116 posts
Have you ever heard or read about a wine being described as “Bright?” You may have wondered what this really means. So, let’s take a quick look at “bright” wines. When someone describes a wine as “bright” they are referring to the fact that it has ...
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You may have come across a wine either on a wine list or on the store shelf that’s called a “GSM” and wondered what kind of wine it is. So, let’s take a look at this funny acronym wine. A “GSM” wine refers to a blend of three specific grape varietie...
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“Claret” (rhymes with Carrot) is a traditional British term for red wine from Bordeaux. The term is derived from the word clairet in French which originally referred to a light-colored, pale red wine that was popular in medieval England after Bordea...
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Acids are a key component of wine, alongside tannin, alcohol, and sugar. They contribute to the wine’s freshness, act as a preservative, and help keep the microbes in check. Acidity also gives wine its tart and sour taste. There are two main ways to...
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We know that wine is a lovely drink made from fermented fruit, but what exactly is in a bottle of wine? Water Wine is usually comprised of 80-90% water that is directly extracted from squeezed grapes. In rare instances, water may be added to dilu...
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There is a lot of wine ‘lingo’ that gets tossed around. And here is yet another phrase that is commonly used - grippy tannin. One of the components of a wine, especially a red wine, is its tannin. It is derived primarily from grape skins, seeds and ...
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Ireland does produce wine, but not in the traditional sense that many might expect from countries with extensive vineyards. The Irish climate, characterized by mild temperatures and significant rainfall, is not particularly conducive to growing the...
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It happens. You open and bottle of wine but don’t finish it. Now what? Well, you a have a couple of options. First, it’s best if you can limit wine’s exposure to air. Exposure to air will tend to take the life out of it. So, it’s best to use a dev...
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“Estate Bottled” or “Grown, Produced and Bottled by”: These terms mean: (1) 100% of the grapes were grown on a winery’s own vineyards (2) The grapes all come from within a single AVA (3) The wine was made by the winery on its own estate within the g...
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Sparkling rosé is a wonderful treat that is especially enjoyed during warm summer months. Sparking rosé is versatile, aesthetic appealing, sophisticated, light and balanced in flavor, and suitable for various social settings and occasions. These f...
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Wine can be beautiful shades of yellow, gold, pink, purple or ruby in color with pale, medium and deep intensities. But, where do all these beautiful colors come from? The final color and hue of a wine comes down to how the various types of wines a...
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When it comes to wines, there are two major categories of organics: ‘Wines made with Organic Grapes’ and ‘Organic Wine.’ Here’s a quick overview of each. Wines Made with Organic Grapes Wines made from organically grown grapes are much more commo...
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Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are two very popular white wine grape varieties that are considered go-to wines for many people just looking to enjoy a glass of wine. The differences of their aromas and flavors really depend on where they were grown,...
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As mentioned last time, non-alcoholic wine is actually is ‘real’ wine that’s been made from fermented grapes. It then undergoes processes to remove all or part of the alcohol. But, the lingering question remains - Is non-alcoholic wine any good? Esp...
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An up-coming Behind the Cork™ will feature a sparkling wine that is labeled as “Crémant de Bourgogne.” One might assume that this title indicates a style of sparkling wine. But, actually, no. Crémant de Bourgogne is actually the appellation for spar...
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Occasionally, when opening a bottle of still white wine and pouring it into a glass, you may see some tiny bubbles in the wine. And, if you use a bottle stopper and pump to extract the air in the bottle, you may see bubbles coming up through the wine...
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Much like France, Italy has a long tradition of wine. In the 1960s, Italy formalized their wine appellation system modeled after the French system. Under this system, each wine region in Italy was required to operate under strict rules for the types...
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Wine may be fermented and aged in a variety of materials including stainless steel, ceramic vessels, including concrete, and in oak barrels. Oak barrels add additional quality, character and smoothness to wines and can impart many flavors into the w...
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A Montepulciano (mon-ta-pull-channo) wine can be a bit confusing. Typically, the name of the wine either represents the type of grape used to produce the wine or, most commonly in Europe, the place where the grapes are grown. Montepulciano as you m...
