If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the wine aisle gawking at the prices, you may have also found yourself wondering, “Is there really a difference between cheap and expensive wine?” And, “Is more expensive wine better?” To figure this out, let’s take a look at what it costs to make a bottle of wine. The Cost of Wine Grapes Grapes are one of several costs that go into producing […]
What is it about old vine wines that’s so special? Let’s explore some of the theories about aging vineyards and why they’re so rare. Perhaps you spotted the words “old vines” printed on a bottle label. Or, maybe you heard some besotted crony at the local wine bar loudly profess a love for old vine Zinfandel. You can’t let a tasty option elude your palate, let’s figure out why these […]
Over the past few centuries we’ve learned that different grape varieties are usually best vinified (i.e. made into wine) separately and then blended later. In ancient times, wine grapes were picked and vinified together – we call this a “field blend.” (In fact, Port is one of the few wines that you can still find made this way!) After the wine is safely stowed away in barrels (or tanks), then […]
France is the place of origin of Malbec, but Argentina is now home to nearly 70% of the Malbec vineyards of the world. Thus, your very first taste of Malbec could have been from Mendoza, Argentina. There is a dramatic difference in taste between the two regions and this is because Malbec really shows how terroir affects wine. Argentinian Malbec vs. French Malbec An instant definition of ‘terroir’ Terroir encompasses […]
Coming up with a tidy list of the 10 most popular wines in the world is not an easy challenge! The last study on vineyards worldwide was conducted in 2011 by Kym Anderson’s team at the University of Adelaide. Needless to say, the world’s wine information is not exactly up-to-date. Today, the team at Folly Enterprises Inc plans to deliver new data. But, it’s not quite ready. So in the […]
Love Cabernet Sauvignon, but crave something more smooth, lush, and less aggressive? Go with Merlot. With upfront fruit flavors, moderate tannin, and balanced acidity, Merlot is an ideal food pairing wine and a safe bet for any occasion. Yes, it doesn’t command the respect that a bold Cabernet Sauvignon often does, but it doesn’t command the same price tag either, often leading to a better quality-value ratio. So, if you’ve […]
It’s not often that the fine wine business comes together on anything. In fact, their differences are what define them. So, it was delightful to see the world’s top wineries contribute together to the Golden Vines Charity Auction (you can see the impressive lots here) – all in the name of increasing diversity in the wine business. Diversity Scholarship Winners Announced The first ever Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship announced two […]
Don’t judge a book by its cover or a wine by its label. Except when it makes perfect sense to do just that — such as on Valentine’s Day. The wine itself must be good, of course, or the value of the label will be lost. But the right wine name can help brighten the mood even before the first sip. Bubbles set the stage for any celebration, of course. […]
Because you don’t already have enough liquid in you. There are a lot articles out there talking about the challenges of pairing soup with wine. Yes, the last thing you need when you’re working on a nice soup belly is more liquid. Yes, the interplay of broths, bases, and ingredients can leave even a seasoned gourmand stumped. But you know what? Pairing soup and wine doesn’t have to be so […]
When thinking sushi, the first thought is usually sake (saa-kaay), and rightfully so. Colloquially known as Japanese rice wine, sake is actually closer to beer than wine. But with wine, that’s another story. Albariño Try it with Tempura Albariño bursts with flavors of lemon, lime, green peas and blossom, with high acidity and a slight bitterness on the finish. Winner winner, prawn tempura dinner: this is phenomenal with the sweetness […]
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