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What Is Phylloxera And Why Is It Important?

At some point in everyone’s wine journey, they run into cryptic references of phylloxera. What is it and why is it such a big deal? Phylloxera is an aphid-like insect (a louse) that feeds on grapevine roots, killing the grapevine. The insect traveled from Eastern North America to Europe, devastating vineyards in the late 1800s. […]

Are You Drinking Bitter Wine? Or Astringent Wine?

Some would-be wine drinkers get turned off by wine’s perceived bitterness, but vino comes in a range of styles. Bitterness in wine is from alcohol. High alcohol wines (13%+) can taste bitter Lower alcohol wines (Moscato, Lambrusco) are less bitter. Astringency, a tactile sensation, dries your mouth. High-tannin red wines feel more astringent. Light white […]

The Curious History of Tannat Wine: Tannat Wine Guide

Tannat makes tongue-coating wines that leave you puckering. Tannat has thick, deeply pigmented skins lending themselves to heavy tannin extraction during fermentation. Today, the largest producer of Tannat isn’t France, but rather Uruguay.