It is a new year and there are sweeping changes in wine bottle sizes in America. Yep, wine makers and glass blowers have a whole new tool kit to entice you into experiencing whatever elixir they have conjured from grape juice and yeast and wood and whatever else the white-coated wine wizards have procured. Continue reading “Wine bottle sizes 2-19-2025”
Category: Facts About Wine
Blending terms 1-29-2025
Wine labels and wine reviews may include various references to wine blending. Some are specific and informative. Others are distinctions without a difference. Let’s explore the most common blending terms. Continue reading “Blending terms 1-29-2025”
Types of blends 1-22-2025
Blending is essential to making some of the world’s most iconic wines. We explored the several ways to blend last week. This week, specific wines created by blending. Continue reading “Types of blends 1-22-2025”
Ty Ku Saké Silver Premium Junmai
Very pale amber color (this has been properly stored for five years, it likely was lighter color when younger); subtle pear notes on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Ty Ku Saké Silver Premium Junmai”
Origami Saké White Lotus Unfiltered (Nigori), Hot Springs, Arkansas
Very light green hazy-cloudy color; honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, pear, citrus hint on the nose and palate (when served chilled); apple, coconut, sweet potato (when served warm). Continue reading “Origami Saké White Lotus Unfiltered (Nigori), Hot Springs, Arkansas”
Varietals and blends 1-15-2025
In general, wines can be divided into varietals and blends. This being wine, it is not so black-and-white simple. Let’s explore. Continue reading “Varietals and blends 1-15-2025”
Holiday wine pairing insight 12-18-2024
With Christmas/holiday feasts coming soon, what is the ideal alcohol percentage for wine paired with food? The answer is 10-14%. Why? Continue reading “Holiday wine pairing insight 12-18-2024”
White wine ascendant 11-27-2024
Wine is in turmoil. People are turning to alcohol alternatives. Red wine sales are down, white and rosé are up. French and Italians and Spanish are drinking less wine. There is a glut of wine. What?! Continue reading “White wine ascendant 11-27-2024”
Wine barrels 11-13-2024
It takes two to four centuries to grow the oak tree for a wine barrel. Then, after tree harvest, four, usually more, years to season the wood and the staves. Finally, it is time to turn the staves into a wine barrel. Continue reading “Wine barrels 11-13-2024”
Wood and wine 11-6-2024
Wine is an agricultural product. Hardly an earth-shattering revelation. But consider its scope. Not just wine vines, as essential as they may be, but in many cases—trees. Continue reading “Wood and wine 11-6-2024”