Ten things you need to know about wine

Wine is made by fermenting freshly gathered grapes. It can be red, white, rosé, sparkling or fortified.
There are no rights and wrongs. Nobody insists that you like carrots; it’s the same with wine. You like what you like.
Price is not always an indicator of quality. But if you spend €10-€20 on a bottle, it will probably taste a lot better.
Good glasses make a difference. Large tulip-shaped glasses make wine taste better.
Temperature matters. Serve a white wine too cold and you lose flavour (about 10 degrees is good). Warm red wine can seem soupy and alcoholic (aim for 18 degrees, cooler than most house temperatures).
Learning about wine should be fun and not feel like an exam. Work out what you like and what you don’t, and take it from there.
Start by trying wines made from the most popular grape varieties and the best-known wine regions. That will give you a good idea of what you like and what you don’t. Taking a few notes is a good idea.
Matching food and wine can make both taste better, but don’t get hung up about it.
Not all wine improves with age. Most wine is ready to drink the day you buy it.
Wines with screw caps are not inferior. Sometimes they are better than wines with corks.

How to Drink Better: If you find the world of wine a bit overwhelming – or even boring – here are several pointers worth knowing