Category: Wine & Grapes

Almost all the wine we drink is made from various varieties of Vitis vinifera, a grape native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. There are more than 10,000 varieties of this genus of grape. Continue reading →

While most countries produce a variety of wines, they also have a signature export wine and grape variety. The University of Adelaide in Australia tracks this and presents the signature variety for the top 25 wine-producing countries. Continue reading →

When people speak of red wine blends, Bordeaux invariably is in the conversation. Here is a quick primer on the region and its blends. Continue reading →

Deep ruby-inky black color; black fruits, blackcurrant, bacon, smoke on the nose; blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, meat, tobacco on the palate. Continue reading →

Beaujolais is a lovely French region sandwiched between Burgundy and Lyon. Last century, it was known for its kitschy, flash-in-the-pan plonk—Beaujolais nouveau. Today, it is known for being the next big thing in quality wine. Such are vino’s vicissitudes. Continue reading →

“Ripeness” may be a winemaker’s most important decision. Ask three different winemakers their definition of ripeness, however, and it is possible you will get six different answers. Ripeness is just that complex. Continue reading →

New year. No matter if you look back on 2022 with a sigh of satisfaction or you are grovelingly thankful to survive another solar circumnavigation, time for optimism. Continue reading →

Champagne and prosecco are sparkling wines. Both can be delicious, liven up an event, pair well with many foods. But they are completely different wines. Comparisons: Continue reading →

Pale gold color; pineapple, mango, milk chocolate on the nose; ripe peach, pear, apricot, honey, green apple, Meyer lemon, lime, beeswax, minerality on the palate. Continue reading →

The U.S. wine industry enjoyed its largest year-over-year increase in direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales in 2020. Much can be attributed to COVID-19, but even if you bought online because of pandemic fears, many will stay with DTC because of convenience and expanded choice. Continue reading →