Relatable and valuable pieces shared by wine students, industry professionals, and enthusiasts!
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...
The Future of Wine Packaging & a Brief History of Wine Bottles
The history of the wine bottle is rooted in innovation, yet today, the growing trend in sustainable packaging leaves many wineries to rethink their strategy. Personally, I’ll always have a personal preference for glass bottles. I love the weight of the bottle in my...
The Revival of Amphoras
Why are modern wineries using them and what is their effect on wine?If the merchants and royalty of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt could hop into a time machine and see the resurgence of amphoras today, they would be in awe of these basic vessels...
A Guide to Sulfites and How They Affect Wine
“Contains Sulfites,” two simple words found on the label of almost every wine bottle sold in the United States (and Australia), but why is that? Sulfites have naturally occurred in wine since the beginning, but the campaign against them is only getting stronger....
All You Need to Know about Oregon Wine Country
The making of Oregon’s wine country is a patient man’s game, to say the least. With erratic weather, a propensity for frost, and a Burgundian-like rigidity for rules, it’s a miracle this region is synonymous with some of the best New World Pinot Noir. Much like...
The Virginia Wine Tasting Guide
Virginia is a hot wine region right now. It’s a top ten region in both consumption and production, and the state is starting to get more respect from winemakers in top regions like California and Oregon. This is a result of the work that Virginia is doing to...
All You Need To Know About Washington Wine Country
When you picture Washington State, do you imagine rolling desert hilltops lined with vineyards and bountiful sunlight? Probably not. Most of us picture Washington as the gloomy, grey-skied Seattle. But just three hours east of those grey skies is an entirely different...
What is Biodynamic Wine? Your Questions Answered
Let’s be real. On the surface, biodynamic wine is a bit of a woo science, where moon cycles determine watering days and cow horns are planted between vineyards to improve the soil. There’s no doubt biodynamic farming is deeply spiritual, but it’s also rooted in...
Oxidation: From Flaw to Fabulous
Oxidation is a touchy subject in the wine world. It dances between being a flaw and a highly-pursued trait of many fine wines. For a wine to be oxidized, it must be exposed to oxygen, either accidentally or intentionally. First note, there’s a big difference between...
The Distinctive Wines of Alsace: French Terroir and German Legacy
Alsace hardly falls in line with the other French wine making regions, from the grape varieties planted, to the styles of wine produced, down to the bottles used. Considering its location, Alsace falls on the northeastern part of France on the...
All You Need To Know About Rioja: A Regional Guide
Did you know Spain is the world’s 3rd largest producer of wine? Or that Spain has the greatest amount of land dedicated to growing wine worldwide? Most of the credit goes to Spain’s fine wine capital, La Rioja. Known for making exceptional Tempranillos, you may be...
Core Contributors
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.
