From Champagne to the Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux to Burgundy, you probably think you’ve heard of every wine region in France. But even the motherland of terroir has regions waiting to be discovered, and one of the most exciting among them is Jura. Arguably France’s most obscure wine region, Jura’s wines are unusual, distinctive, and completely different from wines made anywhere else in the world. Which is exactly what makes this region so much fun to explore! Geography Jura is a tiny, … [Read more...]
There is perhaps no beverage on the face of the earth that pairs with food more readily than wine. Beer may have something to say when poured alongside Asian and Latin American cuisines, but in the vast majority of cases, truly invigorating pairings occur when wine is on the table. That is, until dessert comes out -- right? Wrong. Pairing wine with dessert has historically been thought of as a challenging process, but experimentation both at home and among experts in the food and wine … [Read more...]
Ah, vintage. It’s one of the most important signposts to look for on a bottle of wine, yet many casual wine enthusiasts don’t understand what a wine’s vintage has to do with its flavor or quality. The term is often thrown around with reckless abandon, and those “in the know” discuss vintages with great passion and interest. If you’re out of the loop, the whole thing may seem far more confusing than it is. Learning about vintages and how they related to modern wines doesn’t have to be hard, … [Read more...]
When it comes to wine regions that are heralded the world over for putting out some of the highest-quality products imaginable, France’s Loire Valley makes practically every shortlist. It’s the largest producing region in the country, and with a climate cooler than most other parts of France, Loire Valley wines tend to be approachable, easy drinking and full of lively acidity. The “Garden of France,” as it’s often called, the Loire Valley is a must-stop location on the list of any wine … [Read more...]
For those old enough to remember the state of wine in America during the early 1970s, one of the major things that comes to mind will be the shift away from generic wine labeling, replaced with labeling highlighting the actual grape variety or varieties utilized in the production process. Many American wine drinkers can count this as the beginning of their education about different grapes and how they relate to certain styles, and at the time, there was perhaps no grape that measured up to … [Read more...]
Italy is being recognized as a giant in the wine world more and more with each passing year. The country is known for producing some of the most intense and concentrated wines on the market, and Italy’s Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) certification helps to keep traditions and methods alive without hindering the winemaker’s creativity. While plenty of Italian wines end up in the cellars of enthusiasts worldwide, there is perhaps none that is coveted more than … [Read more...]
Even though South Africa has a long history of producing high-quality wine, most wine drinkers outside the country know little about it. With their unique classification system and grape varieties, at first glance it may seem like approaching South African wine requires a bit of a learning curve. The good news is that there are only a few terms and regions you need to know to get started on exploring this country’s remarkable wines, which bridge the gap between Old and New World wine … [Read more...]
There are few aspects of the wine world that confuse people quite as much as fortified wine. In many ways, fortified wine has a relatively poor reputation due to the fact that they’re often sequestered to holiday dinners, and this is just for the sweet varieties. Dry fortified wine gets even less attention -- many wine enthusiasts don’t even realize that it exists. The fact is, there are so many beautiful examples of Marsala, Madeira, Sherry and Port available on the market today that … [Read more...]
When most people think of great American wine, California tends to come to mind before any other state in the country. There’s plenty of reason for this bias, as California truly is home to some of the finest wine producers in the world. The state is known for many different grapes and styles, and Cabernet Sauvignon tends to gain the most attention when it comes to reds. Another grape that grows extremely well -- particularly in California -- is Pinot Noir, and there are some benchmark examples … [Read more...]
Today, most people think of vermouth as a liquor, thanks to its use in famous cocktails like the martini and manhattan. But in fact, vermouth is a wine with a history dating back millennia. While treated as a near-toxic substance in bars for decades, vermouth is making a comeback, with a wide range of styles and flavors available to consumers. If you’re looking for a fascinating new type of wine to explore, welcome to the wonderful world of vermouth! What is Vermouth? Vermouth is a … [Read more...]
The word “reserve” brings to mind many different things for different people. The very nature of “reserving” something makes one think that it’s worth keeping around; something you’re holding onto to enjoy at a later date. When it comes to wine, this is often the case, but the term “reserve” is not quite as cut and dry as many wine lovers would prefer. Some of the best wines in the world are likely to carry this label -- the trick is knowing how to wade through the sea of bottles that don’t live … [Read more...]
