The beginner's guide to wine tasting at home

You don't need a sommelier certification or a cellar full of Grand Crus to taste wine properly. All you need is a glass, some good light, and a little curiosity. Here's how to get started with wine tasting at home.

Start with the basics: look, swirl, smell, sip. Hold your glass against a white background and observe the color. Swirl gently to release aromas. Smell before you sip -- your nose does 80% of the work. Then taste, letting the wine coat your entire palate.

Try a side-by-side comparison: pick two wines of the same grape from different regions, or the same region at different price points. This is the fastest way to develop your palate and understand what you actually like.