How to Taste Wine to prepare you for the “rigors” of wine tasting. Finally, if you’re going to have a formal wine tasting, take a look at Organizing a Wine Tasting Party for hints on the mechanics of hosting a successful one.

Use the Wine 101 Styles to Think about Wines

There are thousands of different wines on the market, and it is hard to know where to start. Wine 101 simplifies the problem by grouping all wines into one of eight wine styles. Our eight wine styles were created by grouping wines with similar characteristics. This approach allows you to learn about what to expect in lots of different bottles of wine, while only tasting a few.

Learn Your Favorite Style with Our Tasting Series

Wine 101 presents the eight wine styles in six separate wine tastings. Each wine tasting consists of two bottles of wine, and each is designed to familiarize you with some of the most common wine grapes and their wines. Tasting two wines side-by-side makes it easier to recognize the unique characteristics of each wine style. You’ll also learn important wine words along the way.

If six wine tastings are more than you can commit to, that is okay. Pick any of the wine tastings that interests you and give it a try. The important thing is to start learning about (and drinking) wine.

What to Do Next…

Read a brief explanation of the eight Wine 101 styles. After you have decided which wine style you would like to try, start with that tasting. Then, once you learn your favorite wine style, find others of that style to try in our wine reviews section.