Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay: Which Is Better?

Both Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are classic French white wines, but just what sets them apart? Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay produce dry white wines. Chenin Blanc is versatile, offering off-dry and dessert options, with higher acid, lighter body, and intense aromas of pear, melon, and quince. Chardonnay, softer in acid and heavier-bodied, exhibits citrus, apple, […]

Does Champagne Have Sugar?

Champagne’s one of those complicated wines where a simple answer never suffices. Champagnes can be sugar-free (e.g., Brut Nature) or have varying sugar levels (e.g., Doux). Most contain 9-12g/L to balance high acidity. A standard glass of Champagne has around ½ tsp of sugar (0.42 – 0.56 tsp). But why does Champagne even have sugar? […]

How to Tell If Wine Is Sweet (Before You Buy)

New wine drinkers are often inducted into the world of vino via sweet wine. This begs the question: How do you know if a wine is sweet? Read the label for terms like ‘off-dry’ or a sweetness scale. Alcohol levels below 11% ABV indicate some sugar. Sweetness is measured in g/l (grams of sugar per […]