Whites
Everything You Need to Know About Aligoté: A Quick Guide
Aligoté is a neutral, high acid, white grape variety hailing from Burgundy, France. If you thought Burgundy whites were only made with Chardonnay, that is almost true ...Aligoté is the exception (only accounting for 6% of plantings). It is considered "the other white...
All You Need to Know About Garganega: A Quick Guide
Garganega (pronounced gar- GAN- egg-uh) is a vigorous, thick-skinned, late-ripening white wine grape almost exclusively found in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Garganega wines are best enjoyed when consumed while young and fresh. Garganega is the primary grape...
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...
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...
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...
All you need to know about Grüner Veltliner: A Quick Guide
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's signature white variety, known for its high acidity and 'green' vegetal or spice flavors/aromas - interesting benchmark descriptors include notes like white pepper, lentil, radish, and green bean! Styles can vary and you can get both...
All You Need to Know About Semillon: A Quick Guide
Semillon is a thin skinned, early ripening variety used primarily as a blending grape in many regions. Youthful or single-variety wines can be lighter (bodied) and very bright with some herbal and citrus notes. However, if given five to ten years, these...
All You Need to Know About Gewürztraminer: A Quick Guide
Gewürztraminer is a pink-skinned white wine variety that is considered very "aromatic". This means it is full of pungent FLORAL aromas and flavors. For many, it's a 'love it or hate it' variety. For me, I have to be in the right mood, but when that mood...
All you need to know about Torrontés: A quick guide
Torrontés is a very aromatic white grape that became widely popular in Argentina (although may have originated in Spain). If you are a fan of extreme citrus and floral flavors, this is a wine you need to get your hands on. A few more notes on Torrontés: It is a cross...
All you need to know about Viognier: A quick guide
Viognier is a full-bodied white wine that is rich and often very floral! This exotic variety is generally golden in color, dry, and can be oaked or unoaked. All styles are delightfully scrumptious. Viognier originated in the Rhône Valley (in Southern France). The...
All you need to know about Albariño: A quick guide
Albariño is a fantastic crisp and bright wine that pairs wonderfully with seafood. Albariño is one of Spain's signature white wines, mainly from Rias Baixas in Galicia (which is on the northwestern coast of Spain). In Portugal, it is known as Alvarinho. Albariño wine...
All you need to know about Chenin Blanc: A quick guide
Chenin Blanc is a fantastic white varietal that can be made into many styles, from dry, to sweet, to sparkling! It is very versatile, but doesn't always get the attention it deserves. The grape originated in the Loire Valley of France (a region north of...
Reds
All You Need to Know About Aglianico: A Quick Guide
Aglianico is a black grape native to Southern Italy. The variety is most famous for the wines it produces in the region of Campania and Basilicata. Wines made from the Aglianico grape were virtually unknown to much of the world just 25 years ago. They have made great...
All You Need to Know About Pinotage: A Quick Guide
Pinotage is South Africa’s flagship red varietal, specifically in Stellenbosch along the Western Cape. A cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir, Pinotage is favored for its balance of dark fruit, spicy, and meaty flavors. The intentions for breeding Pinotage were pure....
All You Need to Know About Tannat: A Quick Guide
Tannat is a varietal known for making deeply tannic and intensely flavored red wines. Named after said tannins, Tannat is so richly flavored that it is often blended with other grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its complexity makes it a wonderful food...
All You Need to Know About Mourvèdre: A Quick Guide
Mourvèdre is a small, dark, thick-skinned variety that can only grow and thrive in hot, dry areas with ample sunshine to ripen fully! Pronounced Moor-veh-drrr. It is known as Mataro in California and Australia, and Monastrell in Spain and South Africa. Mourvèdre is...
All You Need to Know About Pinot Meunier: A Quick Guide
Pinot Meunier is a light and aromatic red variety with a good amount of "juicy" fruit. It's similar in style to Pinot Noir, which makes sense since it's a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. (Genetic mutation = a slow and natural reproduction of cells,...
All You Need to Know About Barbera: A Quick Guide
Barbera is a dark and juicy grape grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. In fact, it is the most grown grape there. It was once known for everyday drinking wines, but is currently getting more recognition for quality and (along with many other Italian reds) pairs...
All You Need To Know About Malbec: A Quick Guide
Malbec is the most well-known red grape from Argentina, although it originated in France as one of the 6 Bordeaux blending varieties (however, it's used in minimal quantities now). It's a dinner crowd favorite as it's velvety and easy drinking (but also structured) A...
All you need to know about Grenache: A quick guide
Grenache is a thin-skinned red wine that is similar to Pinot Noir with its fruity flavors and bright acidity. The fuller body and ripe fruit consistency put it in a somewhat different camp, though! There are different expressions of this grape depending on the region,...
All you need to know about Carménère: A quick guide
Carménère is a red wine variety that is quite often full of bold cherry, plum, pepper, and spice. It originated in France, but little is found there today after being almost wiped out by phylloxera. 98% of Carménère is grown in Chile! A few more notes on Carménère: It...
All you need to know about Sangiovese: A quick guide
Have you had a good Chianti lately? If so, you have tasted the delicious variety known as Sangiovese! Sangiovese is Tuscany's most important red grape. It's used in Chianti, Chianti Classico, and 'The King' of Tuscan wine: Brunello di Montalcino! The following guide...
All you need to know about Cabernet Franc: A quick guide
Cabernet Franc is a red wine variety with a lot of power as well as elegance! The grape originated in Southwest France, with clippings eventually brought to The Loire Valley, where you will find some of the best! A few more notes on Cabernet Franc: It is a parent...
All you need to know about Nebbiolo: A quick guide
Nebbiolo is known as "King" of red wine in Italy. This variety is big, bold, and high in everything (acid, alcohol, and tannin). It is a POWERFUL grape! The funny thing about Nebbiolo is you would never guess it would be so intense! It is lighter in color (often soft...
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