Walk into any wine shop and you’re instantly faced with hundreds of bottles, dozens of grape varieties, and labels that seem designed to confuse rather than help. Order wine at a restaurant and you may feel like the sommelier is speaking a different language. Pick out a bottle as a gift and suddenly even the most confident person starts second-guessing themselves.
It doesn’t have to be that hard — and this page is here to prove it.
Whether you’re browsing a store shelf, studying a restaurant wine list, or shopping for someone else, the tips and articles below are organized to help you find your footing. Start with the General section if you’re new to wine and want some big-picture guidance, then dig into the specific sections for red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. The Buying Wine section covers the practical side — what to look for, how to decode a label, and how to get good value whether you’re spending $15 or $50.
General
Wine can feel like a subject with a steep learning curve, but most of what you need to know comes down to a handful of core ideas. These articles cover the big-picture questions that every curious wine drinker eventually asks — from how to read a label to whether older wines are actually better.
- How Best to Learn About Wine
- More on Learning About Wine
- What Wine Should You Drink?
- Wine — It’s an Experience
- Taking a Bottle of Wine to a Party
- What Can be Learned from a Wine Label?
- Special Designations on Wine Labels?
- The Differences Between Old World Wines and New World Wines
- Is the Shape of a Wine Bottle Significant?
- Other Tidbits about Wine Bottles
- Are Older Wines Better?
- Are Box Wines Any Good?
- How Long Should You Age a Wine?
- Natural Wine Corks Help a Wine to Age but Can Also Lead to Oxidation
- Why Do Some Wines Age Better than Others?
- Why Do Red Wines Make Your Mouth Dry and White Wines Don’t?
- What is a ‘Fine’ Wine?
- What is a ‘Refreshing’ Wine?
- Learning from the Color of Wine
- Wine - It’s Really Very Simple
- What is a “Table Wine?”
- French Wines - Simplified
- What Does the Term “Cru” Mean on a French Wine Label?
- Where You Drink a Wine Affects How it Tastes
- Aromas Play an Important Part in How a Wine Tastes
- Do All Wines Get Better with Age?
- What Makes a Wine Age-Worthy?
Red Wines
Red wines span an enormous range — from light and juicy to dark and tannic — which can make choosing one feel overwhelming. These articles help you understand what sets different reds apart and point you toward bottles worth trying.
- Choosing a Red Wine on the Store Aisle
- What Red Wines Should You Try?
- What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
- Are you Familiar with Barbera?
- It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time!
- What is a “Peppery” Zinfandel?Do You Know Primitivo?
- What is Red Burgundy?
- What is a Super Tuscan?
- Choosing a Good Chianti
White Wines
White wines are often the first stop for new wine drinkers, and for good reason — they tend to be approachable, food-friendly, and easy to enjoy. These articles will help you navigate the white wine aisle and discover some varieties you may not have tried yet.
- How to Pick White Wine on the Store Aisle
- What White Wines Should You Try?
- Do White Wine Have to be Chilled?
- Can You Say Viognier?
- What are the Differences Between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc?
- What is Zibibbo?
- Albariño - You Really Should Try It!
- What is Fumé Blanc?
- What is Chablis?
- The Amazing Sauvignon Blanc Grape
Rosé Wine
Rosé has shed its reputation as a sweet, summery afterthought and earned its place as a serious, versatile wine worth drinking year-round. If you’ve been on the fence, these articles might just change your mind.
- How is Rosé Wine Made?
- Rosé Has Changed
- Have You Tried Rosé?
- Not all Rosé is Sweet
- It’s Time for Rosé
- Rosé for Valentine’s Day
- It’s Okay to Drink Rosé in the Fall and Winter
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine isn’t just for celebrations — it’s one of the most food-friendly and under-appreciated categories in the wine world. These articles cover everything from Champagne and Prosecco to Cava and Lambrusco, along with practical tips for buying and serving.
- Sparkling Wines
- Sparkling Wines in the United States
- Sparkling Wine - It Goes with Everything!
- What’s the Best Way to Open a Bottle of Sparkling Wine?
- Should You Decant a Sparkling Wine?
- How to Pick the Right Sweetness of a Champagne or Sparkling Wine
- ‘Tis the Season for Sparkling Wine!
- Sparkling Wine - Champagne
- Italian Sparkling Wines - Prosecco and Asti
- Cava - The Spanish Sparkling Wine
- Lambrusco - The Sparkling Red Wine of Italy
- Not all Sparkling Wine is Champagne
Buying Wine
Whether you’re at a grocery store, a specialty shop, or a restaurant, knowing what to look for makes all the difference. These articles take the guesswork out of shopping for wine — covering labels, pricing, ratings, and how to get the best value for your money.
- Buying Wine at a Retail Store
- Can You Buy a Good Bottle of Wine at a Grocery Store?
- Choosing a Red Wine Along the Aisle
- How to Pick a White Wine Along the Aisle
- What “Frizzante” Means on a Wine Label
- What is Jug Wine?
- What Does “Estate” or “Estate Bottled” Mean on a Wine Label?
- Does the Weight of the Wine Bottle Reflect the Quality of the Wine?
- Ordering Wine At a Restaurant
- How to Deal with the Rituals of Ordering a Bottle of Wine
- What to Do When Offered a Taste of the Bottle of Wine You Ordered at a Restaurant
- Is Ordering the House Wine a Good Option?
- Let Your Own Palate be Your Guide When Selecting Wine
- Is the Wine Rating Point System a Good Indicator?
- Wine Scores: What About Those Below 80 Points?
- Is Price a Good Indication of a Wine’s Quality?
- Look for Unique Bottles of Wine on the Shelf When Shopping at Smaller Retailers