Wine tasting has long been one of the great pleasures of the world. Although with Hundreds of wines produced every year, choosing a wine can be confusing, especially for the beginner.

However, some simple considerations can make choosing a wine easier and more successful.

First, If you are able to taste the wine, do it. Trust your taste buds, even if the wine is suppose to be a "good" wine, it may not appeal to you. If you are not able to taste the wine, there are some other hints to remember.

It is important to notice how the wines are kept in the store. The temperature should be cool, because heat and light can affect the wine's taste. Keep this in mind, especially during the summer months. Next, look at the bottle and check the fill, it should be up to the neck, be careful not to purchase wines with a low fill. Also, make sure that the cork has not leaked. If this has happened, it means that air is getting in the bottle and causing oxidation of the wine.

Most often than not, the label has an influence over whether we purchase the wine or not. Some might like the look of it, but ultimately the label holds information that is helpful in making the right choice.

Typically, the wine's vintage and origin are listed. Usually most white wines and many reds are best within 3 years of their vintage. Unless of course, the wine is one that ages well, but bear in mind the price will also increase with time. Be weary of old wines that are low in cost.

The price of a good wine does not have to be expensive. Affordable wines are priced between $6 and $15(US) and offer a variety of flavors to compliment any meal.

Australia, California, South Africa and Chile are just some of the places that offer tasty and reasonably priced wines.

As with storing wine, the serving temperature should also be considered. It is a fact that temperature affects our taste buds. The warmer a liquid, the sweeter it will taste. Therefore a sweet white wine if served too cold will be less sweet, but as the temperature rises, the sweetness will return.

When it comes to red wine, the tannin (the substance derived from the grape skin, seeds, and stems) is affected, so if the wine is too warm it can taste bitter. Try chilling the wine slightly. Usually ten or twenty minutes in the refrigerator will be enough.

Above all, don't be afraid to experiment, wine tasting is fun and is a great way to bring a new facet to your favorite meal.

© Melt Magazine 2001