— Wine IQ —

Ask Dr. Vinny

Most Recent Q&As

Most Recent Q&As

See More

What does the word “unctuous” mean in a wine tasting note?

May 20, 2019

Are collectible wines still collectible after the wine has gone bad?

May 17, 2019

Why aren't bottles stored on their sides at wine stores?

May 15, 2019

Is there a polite way to tell a winemaker that I'm not enjoying their wines?

May 13, 2019

Do you swirl a glass of sparkling wine?

May 10, 2019

Can I take a corkscrew on an airplane?

Wine Spectator's expert advises a reader to check it or forget it

Apr 26, 2019

FAQs

See More

FAQs

Which wines are "dry"?

What's the deal with sulfites?

I found some old bottles of wine. Are they valuable?

See More Articles ›

Serving

See More

Serving

Is it true that whites should be served chilled, and reds at room temp?

What exactly does aeration do to a wine?

Is there one style of wineglass I can use for reds and whites?

See More Articles ›

Storage

See More

Storage

How long can I store a bottle of wine in my refrigerator?

What temperature does bottled wine freeze at?

Do wine-preserving devices like the Coravin really work?

See More Articles ›

Sparkling Wines

See More

Sparkling Wines

What does "brut" mean in terms of Champagne?

What's the best way to store Champagne?

If a chilled Champagne warms up and then is chilled again, is it ruined?

See More Articles ›

Red Wines

See More

Red Wines

What’s the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Why are Bordeaux wines called “claret”?

What is a “super Tuscan”?

See More Articles ›

White Wines

See More

White Wines

Which white wines are “dry”?

What's the difference between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay?

What’s the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio?

See More Articles ›

How to Taste

See More

How to Taste

What does it mean to describe a wine as “dry,” “sweet” or “semi-dry”?

What's the difference between an oaked and an unoaked wine?

Is there a difference between an expensive wine and a cheap wine that earned the same score?

See More Articles ›

Closures

See More

Closures

Aren’t screwcaps a sign of low-quality wines?

If the cork breaks when I open a bottle, does that mean the wine is bad?

What are synthetic corks made of?

See More Articles ›

Wine Flaws

See More

Wine Flaws

Can drinking old wine make you sick?

Is "brett" the same thing as "cork taint"?

Why is oxidation bad for wine?

See More Articles ›

Sips & Tips Newsletter

Get exclusive knowledge on all things wine with our popular newsletter

Popular Posts

Popular Posts

André Lurton, Bordeaux Legend, Dies at 94

Suzanne Mustacich

May 16, 2019

Wine & Wellness

Cutting Back on Sugar? Here's What Wine Drinkers Need to Know

Lexi Williams

May 13, 2019

Lights! Camera! Pour! Wine Spectator’s Video Contest

May 10, 2019

Sonoma vs. Willamette Winemakers Bet a Ton (of Grapes) on Warriors-Blazers

May 16, 2019

WineRatings+

Xvalues

Restaurant Search

Welcome to the new WineSpectator.com!

Welcome to the new WineSpectator.com!

We've redesigned our site to be more useful, intuitive and enjoyable. Let's take a quick tour of the improvements—we hope you like them!

We've redesigned everything

We've redesigned everything

Our new layout makes it easy to navigate WineSpectator.com from any device.

Explore our new sections

Explore our new sections

Wine IQ is our new hub for insider tips, FAQs and advice. Wine & Culture features our most fascinating, fun and occasionally strange stories from the world of wine.

Find what you want with better search

Find what you want with better search

Our improved site search gets you to the articles, ratings and videos you want faster.

Browse our newly designed vintage charts

Browse our newly designed vintage charts

Researching top vintages from the world's great wine regions is easy with our new, user-friendly tools.

Don’t see a favorite feature?

Don’t see a favorite feature?

Look for it in the menu at the top left of your screen.

Not a subscriber?

Not a subscriber?

Join now for unlimited access to the world's most trusted and influential wine ratings, reviews and reporting.

Subscribe Today No Thanks

Skip Walkthrough ❯