Take notes and get organized

As you start to try new wines and varieties, keeping track of what you have tried (and what you like and don't) becomes more difficult.

One easy way to do this is to buy a wine journal. There, you can take notes, write down wines and varietals you've tried and start to get a picture of what you like. Many journals have a place to write in a score. It is up to you to choose how and if you want to score. If nothing else, having a sense for how much you enjoyed a particular wine will help you as you form opinions about wines.

A Website that gives you the ability to peek into tons of other people's journals is Cellar Tracker (or its new version called Grape Stories). Both sites use the same database and contain over 1 million tasting notes generated by its user community. It is an absolutely great resource--it's free, but payments are encouraged if you use the cellar management aspects of the site.

Not only can you see which wines others are drinking and what they think, but it can be a great way to learn how to taste wine--what to look for in the aromas, flavors and finish. As you buy wine, it is great to check the site and see what the community thinks. Many times, you can find a hidden gem in a $9 bottle (or know to avoid an expensive bottle that isn't bringing what it promises). The site is a great place to keep your tasting notes as well.

Keeping track of what you've tasted and what you think really will help you expand your knowledge of wine and hone your skills in tasting.