Many of us love wine, but lack the purse that allows for expensive, "fine" wines. For that matter, I have found that if I want to enjoy wine regularly (which I do), I can't even afford $15 a bottle as that mounts up quickly in the old monthly budget. But fear not, budget oenophiles, good wines, even fine wines are available on a shoe string. Many people have already discovered the charms of Yellowtail and Two-buck Chuck (Charles Taylor) wines, to the point of these good wines being virtually ubiquitous on dinner tables everywhere. But did you know, or realize, that there are many, many quality varietals available through a host of other vineyards. Indeed, there are dozens of wines at half the price of Yellowtail, that produce a more sophisticated flavor, and are a more congenial match with most meals.

To taste and enjoy wines, you ought to know what the wine words are that are. Here is a swift and simple guide that will aid you know what the meanings are for. The wine words used most often to portray how tastes, looks and smells.

Feel free to grab this list with you to your next wine tasting and you will awe your friends with your extra information and terminology.

Aroma-This refers to the smell of a wine.

Austere-This term is used in tasting that express wines that are so young they have not they advanced an aroma that is detectable.

Balance-A well balanced wine is one where all the chief fixings, the acid, alcohol, fruit and tannins are all working so well together that none stands out from another.

It would be difficult to imagine a more notorious liquor than absinthe. Even though just about everybody has heard of absinthe, a much smaller number know much about it, and even fewer people have given it a try. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to reveal what absinthe really is, along with some of its history as well as its status today.

It is generally agreed that absinthe was first created as a medicinal tonic in the late 1700s in the village of Couvet, Switzerland, but there is a difference of opinion regarding exactly who the creator actually was. The anise-flavored tonic was claimed to have been invented by a French doctor named Pierre Ordinaire, but locals in Couvet said that, long before the appearance of Dr. Ordinaire, the Henriod sisters were doling out absinthe for medicinal purposes.

As in so many consumer product categories, it would seem that there is little room left for innovation in mature businesses like liquor. Most of the world's best selling alcohol brands have pedigrees that extend back for generations, if not centuries. Johnnie Walker scotch, Jack Daniels whiskey, Dom Perignon champagne, Heinneken beer, Pusser's rum and Stolichnaya vodka are just a few examples of seasoned products that are recognized and consumed around the world.

When an industry seems to be settled and stagnant, however, is actually when opportunity can be greatest for entrepreneur's seeking to roil the waters of staid competitors.

Most people have a general idea how many calories they consume when it comes to solid foods, although it is quite common to forget that when we drink, we are still consuming calories. Alcohol drinkers, especially wine drinkers, may be surprised at the calorie intake associated with wine. So how many calories are in wine?

The answer depends on your discernment. Most wines come in under the 100 calorie mark per glass. This is assuming that you are using the appropriate wine glasses. There are fewer calories in wine than most other alcoholic beverages. White Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc come in at 80 calories per serving. Considering that one glass of wine per evening is good for cardiovascular health, this can be a reasonable compliment to an evening meal.

Although the name Bourbon was commonly used, it was not until May 4, 1964 that Congress granted Bourbon official recognition as a "distinctive product of the United States" and enacted laws regarding production and quality standards.  The regulations state that "Bourbon" be produced from a fermented mash made with a minimum 51% corn.  The original flavor and color of the spirit cannot be altered or filtered in any way before bottling.  This differs from other whiskies that are filtered through charcoal to mellow or smooth out the taste).  A key point of the federal regulations requires Bourbon be stored and aged in new, charred white oak barrels for a minimum of two years.  The distinctive flavors, aroma and character of Bourbon are a direct result of aging in these barrels.