Learning about wine
People sometimes ask me where to begin with sherry. They're eager to learn how to drink it, so we need to facilitate that. The choice is enormous, and I can easily imagine it being overwhelming. Fortunately, there's now a new...
West of Madrid, off the beaten track and away from the well-known DOs, lies Sierra de Gredos. Despite lacking its own DO status, this region is slowly but surely conquering the wine world with its original wines. The rugged, inhospitable...
The mysterious verduno pelaverga
When we think of Piedmont, we immediately think of Nebbiolo. This red grape variety, grown on the rolling hills of Barolo and Barbaresco, is responsible for iconic Italian wines. But what if we mention that some of those hills are...
Wine FAQ: How many grapes for one bottle of wine?
The Wine FAQ section answers your burning wine questions. Have a question? Let me know via email or Instagram. This time it's about yields . How many kilos of grapes do you need for one bottle of wine? And what...
English Sparkling Wine and Favorites
In early 2023, we recorded a podcast about English Sparkling Wine and were deeply impressed by these bubbles from across the Channel. England's vineyards, particularly those for sparkling wine, are located in the southeast, in Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire—at the...
From Mildew to Flavescence Dorée: The Battle in the Vineyard
Mother Nature, we love her, but oh, how she makes our lives difficult sometimes. Harvest has already begun in most European countries. It's the time of year for winemakers, but for vineyard managers, it's precisely the time to evaluate. The...
Douro, the most beautiful wine region in the world?
It's perhaps the most beautiful wine region in the world: the Douro Valley. The vines are arranged in neat rows on the incredibly steep slopes along the banks of the Douro River. A sight you can't get enough of. Anyone...
Wine FAQ: What is kosher wine?
Last month I interned at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte (SHL) . In the winery, there was a single barrel completely cordoned off with tape. No one was allowed to touch it, and it was quite hysterical. That certainly piqued one's...
Wine Q&A: What's the most expensive wine in the world?
How much does the world's most expensive wine cost? It's a question that preoccupies many, as it's frequently searched for and asked during wine courses. These wines, starting at over €14,000, aren't accessible to everyone. Only those with a well-filled...
“Tannins are a diverse and complex group of chemical compounds that occur in the bark of many trees and in fruits like grapes. Strictly speaking, a tannin is a compound that is capable of interacting with proteins and precipitating them;...
Questions and Answers about Acids (Part 1)
Wine has acidity, we all know that. Just think of the last time someone poured you a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Some love it, others hate it. Some grape varieties produce wines with more acidity than others, and of course,...
Questions and answers about alcoholic fermentation
After the questions and answers about sulfites and malolactic fermentation, today's article is about alcoholic fermentation. I can't believe I never thought of that before. It's an essential step in winemaking. How does alcoholic fermentation work? During alcoholic fermentation, sugar...