Whether you are on an elaborate wine tasting vacation, or just enjoying wines at your local restaurants, it is a good idea to make a note of the types of wine you enjoy. Keeping track of the wines you taste and what kinds of food you pair them with will help you the next time you want to select the perfect wine. Keeping notes on various wines can also come in handy if you enjoy entertaining. Always being able to check on the food and wines you feel go well together means your guests will enjoy your wine experiences too. The best way to do this is with a wine tasting journal.

One way to acquire a great wine tasting journal is to shop around your local book stores. These stores often carry wine journals. Sometimes these journals will also have handy wine guides with definitions and pairing recommendations attached. These journals can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. Be sure and select one that fits your needs.

Another option is to make your own wine tasting journal. This is a wonderful choice for those who can’t find wine tasting journals in their area or for someone who wants to tailor a wine journal to their needs. The first thing you’ll need is a good notebook. Select one that is small and look for one that is well-designed with a sturdy front and back. Leather is a wonderful option. Then you can decorate the journal to your liking. Add art to the cover or a nice ribbon book mark. Now you’ve got a journal that is one of a kind.

Finally, a few tips on learning to use your wine tasting journal. If your journal is small enough, you can take it in your pocket to every meal and outing to record your thoughts and the names of wines and foods you enjoyed them with. If you choose not to take it with you, make sure and write everything down as soon as you can, so you won’t forget the details of the wine and food and your thoughts on them. Now you just have to decide what you want to record. Some people choose to write just the names of the wine and rate them accordingly. Other people elect to write elaborate notes including specific thoughts or feelings they experienced when drinking the wine.