Alcohol’s Influence on Wine Aging Potential

You’re right to think that alcohol has something to do with a wine’s aging potential. Wines with higher alcohol levels (+14%) can usually age longer than lower-alcohol wines (under 14%). Alcohol acts as a natural preservative and antioxidant in wine. Examples include Amarone, Port, Madeira, and Shiraz. Some lower-alcohol wines can also age, though, like […]

What’s Better? DOCG, DOC, IGT, and VdT Italian Wines

Reading Italian wine labels can feel a little cryptic, especially if you’re standing in the wine aisle of your local store and holding two bottles that look essentially the same.  If you want the highest quality Italian wines, then choose a DOCG Italian wine, sometimes written out as Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. DOC […]

Uncorking Nebbiolo Wines of Northern Italy

Nebbiolo, at home in northwestern Italy, is a classic grape first referenced all the way back in the 1200s! Today, this red grape crafts some of the world’s greatest food-friendly wines. Here’s what you need to know about this dry red wine of Italy.