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Relatable and valuable pieces shared by wine students, industry professionals, and enthusiasts!
The Rise of Mindful Drinking and What It Means for the Wine Industry
Anyone paying attention to the alcohol industry is aware of the growing rise in non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages. First, there was Dry January, then Sober October, and many are making the change to a permanent fixture in their routine. So, what does that mean...
I failed my WSET Diploma unit. Now what?
How it felt, what I considered, and what I did the second time around.
All You Need to Know About Picpoul: A Quick Guide
Picpoul, also known as Picquepol Blanc, is a thin-skinned white wine varietal found mainly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France, where it's name is used in the name of the region Picpoul de Pinet! Translated from “stings the lip,” Picpoul is prized...
The Many Styles of Tokaji
I’m a big fan of sweet wines made from noble rot or botrytis mold. Complex and unique (they can’t be made every year), a recent trip to Budapest sparked my desire to dive into Hungary's Tokaji wines. Curious about tasting the range of the region beyond the Tokaji...
All You Need to Know About Vermentino: A Quick Guide
Vermentino is a thin-skinned, early-budding, late-ripening grape that thrives in a warm Mediterranean climate. This variety grows primarily in Sardinia, Italy, producing a unique, refreshing dry white wine with citrus aromas of lemon and lime, along with green apple...
Old Vines Beyond the Romance
Their effect on wine and the future of vineyardsThere is a lot of romanticism in the world of wine. An old vine is a perfect example of that. Its significance as a witness to history, culture, and its caregivers, generation after generation, is the epitome of romance....
Build a Blind Tasting Collection for Wine Study!
Every month I keep inventory at my own house for my own “cellar” (a full wine rack tagged and organized by country) and I have a system for pulling and adding new wines for blind tasting. You can follow this system to build up an evolving collection of wines for blind...
All You Need to Know About Txakoli: A Quick Guide
Txakoli pronounced cha-ko-lee is a lightly effervescent white wine made in the mountainous hills of Basque Country in Northern Spain. Known for its zesty acidity, subtle bubbles, and low alcohol, it’s a wine equally suited for your finest seafood dishes as it is day...
Noble Rot Wines: A Guide to the Premium Sweet Wines made from Rotting Grapes
The sound of ‘fungus attacked grapes’ spells doom to the ears of most. The image of rotting grapes in the vineyard is hardly a romantic one promising a good vintage. That is unless this fungus is the ‘Noble Rot’.Noble rot is a beneficial form of a fungus called...
Wine Industry Trends for 2024
It's a new year in wine! For many who study wine or work in wine, that means taking a look at what regions, styles, and overall trends are starting to hit the spotlight! A lot of trends for this year have been on the rise in previous years and are now becoming more...
The Case for Vermouth
For most of us, vermouth is that dusty bottle in the back of our liquor cabinets, reserved for that one time a year when we decide to try our hands (yet again) at being martini people. Little do we know of the history and artistry that has culminated over centuries to...
Aging Wine; Which wines age gracefully and what do they evolve into?
Wine’s destiny is to be enjoyed at its best. That might include drinking wine at the recommended temperature or matching it with the right food, but the prerequisite remains: opening the bottle when it reaches its full potential. The vast majority of the wines...
Core Contributors
Oliva Abramson
Olivia is a Washington-based freelance writer with a Level 2 Award in wines from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She has a passion for all things food, wine, and travel, though her heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not sipping on a glass of Washington Cab., she’s usually bikepacking, crocheting, or chillin’ in the sun with her dog Tater.
Rana Masri
Rana is a certified WSET3 and French Wine Scholar. She is a forever student with a passion for wine stories and converting wine drinkers to enthusiasts following their own wine journeys. Rana comes from the ancient land of wine Lebanon and currently lives in Dubai with her other two passions, her kids.
Is there a specific grape variety you’d like to add to our Variety Library? If so, I’d love to hear from you!
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