In the world of fine wines, France and California have emerged as powerhouses in the wine industry. At the Judgement of Paris wine tasting competition of 1976, two Californian wines beat the French wines. So, what makes French and Californian wines different? I went to a few tasting rooms to find out. Californian wine is …
Have you ever pushed a cork into a bottle of wine accidentally while opening it and wondered whether you can still drink the wine that has a cork in it? It has happened to me plenty of times, both accidentally and intentionally, when I haven’t had a corkscrew to open my wine. It is entirely …
When most people think of Spanish wine, they think of Rioja, Cava, and Sangria, though maybe not in that precise order. Spanish wine has a reputation for being cheaper and of lower quality than their French and Italian neighbors. However, while Spanish wine is cheaper thanks to mechanized farming practices, it is not lower quality. …
What year wine is best? This is a question many novices ask themselves. In this article, we will guide you to the wine’s best periods with an overview of vintage years. But before diving into the subject, let’s understand what vintage means. When it comes to the subject of wine, one of the terms that …
For a long time, I have wondered why Spanish wines had a bad reputation compared to neighbors France and Italy. The Spanish wines I have tasted are easily as good as more expensive French and Italian wines and in some cases tasted remarkably similar. Recently I got to spend 15 days at a Spanish winery …
Pick up your latest wine purchase and examine the bottle. Besides a long, elegant neck, a screw-capped or corked top, and an eye-catching label, what else do you spot? Hint: check the bottom of your bottle. If you answered a “dimple,” then you just singled out one of the most mysterious features of the wine …
Behind closed doors, we all have our unique preferences for the ideal temperature of wine including whether or not to chill the glass. But when it’s time to throw on your best face and serve up an elegant evening for your friends, you probably would like to know the rules when it comes to chilling …
There are many crucial factors that determine good wine. For example, high-quality wines will express intense flavors and a lingering finish, with flavors lasting after you’ve swallowed the wine. Flavors that disappear immediately can indicate that your wine is of moderate quality at best. The better the wine, the longer the flavor finish will last …
Over the years I have had the opportunity to taste some really superb wines as well as a few that fell somewhat short of what their reputation promised. When it comes to the world of fine wine there are certainly key factors, not only in the sense of collectors’ value but also in the way …
Ever since I first started wine tasting I have always heard people saying that Champagne, white wine, and rosé should all be served cold. The question for me was how cold? Some of my white wines seemed to lose flavor after a week or more in the kitchen refrigerator. Plus, what was the reason why …
Wine collectors and traders commonly wrap their high-end bottles with plastic wraps, such as Saran Wrap, etc., to protect the labels from scrapes and scuff marks that could significantly reduce their resale value. In my opinion, there isn’t a downside to wrapping bottles in clear plastic or keeping them wrapped long-term. The Saran Wrap is …