The best wine is the one that you like, period. Do you know why you like it? A wine tasting can allow you and your guests to learn about wine and experience new varieties. There are hundreds of Spanish wines on the market, so what better way to learn about them than to buy several, taste them, and share your reaction?

Below is a wine scale, used to evaluate a wine. It is based on a wine scale, originally developed by Dr.

Maynard A. Amerine, Professor of Enology at the University of California, Davis in the 1950's. Using a scale might seem too formal, but it helps tasters focus on the various elements of the wine's taste and smell, to determine their overall impression of the wine.

Wine tasting with friends can be fun. "Blind" tastings, where the label is hidden can be very educational, as well as entertaining. Simply place the bottles of wine into paper bags, covering the labels, and write a number on the outside. Let everyone taste and rate them. At the end of the tasting, reveal the wines. You and your guests can jot down the name and vintage of the wines they liked.

Learn How to Taste Wines as About's Guide to Wine describes how to use your basic senses by looking, smelling and tasting wines.

Description & Points	Wine 1	Wine 2	Wine 3	Wine 4	Wine 5	Wine 6
Clarity  Brilliant, crystal bright = 2.0   Clear, clean = 1.5   Translucent, slightly dull = 1.0   Cloudy, hazy (has sediment, is turbid) = .5
Color  Typical for type and age = 2.0   Nearly correct, attractive = 1.5   Slightly off, too dark, too light = 1.0   Off, Maderized, brown, no color = .5
Bouquet  Varietal, complex, flowery = 4.0   Fruity, pronounced, developed = 3.0   Clean, pleasant, scented, delicate = 2.0   Simple, underdeveloped, elusive = 1.0   Defective, off = 0.0
Acidity  Balanced, appropriate = 1.0   Slightly low, slightly high = 0.5   Flabby, insipid, tart, vinegary = 0.0
Sweetness  Appropriate, balanced, normal = 1.0   Slightly sweet, slightly lacking = 0.5   Syrupy, very lacking = 0.0
Body  Appropriate, velvety, silky = 2.0   Smooth, even, pleasant = 1.5   Thin, heavy, uneven, awkward = 1.0   Rough, course, clumsy = .5
Taste  Varietal, complex, mature = 2.0   Fruity, layered, robust, rich = 1.5   Agreeable, clean, simple = 1.0   Off, chemical, lacking = .5
Bitterness  Normal, balance, appropriate = 1.0   Slightly bitter = 0.5   Off, bitter, harsh = 0.0
Finish  Long lasting, appropriate for age = 1.0   Tapering, nearly correct = 0.5   Short, harsh, off = 0.0
Quality  Noble, elegant, grand, distinguished = 4.0   Charming, stylish, fine, graceful = 3.0   Skillfully made, finesse, sound = 2.0   No exceptional features = 1.0
Total
More Information  Wine Name  Producer  Vintage Year  Region Name