Whether you are a dedicated oenophile or a beginner seeking to expand your knowledge of wine, there's no better way to learn than by tasting.

The book Essentials of Wine: A Guide to the Basics, by Harvey Steinman is a text book on wine that will educate beginners and will remain the de-facto basic reference you'll turn to throughout your life with wine.

If you're taking to the road - as in visiting wine shops, bars, tasting rooms, etc. -- you can take along Wine Spectator's Pocket Guide to Wine. This handy tote along sized book arms you with all the facts you'll need including the ABC's of wine tasting, profiles of the world's major wine regions and grape varietals, advice on buying, storing and serving wine, food and wine pairings and more.

The booklet Wine Spectator's Quick Guide to Wine Tasting covers how to hold your own wine tasting, including forming a tasting group, what's behind a wine label, suggested tasting flights and an extensive wine glossary.

What's especially nice about the tasting party plans is that you can taste wine at your budget level - the suggestions apply across the board. So know that this activity need only be as expensive as you want to make it. In fact, if you have a good wine shop nearby, get their recommendations for great bargains. Do a "blind tasting" and surprise your guests with how great wine doesn't have to cost a lot. The kit conveniently includes bottle covers and labels for blind tastings.

If you've been looking for a fun, non-intimidating way to learn more about wine, this book will feed your enthusiasm and help you understand, savor and appreciate wine in new and more sophisticated ways.

Wine Spectator's Ultimate Wine Tasting Kit includes:

• The Essentials of Wine - 240 page guide by Wine Spectator Editor at large Harvey Steinman.
• Wine Spectator's Pocket Guide to Wine - small carry along reference
• Quick Guide to Wine Tasting - includes how to host a tasting and more than 25 suggested tastings covering all wine types
• 2 Tasting Checklist Notepads with suggested descriptions for the tastes and aromas of both red and white wines
• 10 reusable bottle bags for concealing wine bottles during blind tastings
• 50 stemware tags for labeling wine glasses during a tasting
• 25 bottle tags
• Current vintages char
• Coupon for 2 free months of Wine Spectator magazine