So, we at The State News have compiled a basic guide to wine.

For the amateur

Start with wines in the middle of the spectrum; not too sweet or dry. For whites, go for a simple chardonnay and for reds, a basic merlot. These two varieties will serve as a base for the rest of your wine tastes.

For the experienced

So you’ve had your share of “Wine Wednesdays” at Beggar’s Banquet, 218 Abbot Road, and want to expand your knowledge of this age-old drink and tradition.

If you prefer sweeter white wines, taste a drier white wine (dry riesling) for a change or sip on a sweet red wine (port).

Start experimenting with the smells and color of wine rather than just paying attention to the taste.

If you’re looking for a step up from your usual merlot, try a pinot noir. If you like white wines, a nice sauvignon blanc would serve you well.

For the expert

You know what different kinds taste like without having to look at the bottle and which brands to stay away from, but how can you further your wine wisdom? If you know the methods of tasting wine, why not try something out of the ordinary?

There are kits you can buy to identify the different aspects of wine that assemble its aroma.

You also can experiment with cooking with wine and learning to pair particular wines with meals.

Wine and dine

Some wines and foods are produced to be paired, enhancing the entire experience for your taste buds. The general rule is simple — red wine with meat and white with lighter foods like fish and poultry.

If you’re just looking to taste wines to refine your palate and impress your friends, remember the cardinal rule: With wines, one should go from red to white and dry to sweet. Try to cleanse your palate after every drink with a dry cracker.

And always gently swirl the wine in your glass and get a whiff of the wine’s bouquet. That will make the flavors more intense and help you to identify different flavors in the wine.