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Have you ever seen a bottle of sparkling wine that has “Blanc de Noirs” on the label and wondered what it is? Here are a few facts about Blanc de Noirs: Blanc de Noirs is a term from the Champagne region in France. It is used to refer to champagne...
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Have you ever seen a bottle of sparkling wine that has “Blanc de Blancs” on the label and wondered what it is? Well, Blanc de Blancs is a term from the Champagne region in France. It is used to refer to champagne produced entirely from white grapes,...
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There seems to be a lot of information and some misinformation out there about the production of rosé wine. I’m not sure why this topic is so complicated or confusing. Rosé is quite simple and such a simple pleasure. So, let’s take a look at how rosé...
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As mentioned last time, non-alcoholic wine is actually is ‘real’ wine that’s been made from fermented grapes. It then undergoes processes to remove all or part of the alcohol. But, the lingering question remains - Is non-alcoholic wine any good? Non...
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Non-alcoholic wines have been around for years. But, you may have wondered: “What exactly is non-alcoholic wine?” “How is it made?” “Is it any good?” First, let’s look at non-alcoholic wine. It actually is ‘real’ wine that’s been made from ferment...
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The wine world will refer to a wine’s body, saying things like the wine is light-bodied, medium-bodied or full-bodied. And, while describing a wine’s body is common, it is not always well understood. So, what does wine body mean exactly and why shoul...
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In the wine world, there is such a thing as “Corked” wine. And, no, it doesn’t mean that the cork has been removed from a bottle of wine. Pulling the cork is usually a good thing. But, a “Corked” wine is actually a bad thing. You may have had “Corke...
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Both the use of an aerator and the process of decanting a wine provide the wine with further exposure to oxygen. This typically helps a wine to release any undesirable odors and, more importantly, to help soften the tannins in a red wine. Young red ...
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In winemaking, wood barrels impart textures, aromas and flavors into the final product. Wines can be fermented and/or aged in oak barrels anywhere from six months to two years or longer. Many red wines are aged in some type of oak barrels while f...
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Standard convention says that during the colder days of winter, a hearty red wine is the one to pick. And, while that’s not wrong, there are also white wines that are well-suited for winter drinking. Winter white wines are not the bright, fruity and...
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In years past in the U.S., red wine blends were sold by the jug as “Red Wine” or “Table Wine.” These were inexpensive wines that were blends of grapes, vineyards or even vintages. This history has led to some people believing that blends are of less...
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There are so many wine terms, acronyms and abbreviations that can be quite confusing. And, wine labels are often a place where this confusion is on display. In the U.S., the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which is part of the Treasu...
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When you open a bottle of wine, the first line of defense on the bottle is usually a foil ‘capsule’ that covers the cork. If you have a wine bottle with a twist-off cap, you’re good-to-go. But, if your wine bottle does include a foil capsule, you are...
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In wines, there is a wide spectrum of sweetness. Those that are not sweet are referred to as “dry” wines while those that are sweet are simple referred to as “sweet” wines. And, in the wine world, this all has to do with ‘residual sugar.’ When wine ...
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You may have noticed that making wine in concrete tanks seems like something new or a current fashion, but the practice actually dates back to the ceramic amphorae of ancient Greek and Roman times. Typically, wines are fermented and aged in either s...
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There are lots of confusing terms used in the wine world and the term “Estate” is one of those. Generally, when you see the word “Estate” on a wine label it means that the winery oversees all of the farming of the grapes. The winery may or may not ...
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Last time we looked at some of the reasons why a wine bottle might have a wax seal over the cork. Now, to the question of how best to remove the wax so that the cork can be extracted. Here are a few options: Probably the easiest way to remove a wax ...
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Occasionally, you may come across a wine bottle that has a wax seal over the top of the cork that somewhat covers the neck of the bottle. You may have wondered “Why is it sealed in wax?” and “How do I remove the wax so that I can get to the cork?” T...
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In recent years, box wine has become quite popular. But, a lot of wine drinkers are still on the sidelines wondering if box wine is any good. So, let’s take a look. It turns out that that box wine was actually developed and patented in the 1960s. Bo...
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You may have heard of wines being described as “dry.” When I started out learning about wines, I was told that the best wines are dry wines. But what does that really mean? The problem is that the term can mean a couple of different things. Some pe...
