Stainless steel tanks aren’t as sexy as oak barrels or clay amphoras, yet they’re the essential tool for modern winemaking.  In the grand scheme of things, stainless steel is brand new to winemaking. It first emerged in the 1950s, becoming essential for today’s...

There is no bigger injustice to wine than drinking it at the wrong temperature. This is not a dramatic statement; it is an accurate one. Wine temperature is the single most underrated factor influencing the enjoyment of wine. It can significantly change the perception of aromatics, alcohol, tannins, sweetness, and acidity in wine, completely altering its balance.

In a region known for Tempranillo and Rioja blends, it’s easy to forget about Spain’s fine white wine grape, Verdejo. Known for being refreshing, balanced, and delicate, this white wine grape is found almost exclusively in northern central Spain in the province of...

As the wine industry grows across the United States, hybrids have become way more trendy. A hybrid grape is produced from two different species of grapes: Vitis Vinifera and usually a native American grape. Vitis Vinifera includes the traditional European wine grapes...

When you hear the term “bulk wine,” you probably picture a cardboard box with a glossy picture of a glass of splashing red wine. Or maybe you imagine a large glass jug gathering dust on the bottom wine rack at your liquor store. This term does not command much respect...

Everything you need to know about the region’s “Nouveau wines”, “Premium wines” and future

Why they are necessary and important There is a common misconception among wine consumers that if their wine is a blend of different grape varieties, then it is of inferior quality, a hybrid, a mere “muggle” wine! This cannot be further from the truth. In fact, the...

Picture this: You’ve just poured yourself two glasses of Cabernet (what a treat!), one from the Margaret River in Australia and the other from Napa Valley in California. You swirl both glasses and really get your nose in there. You sip each and note their differences....

Champagne has always been synonymous with festivities, celebrations, and toasts. Recently, however, it is being regarded as so much more than that: a well-crafted sparkling wine to be enjoyed, analyzed and assessed, because sparkling wine, above all else,...