We break down the basics—from buying strategies to storing and serving—and describe the characteristics of different grape varieties.

» Grape Varieties:
Understand the characterisics different grapes offer

» Glossary:
Our searchable compendium of wine definitions

Our favorite expert provides saucy answers to your toughest questions.

New for 08/27: What does "flint" or "gun flint" indicate in a tasting note?

Put your wine knowledge to the test with Wine Spectator's fun, biweekly quiz.

New: Aug. 21, 2008 - Wine and Cheese Challenge

In this constantly changing game, we randomly select four wines and mix up their tasting notes—you find the match.

Test your tasting skills in our biweekly mystery wine game. We give you a real tasting note; you deduce the varietal, appellation and age.

New for 08/14: This wine is rich and beefy, with plush smoke, blueberry, blackberry and spicy,...

Whether you're starting to learn about wine or you've been collecting for years, our online courses take your wine education to the next level. Share step-by-step tastings with friends and learn to get more out of each sip. Homework was never this much fun! Check our course catalog

New: Wine and Food Pairing
Free: Step-by-Step Tasting Guide
Learn Wine Forum: Got questions about wine? Ask your fellow readers here.

Learn to make perfect pairings!