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Rows of vines

What Am I Tasting?

A plump, ripe white that flirts with an off-dry feel … Play the game!

Nov 15, 2019

Harvest workers in a vineyard

Quiz: Get in the Spirits

Cabernet Sauvignon may be the heavyweight champ of red wine, but whose Cabernet reigns supreme? Take our quiz!

Nov 8, 2019

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Malbec

Originally from France, this rich red reached stardom in Argentina

California wine regions, like Redwood Valley in Mendocino, were exposed to smoke for days. Were the grapes harmed?

Understanding Smoke Taint

As wine regions around the world face the immediate effects of devastating fires, the threat of smoke taint is a slow burn

Nov 3, 2017

Ask Dr. Vinny

Ask Dr. Vinny

Image for the article titled: Are older wines on retail shelves at room temperature at risk of premature aging?

Image for the article titled: Are older wines on retail shelves at room temperature at risk of premature aging?

Are older wines on retail shelves at room temperature at risk of premature aging?

Nov 18, 2019

Image for the article titled: What do wine grapes taste like?

What do wine grapes taste like?

Nov 15, 2019

Image for the article titled: At a restaurant, if I want to order a wine that needs time to breathe, what should I do?

At a restaurant, if I want to order a wine that needs time to breathe, what should I do?

Nov 13, 2019

Image for the article titled: Is there any risk to a wine’s quality, or the health of people drinking it, if the winemaker adds too much yeast or nutrients for the fermentation?

Is there any risk to a wine’s quality, or the health of people drinking it, if the winemaker adds too much yeast or nutrients for the fermentation?

Nov 11, 2019

Image for the article titled: What causes the blue tinge when I clean red wine out of my wineglass?

What causes the blue tinge when I clean red wine out of my wineglass?

Nov 8, 2019

See More Dr. Vinny ›

Know Your Grapes

Know Your Grapes

Image for the article titled:Cabernet Sauvignon

Image for the article titled:Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

The reigning champion of the red wine world has captured the imagination of vintners and wine drinkers across the globe

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Chardonnay

A versatile variety made in many styles from lean to opulent, this white grape is ubiquitous around the world

Image for the article titled:Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

This Burgundian grape makes elegant, flavorful reds from the most prized vineyard sites in the world

Image for the article titled:Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

A fair-weather go-to that is refreshing and aromatic, known for its pungent herbal flavors and racy acidity

Image for the article titled:Syrah

Syrah

This red grape shines in its Rhône Valley homeland, but has also gained glory in intriguing New World locales

See More Grapes ›

How To

How To

Cut off the top part of the capsule before inserting the corkscrew near the center of the cork.

Cut off the top part of the capsule before inserting the corkscrew near the center of the cork.

Top Tips for Opening a Wine Bottle

How to deal with different types of bottles, corks, other closures and corkscrews

Which wines will benefit from decanting? Read on …

Decanting 101

What you need to know to inform your decanting decisions

Sparkling wines should be kept chilled to preserve their freshness.

3 Tips to Achieve the Perfect Serving Temperature

Expert advice on enjoying your bottles at their best

Place your wine racks away from heat and direct sunlight.

7 Wine-Storage Basics You Need to Know

Tips on keeping your fine wines at their best without spending a lot

Choose a wine whose weight matches the weight of the food you're serving.

How to Match Wine with Food

6 simple tips for successful pairings

Wine Savvy

Image for the article titled:Video: How to Serve Wine Like a Pro

Video: How to Serve Wine Like a Pro

Watch this 2-minute tutorial for the best tips and tricks

Bordeaux's Cité du Vin celebrates wine around the world.

The ABCs of Bordeaux

France's premier wine region gave the world the classic red blend of Cabernet and Merlot

Artist Carl Laubin was commissioned to produce this painting of Bordeaux's 61 classified growths in 1992.

The 1855 Bordeaux Classification

The ranking system put in place by Napoleon III still influences today's market

Future releases of Château Margaux rest in barrel.

How (and Why) to Buy Wine Futures

What are the pros and cons of paying up front for wine that hasn't been bottled yet?

Come up with a game plan for what you want to taste and learn, but also leave time for unexpected discoveries.

10 Tips for Attending a Wine Tasting

How to make the most of any walk-around event where you can sample dozens (or hundreds!) of wines

Covenant and Herzog are two top California wineries that produce kosher wines.

Kosher Wine Explained

What makes these wines different? We asked winemakers about the misperceptions and requirements

Hundreds of casks represented hundreds of years' worth of wines at Gonzales Byass' solera.

Sweet Wines 101

The world's finest dessert wines can be otherworldly. No surprise, then, that it takes superhuman effort to make them

Veraison, when grapes start to change color and soften, marks the beginning of harvest season.

Harvest 101: The Basics of Crush Season

Learn what goes on in the vineyard and winery during each stage of the annual harvest for wine grapes

Glossary

Unfamiliar with a term in a tasting note or on a wine label? Wondering what all the winemaking jargon means? Look it up in our glossary.

What Am I Tasting

Nov 15, 2019

Wine Challenge Quiz

Nov 8, 2019

Sips & Tips Newsletter

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Popular Posts

Popular Posts

Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2019 graphic: 3 wine glasses and text on a light blue background

Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2019 graphic: 3 wine glasses and text on a light blue background

Revealing … The Top 100 List

Nov 18, 2019

Still good!

Still good!

Explorers Crack 'Most Extreme' Shipwreck to Find 100-Year-Old Booze, Actually Taste It

Ben O'Donnell

Nov 15, 2019

Woman with Thanksgiving turkey

Woman with Thanksgiving turkey

Sommelier Roundtable

What's Your Go-To Thanksgiving Wine?

Nov 15, 2019

A French container ship heads into port. Many wineries had products heading to America when the tariffs were announced.

A French container ship heads into port. Many wineries had products heading to America when the tariffs were announced.

Trade War Roils European Wine Industry

Suzanne Mustacich

Nov 15, 2019

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