Mourvèdre – A Comprehensive Guide

Pronunciation: moor-VEHD-ruh Mourvèdre, also known as Monastrell or Mataro, is a red wine grape with its roots in Spain. It’s a versatile grape used in both blends and as a single varietal, showcasing robust, full-bodied dry red wines with complex flavors of dark fruits, earthiness, and spices. TL;DR: If you like bold, full-bodied red wine, […]

Syrah: A Comprehensive Guide

Pronunciation: SEER-ah, SI-raw, or shih-RAHZ Syrah, also known as Shiraz in some regions, is a dark-skinned wine grape from the Rhône Valley, France. Now grown around the world it makes deep, black fruited red wines. Here’s what you need to know about Syrah wine. What Kind of Wine Is Syrah? Syrah is a full-bodied red […]

Grenache: A Comprehensive Guide

Pronunciation: gruh-nosh Grenache, a red wine varietal, embodies rustic charm. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a curious beginner, this comprehensive guide introduces you to Grenache. What Kind of Wine Is Grenache?  Grenache is a medium-bodied red wine with medium acid, medium to pronounced tannins, and medium alcohol. It often falls between Pinot Noir and […]

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 […]

A Good Red Wine for Beginners

Red wines are a little intimidating. They come in such a divergent range of profiles and flavors, that it’s no wonder you can stand in front of an isle of 100 different wines and decide it’s better to walk away empty handed.  A good red wine for beginners helps you learn about different grape profiles. […]

Bookshelf: The Emperor of Wine

Elin McCoy pours through the life of the legendary Rober Parker. If you drink wine, you’ve heard of Parker or at the very least been influenced by his life’s work – the 100 Point Wine Scale.

Exploring Priorat Red Wines

Tucked away in the northeast corner of Spain, Priorat boasts an ancient wine-growing culture rooted in Catalunya’s history.  Priorat red wine blends use Garnacha Tinta and Samsó (Cariñena), producing high alcohol, deep, rich red wines with red fruit, black fruit, and spice. Priorat employs the “Els Noms de la Terra” classification system, featuring five wine […]