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I was recently enjoying a glass of white wine and, when finished, asked to switch to a glass of red. The host said “Oh, let me rinse that glass for you first.” I stated that it was not necessary, but he insisted that he ‘freshen’ my glass. While th...
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I was recently asked about the color of wine. Specifically, why does the color of a red wine vary, especially within the same variety. So, let’s take a look at the factors that affect a red wine’s color. As the grapes are harvested, they are piled ...
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Wine and cheese. They just go together. But, there’s actually a pretty good reason that this pairing typically works together so well. It’s due to the combination of an astringent element, wine, that gives your mouth a dry feeling and a fatty elemen...
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As discussed in the first two parts of this series, the wine making process begins with harvesting the grapes and then proceeds into fermentation. But, once the natural sugars in the grapes are converted to alcohol, the process isn’t over. The aging...
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Last time we began looking at the wine making process, starting with the grapes. While the grapes certainly are the most important ingredient in wine making, there is another very important ingredient - yeast. So, let’s take a look at the fermentati...
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Wine making, on the surface, might seem pretty simple. You take grape juice, add yeast and presto, you have wine. And, indeed, a wine maker did tell me that it’s that easy. But, he went on to add, making good wine is not easy! Wine does begin wit...
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It’s a common phrase used when wine goes bad — “It’s turned to vinegar.” But, has the wine magically transformed itself from something that’s enjoyable to drink to something that can be mixed with olive oil and poured over a salad? The answer is tec...
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During the winter months and the holidays, mulled wine is a very popular drink, especially in European countries. Partly by tradition and partly because it’s a warm drink that is enjoyed on cold evenings. There are many names for mulled wine includi...
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Decanting red wines is somewhat common. Decanting a white wine is less common. But, decanting a sparkling wine? Really? The answer is again, Yes! Decanting a sparkling wine may seem a bit unorthodox and even counter-intuitive, but a sparkling wine ...
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When one thinks about decanting a wine, usually it’s a red wine. Decanting a red wine is generally done for several reasons including allowing any trapped off-smelling odors to quickly dissipate, allowing the wine to “open up” to reveal greater chara...
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Sherry is an often-misunderstood drink. A lot of people think of it as something used in cooking or something their grand-parents sipped on. But, Sherry is actually a wonderful beverage that’s enjoyed by many, especially Spaniards, who sip the good s...
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Wines regularly get described by their aromas – floral, citrus, green apple, melon, herbal, cherry, plum and spice. But, Riesling – can it really include the aroma of petrol? A lot of people might assume a bottle of Riesling must have gone bad if th...
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A decanter is a great vessel to allow a wine to breathe. And, really any container will help a wine breathe. But, all too often, the decanter ends up looking like the one pictured here. This is a beautiful carafe and it’s a great addition to a bar o...
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You may have heard about pulling the cork on a bottle of wine and “letting it breathe.” Those that follow this practice may give the un-corked bottle thirty minutes to an hour before declaring that “the wine is now ready to drink!” While pulling the...
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Wines with the best “structure” will generally age most gracefully. Finding wines that will improve over time requires that you pay attention to a wine’s structure. What is structure? These are the primary components: Acidity - Wines lose acidity...
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It is commonly known that red wines age best. But why, you may ask, is that? Why can red wine be aged longer than whites? After all, they are both made from the juice of grapes! The answer has a lot to do with tannins and acidity, but residual sug...
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It’s a common belief with wines - an older bottle is better than a younger bottle. But, is that always so? If you’ve read some of my past blogs, you’d know that one of my favorite lines is “One of the first things to understand about aging wines is ...
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Several years ago, we took an initial look at Orange wine. Having recently been asked about Orange wine, I thought it would be worth another look. First, let’s get the most important point out of the way - Orange wine is not made from oranges. Lik...
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Winemakers sometimes co-ferment Syrah with Viognier. But, why would they combine a red-wine grape and a white-wine grape during fermentation? Well, this began in the Côte-Rôtie, a wine-growing region in France’s Northern Rhône Valley where Viognier...
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There’s a lot of chemistry that goes into making wine. And we learn from basic chemistry that heat is a catalyst. When heat is applied to a chemical reaction, it speeds things up. So, temperature plays a role in the fermentation of wine. The higher...
