Like many people right out of college (where, let's face it, Milwaukee 's Best beer is the drink of choice), my friends and I had zero wine savvy until recently. When we got together, we usually brought the first boxed wine or largest $10 bottle we saw at the store. Living on small budgets and knowing little about the hundreds of wines to choose from, it's the best we could do.

But after venturing into the professional world, where the occasional business lunch or dinner arises, we realized just how little we knew about wine and decided we should learn a thing or two. Wine's been a popular drink in social situations for hundreds of years, and knowing a little about it prevents embarrassment among new colleagues, makes buying a bottle easier, and provides more enjoyable drinking experiences.

Read up on these guidelines for distinguishing wines and pairing them with food, and you'll order that Viognier with confidence the next time you're out.