Bubbles. They’re wonderful things, aren’t they? From early childhood, we’re captivated by them, and their appeal doesn’t merely end when we enter second grade. Indeed, their fascination continues well into adulthood -- after all, are there many luxuries in this world finer than a steaming bath full of bubbles, or a tall glass of effervescent sparkling wine? The world of wine is an oddly conservative one, given that there are over 10,000 wine grapes in production at this very moment, and … [Read more...]
For centuries, wine has been lauded as a high art by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. It’s one of the reasons why many bottles sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars and continue to do so -- wine is serious and has always been thought of as being so. Along with such a degree of seriousness came with it a hefty amount of snobbiness, though, which can still be found within the industry. This is reason enough for many people to avoid the wine world altogether, which is truly a … [Read more...]
Northern Portugal holds a great deal of importance in the wine world, even if for reasons that many people are unaware of. The Douro region in particular is home to one of the world’s most fascinating wines: Port. Indeed, the region’s fortified wines are among the best in the world and can play a huge role in accenting the end of a meal (or simply relaxing by the fire). However, as beautiful as Port can be, it’s not the only reason to pay attention to the region, which is gaining a great deal of … [Read more...]
Sake is to Japan what wine is to France and scotch is to Scotland: it’s considered the country’s national drink. Yet there’s so much more to sake than the hot, clear liquor most Americans only drink at Japanese restaurants. Sake can be refined, savory, and complex. With just a few terms and facts under your belt, you can get started exploring this unique and surprisingly affordable beverage. What Exactly is Sake? Sake is an alcoholic drink made out three basic ingredients: rice, water, and … [Read more...]
Anyone who shops for wine on even a semi-regular basis has no doubt encountered the term “old vine” at one point or another. It’s commonly associated with Zinfandel (especially Zins from California), but the terminology gets utilized in a number of different circumstances -- and not always accurately. Understandably, some have come to associate wines that feature the term “old vines” with higher quality, but is that really the case? Whether you’re new to the term or you’ve been buying old … [Read more...]
For most of the 20th century, nothing from nowhere could beat the wines of France. If you were a wine lover living outside of continental Europe, particularly the US, you didn’t even think of drinking domestic wine, which was generally sold in jugs and mixed with sugar. French wine was the only wine considered worthy of veneration. The 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting changed all that. In one fell swoop, two California wines soundly beat the best France had to offer, and the reverberations … [Read more...]
When it comes to countries that are well-known as being some of the world’s top wine production regions, Italy will find itself on almost any modern list. The fact is, most people are familiar with the wines of Northern Italy, which are omnipresent on menus at Italian restaurants and tend to take up quite a bit of shelf space at even the best wine shops. The wines of Northern Italy are certainly impressive and can take any meal to the next level, but there are many other regions of Italy … [Read more...]
It’s a term that everyone who knows even just a small bit about wine has heard at least once before: "corked”. Since most people have only heard “corked” used as a negative descriptor, it certainly isn’t a word that brings to mind positive connotations. The extent of what most people know about wine that is said to be corked, however, is that it just isn’t going to taste very good. As far as the “why” and “how,” confusion tends to reign supreme. Corked wine won’t make you sick, but it sure … [Read more...]
At a certain point in some people's lives, wine becomes more than a simple pleasure to cap off the day -- it becomes a calling. This generally starts with a strong, vested interest in the origins and history of wine, which comes along with learning how to enjoy the beverage more thoroughly overall as a consumer. Then comes a turning point, where a person either chooses to be content with their knowledge and enjoyment of wine or take things one step further by learning how to make wine at home. … [Read more...]
There are a number of aspects associated with wine that cause divides for many people. None can quite compare to the influence of tannins, which can have a dramatic effect on a wine’s mouthfeel and texture. For the unfamiliar, tannins come from the stems, seeds and skins of grapes, as well as from oak barrels and certain adjuncts. The more contact these elements have with the wine, the more tannic it will typically be. Excessive amounts of tannins make a wine taste and feel “dry,” which can … [Read more...]