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Well, first let me start by saying you can never have too much wine, right? While that may be true, you can actually have too much wine in your glass. Pouring the ‘right’ amount of wine into a wine glass can actually enhance your enjoyment of the wi...
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Natural, organic and vegan products are becoming more and more popular. As consumers continue to seek out these products, producers are focusing on these markets. But, there seems to be confusion and misunderstanding when it comes to natural, organic...
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There are a lot of terms that are thrown around regarding wines. And, one that you may hear about in the warmer months is “refreshing.” But, what exactly does it mean for a wine to be considered refreshing? Well, in a word, it’s acidity. Acid is a...
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Nebbiolo is a grape that is grown almost exclusively in Italy. In the Piedmont region. And, most famously in Barolo and Barbaresco. The Nebbiolo grape is named for the Italian word for fog which is “nebbia.” This grape thrives in the cool and foggy ...
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Much like France, Italy has a long tradition of wine. In the 1960s, Italy formalized their wine appellation system modeled after the French system. Under this system, each wine region in Italy was required to operate under strict rules for the types...
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Sangiovese (san-jo-VEH-zay) is a famous grape from Italy. Some believe that this indigenous Italian grape dates back to the second century BC, where it was first known to be cultivated by the Etruscan winemakers of Tuscany. Literally translated from...
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Montepulciano (mon-ta-pull-channo), as you might guess by its name, is an Italian wine. You might also guess that it’s from a region or town of Montepulciano, Italy. There, you’d be wrong. Montepulciano is a beautiful medieval town in Tuscany, in ce...
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Fifty years ago, Soave was the most popular Italian wine in the U.S., it even outsold Chianti. Soave (“swah-vay”) is an Italian white wine made of Garganega (“gar-GAN-nehgah”) grapes grown around the village of Soave in Northern Italy. Soave means ...
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When a recipe calls for wine, one option is to use ‘Cooking Wine.’ But, have you ever wondered if ‘Cooking Wine” is the same thing as drinking wine? Well, there is such a thing as Cooking Wine. You’ll generally find it in the grocery store near the ...
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Oak has been used for thousands of years as a wine vessel. Going back to Roman times, it was an inexpensive and durable container for transporting wines over land and by sea. And, today, oak remains and important wine vessel. Oak barrels are someti...
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The wines of Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are some of the best in California, the United States and the world. They are both in northern California and located right next to each other. So, you might ask “Is there really a difference between these t...
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People have asked me “How did you learn so much about wine?” The simple answer is that I’ve been at it for years. But, for those who are new to wine, I suggest the following: Reading — Sure, like any subject, you can learn by reading books and magaz...
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There are a lot of terms used that make wines confusing. And, for American consumers, it seems to get even more confusing with French and Italian wines. The Italian term “Frizzante” is one of these seemingly confusing terms. Simply put, Frizzante me...
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I recently opened a bottle of red wine, poured myself a glass and took a first sip only be greeted by a bunch of sediment in my mouth. This was a Sangiovese that I hadn’t even thought about filtering first. But, I then noticed on the front of the bot...
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Imagine ordering a glass of a light, crisp fruity Sauvignon Blanc expecting the glass to look like the one on the left side of the photo. But, instead you are served a golden-brown glass of wine like the one on the right. You will have been given you...
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Last time we learned that the word ‘Cuvée’ means a blend. And, with Champagne it’s not only made from a blend of grapes but most often it is also a blend of wines made in different years. Therefore, these are non-vintage (NV) dated Champagnes. By bl...
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Have you ever come across the word ‘Cuvée’ (kü-vā) in the wine world and wondered what it really means? Well, you’re not alone. It gets tossed around on wine and Champagne labels a lot. And, it seems quite impressive when you see it. But, what exact...
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When wines get described you’ll often hear terms such as soft, smooth, silky, plush, firm, sharp and round. These are common textures we are familiar with when touching something with our hands. But what do these textures mean in wine? Simply put, a...
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Last time we took a quick look at organic wines and wines produced from organically grown grapes. But, now let’s quickly summarize what it means for a wine to be called ‘Natural’, ‘Bio-Dynamic’ or ‘Sustainable.’ Natural Wines Like so many other win...
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When it comes to organic wines, there are two major categories: ‘Organic Wine’ and ‘Wines made with Organic Grapes.’ Here’s a quick overview of each. Organic Wines For a wine to be labeled as ‘Organic’ it must only use organically grown grapes and ...
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During a past trip to the local grocery store it was pointed out to me that there is a section of wines with a sign above them referring to them as “Picnic Wines.” So, I was asked ‘What makes these picnic wines?’ Well, technically speaking “Picnic”...
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When I first became interested in wines, I remember asking if other fruits were used in the production of wines. After all, so many wines smell and taste like a lot of fruits other than grapes. So, if grapes are the only fruits used in wine making, h...
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Wine bottles come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Ever wonder what the significance is of the shape of a wine bottle? The simple answer is that wine bottle shapes are largely based on tradition. And, many of the traditions are based on e...
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Opening a bottle of wine would seem to be a no-brainer. You insert the corkscrew and pull the cork. Right? Well, I don’t know about you but in the past I’ve fought with a wine bottle, struggling to get the cork out. So, short of having a Sommelier o...
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For a lot of people, half the fun of opening a bottle of sparkling wine is popping the cork such that it flies across the room. Or an even more dramatic way is using a saber to knock the top off the bottle. And, the big spray that goes flying out of ...
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If you’ve every shopped for French wine, you’ll find their wine labels can be quite different than those in the U.S. And, somewhat confusing. With French wines, and others, the term Cru can show up on the label. So, let take a look at what that term...
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The first time that I saw someone holding their wine glass by the base I assumed they were a real wine snob. Now, maybe they were a wine snob, but there actually is a good reason for holding a wine glass by the base. Wine etiquette usually dictates...
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The common ritual when you order a bottle of wine is that the server will show you the bottle, open it and pour you a small amount. This can be a bit of a nervous moment if you don’t really know what you are supposed to do. But, it’s actually quite s...
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Have you ever opened a bottle of red wine that had turned brown? Or, seen a bottle of white wine that’s turned brown? Well, this is a real issue with wines - as they age. As wines age, they can become oxidized especially if the cork is not entirely...
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Last time we looked at brandy. Brandy is made from distilling wine with or without the solid grape matter. Grappa, on the other hand, is made solely from distilling the ‘leftovers’ from making wine - the fermented skins, stems and seeds from the gra...
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I was recently asked about brandy and Cognac and their various designations. So, let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between them. It’s easiest to start off with brandy. Brandy refers to a wide range of spirits, made mostly ...
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Rosé is a wine that is enjoyed in warm weather, by the pool, at the beach and by the lake. It’s wonderfully refreshing and pairs well with most foods. But, like wearing white clothing, rosé is generally not ‘in style’ after Labor Day. And that’s a ...
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I was recently asked about the differences between Sherry and Port. And while they may at first seem similar, they are actually quite different. Both Sherry and Port are fortified wines meaning that distilled spirits, like brandy, are added to the w...
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Ever wonder what “Vin Sec” means on the label of a bottle of Riesling? In French it literally means ‘dry wine.’ Riesling is a wine that is most famously produced in Germany where nearly half the world’s Riesling grapes are grown. Other great produ...
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While strolling through the wine section of my local grocery store, I was asked “Do you know what Jug Wine is?” My attention was drawn to a sign above the shelves that identified the section as “Jug Wine.” My first reaction was to state that it’s...
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In a recent blog, I wrote about sediment in wine. Those are the particle that are left in your wine glass or inside the wine bottle from tiny particles of grape skins, seeds and stems that are a natural part of wine making. And, other than being an u...
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It’s a common problem. You buy a bottle of wine that you want to server that same day. And you want it chilled. So, is the freezer a good option for quickly chilling a bottle of wine? Well, chilling a bottle of wine in the freezer is one method. But...
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Wormwood Photo by Simone Garritano on Unsplash You probably know Vermouth simply as an ingredient in a cocktail such as a Martini or Manhattan. But, did you know it’s actually a wine? According to records, vermouth was first produced in the late 18...
