What Are Wine Tannins? Your Complete Guide to Understanding Red Wine’s Secret Ingredient
Why do some red wines make your mouth feel like the Sahara desert? The answer is tannins—and here's everything you need to know.
Thinking About Drinking
Thinking About Drinking
Category Guides
Keeping it Cool: A Beginner’s Guide to Serving Wine at Temperature
Serving wine at the right temp is a tiny detail that makes a huge difference. It brings out all the good stuff—crispness, aroma, depth. Think whites that actually taste refreshing, reds that feel smooth and cozy (not flabby or flat), and bubbles that sparkle just right. But don’t worry—you don’t need a wine cellar or a PhD in thermodynamics.
Friday Wine FAQ: Sweet vs. Fruity Wine – What’s the Actual Difference?
Ever sip a wine that tastes like a fruit salad but get told it's "bone dry"? Let's decode this wine mystery once and for all.
Can A Wine Varietal Contain Other Grapes?
In the U.S., a wine can be labeled with a single grape varietal (like “Chenin Blanc” or “Grenache”) as long as it’s made from at least 75% of that grape. That means up to 25% of the wine can come from other grape varieties and still wear the varietal label like a name tag.
Backyard Bottles: What to Drink at Your Memorial Day BBQ
Memorial Day is here, and you know what that means: summer has clocked in, the grill is heating up, and it’s officially barbecue season. There’s something about a backyard barbecue that makes everything taste better. Maybe it’s the smell of…
From Hot to Cool to Continental: Key Wine Climates
From saline breeze to sunbeams, climatic factors are among of the biggest influences on how wine tastes—and how grapes grow. It affects everything from sugar and acid levels to when grapes are harvested and how long a wine can age.…
Gemini Season Vinoscope: Astrology for Wine Lovers
Gemini season is about the magic of motion, mischief, and momentum—and the perfect wine to match.
44 Wines, 3 Hours, Zero Regrets: What I Learned at My First Big Industry Tasting Event
Last Friday, I had the chance to attend my first big wine industry event—the Wine Spectator Grand Tour. Sure, I’ve done dozens of wine classes and comparative tastings, including a handful of walk around tastings but nothing with nearly the…
What a Vine Wants: The 5 Essential Ingredients for Growing Great Grapes
And a grapevine thrives on a perfectly calibrated cocktail of elements: warmth, sunlight, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide.