Viticulture is the technical term for the study of vine cultivation, where the term "vitis" refers to the genus of grapes used in wine. Although, there are about 10,000 grape varieties, very few are used in winemaking.  
 
Wines differ in taste depending on the grapes, their vinification, their age, and also where their grapes are grown. 

The climate and soil of the vineyard has a significant impact on flavour, and certain grapes will flourish only under certain climatic conditions.

A vineyard needs to be open to plenty of sun throughout the day.  However, too much heat, freezing temperatures, or rain will destroy the grapes. 

The land must also have the correct soil balance, which affects the character of the grape. It must be well drained, and have the appropriate pH for the type of grape(s).

The minerals of the soil are more important than fertility; they impart aroma and taste to the grapes. 

The winemaker's art owes much to his viticultural knowledge and expertise. These skills allow him to use the viticultural 'strengths' of an area to create the optimum quality wine at the optimum cost. 

Often the preferred vines for wine produce a low yield because of poor soil, making the roots

work harder for nourishment. Invariably these grapes, if ripened, will be of superior quality and rich in natural sugars.

Wine is cultivated throughout the world, with each wine region having unique characteristics that influence the style and tasteof its products.

Wine makers pay careful attention to the cyclical weather trends in their region. A constant analysis of a vineyard's soil and microclimate is essential to develop the perfect wine.

Vintners hope for particular weather conditions during certain months. For example, a September with too much rain can hinder the harvest; an early frost can destroy that year's vintage. Wine makers must take these factors into consideration and adapt their wine production to the area's weather trends.

Many vineyards offer tours of their grounds for wine enthusiasts and tourists alike. These tours demonstrate the processes that contribute to the production and offer guests the opportunity to sample the vineyard's product and savor its quality

Wine is an art, its characteristics varying as much as the strokes of a paint brush.  While wine, like art, can be very subjective, there are some general "guidelines" by which wine connoisseurs pass judgment.

What makes a wine not just good, but exceptional? In the best wines, the sweetness of the grapes is balanced with their acidity.

Climate changes, regional or seasonal, affect the taste of the grapes.  A good growing season will produce a better tasting grape, and ultimately a better wine.  As a result, each year the wine, or vintage, may taste different because the grapes are different.

Wine charts are often divided into sections according to region, sharing both general climatic profile and soil composition. These wines are then ordered according to each year they were produced.

The wine is then given a grade based on its taste, aroma, balance, and other qualities along a point scale.  Some charts are based on a 100-point scale, others on a 10-point. 

Sometimes the numbers are replaced with symbols that indicate if a wine is ready for consumption, or if it needs to age.  There is a wide range of chart styles, be sure to read the key (if provided), but mostly be sure to take advantage of the wealth of information they offer.