Sangiovese vs Chianti: Not the Same Thing

So you’ve made it to Italian red wines. Good for you. But could they be any more confusing? Chianti is a specific type of wine that is primarily made from Sangiovese grapes, while Sangiovese refers to the red grape variety itself. While Sangiovese is a versatile grape used in various wines, Chianti is a renowned […]

Touriga Nacional: Quick Guide

Pronounced: tore-ee-gah naw-see-oh-nahl If you’re holding a bottle of Touriga Nacional right now, please invite me over. Seriously.  Touriga Nacional is a black wine grape native to Northern Portugal. Winemakers use Touriga Nacional as a main blending grape in age-worthy sweet fortified Port wines, as well as fine dry red table wines. Touriga Nacional wines […]

Portuguese Princess Dangles Dowery: A Story of Madeira and Marital Monopolies

Catherine of Braganza was willing to trade one of Portugal’s greatest treasures for her husband’s hand in marriage. What was it?

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. […]