The Nose Knows

MetroActive.com has, in my mind, one of the best introduction to wine tasting articles I've read on the web. The piece, which initially sets its focus on why smell is so important to wine consumption, then goes on to break down the tasting process step-by-step. The author breaks down what different tastes and sensations in your mouth mean about a wine (tingles on the side of the tongue means acid, too dry means a lot of tannins and needs aging, etc.), as well as provides ways to help improve your palate. If you're interested in wine, maybe even familiar with terminology but too intimidated to take a class, this is a great way to get your feet wet.

From MetroActive:

The various aromas and structure are clues to the type of varietal and country or region of origin. For instance, a California chardonnay will taste different than one from France. This is due, among other things, to the differences in climate, soil and grape growing conditions. California has a longer growing season, for instance, allowing the grapes to stay on the vines longer, producing more fruit-forward wines. In France, with a shorter season, grapes are picked sooner, resulting in less fruit on the palate and earthier characteristics.