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Have you ever taken that last sip of wine only to find a nasty surprise either at the bottom of your glass or in your mouth? Sediment! It can be a very unpleasant discovery. But, luckily, it’s nothing to be worried about. Sediment is a natural bi-pr...
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There is a process used by some restaurant wine servers and Sommeliers that, at first might seem a bit odd or even a bit pretentious. When you order a bottle of wine, they first pour a small amount of the wine in your glass. They’ll swirl it around ...
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Last time we looked at a rather unorthodox way of storing an open bottle of wine — in the freezer. And then thawing it in the microwave. Well, that’s not the common advice. Here’s some of the the more typical ways to store an opened bottle of wine...
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Spring-time is a great time to start enjoying Rosé. It’s bright fruit flavors and wonderful acidity makes a nice chilled rosé very thirst quenching. And its bright pink hue just seems to go with all the beautiful blooms of the season. But, you may wo...
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Last time we learned that Marsala wine is not just for cooking. It’s actually a fortified wine that is sometimes made using the Solera system. A Solera is a system used for blending wines and is a way of keeping a consistent style of wine for years....
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It’s something that you see wine drinkers do - swirl their wine glass and then look at the ‘legs’ that run down the inside of the glass. And, often they’ll equate the quality of the wine with the legs by saying things like “Oh!…this wine has really g...
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Oak has been used as an aging vessel for wines for centuries. Wines get added flavors and complexity from being aged in oak barrels, especially new oak. But oak barrels are expensive. And they only impart flavor to wines during their first two to th...
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Early in my wine exploration, I was drinking a lot of inexpensive wine. Mostly in the $5 - $10 price range. And that’s where I did a lot of learning. When I’d splurge and buy a wine in the $10 - $15 range it would usually be a better wine. So, in ...
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You’ve seen them. The wine scores posted alongside the bottles on the shelf. 90 points. 88 points. 92 points. But what does it really mean? Is it a good indicator for making your wine selection? Well, the old adage “Buyer Beware” certainly applies ...
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Have you ever taken a sip of red wine and noticed that your mouth feels dry or dusty? Almost that ‘cotton-mouth’ feel? Well, that is a sensation that is associated with red wine. Some red wines. The dry sensation is due to the wine being astringent...
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A few months back a friend of mine told me that, in the past, he really didn’t like white wine. He said white wines just didn’t have as much flavor as red wines. He preferred the flavors of a red wine. But, on a wine tasting trip he went ahead and...
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I was recently shopping in my local grocery store and noticed the overhead signs for the wine aisle included “Red Wines,” “White Wines” and “Table Wines.” Ever wonder what Table Wine really is? Well, in the U.S., Table Wine is simply a designation f...
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Last time, we learned that a wine bottle’s glass thickness, or weight, doesn’t really tell you anything about the wine’s quality. But, the thicker glass can serve to make a sparkling wine bottle more structurally capable of holding the high pressure....
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During a recent stroll through the produce aisle of my favorite grocery store, I saw a display labeled “Champagne Grapes.” They are beautiful bunches of small red-ish grapes. And, they look really good. But, the first thing that came to my mind was ...
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Well, maybe you haven’t ever wondered about the life cycle of a wine grape. Wine making is typically the process that gets all of the attention. And, yes, it’s amazing that grapes can be turned into such complex wines. The process of growing the grap...
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You see it a lot. As soon as the wine is poured in the glass, the first thing someone will do is raise the glass and look at the wine. But why do this you may ask? In a past blog we examined the “Five S’s of Wine Tasting” that include See, Swirl, Sn...
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Last time we took a look at a wine fun-fact about a butt of wine and learned that it is a measure approximately equal to two standard barrels. So, here’s some more wine fun-facts about the amount of grapes used in producing wine. When you look out ...
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While recently reviewing a sparkling Rosé Brut from Chile, the tech notes mentioned the addition of ‘Expedition Liqueur” after fermentation. It might come as a surprise to some that ‘liqueur’ is added to sparkling wine. But, it’s actually a common pr...
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It happens. You open and bottle of wine but don’t finish it. Now what? Well, you a have a couple of options. First, it’s best if you can limit wine’s exposure to air. Exposure to air will tend to take the life out of it. So, it’s best to use a dev...
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