Wine Facts

Explore wine varietals, regions, tasting notes, and pairing tips. Your guide to wine appreciation.

Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon: A Richer Twist on a Classic White

Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon: A Richer Twist on a Classic White

If you’re a Chardonnay devotee who’s ever craved something deeper than citrus and stone fruit, Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon blends might just rewrite your wine playbook. This rare white wine defies expectations by marrying the zesty, herbal notes of Sauvignon Blanc with the buttery, honeyed richness of Sémillon—often aged in new oak. The result? A luscious, layered sip that’s anything but lightweight. In this video, we dive into how two regions—Bordeaux and Washington State—craft these blends into something extraordinary. Bordeaux’s Sauternes appellation is the gold standard for sweet white wines, where Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are fermented in oak to create textures…
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The AOC Code: How France’s Wine Labels Signal Quality and Origin

The AOC Code: How France’s Wine Labels Signal Quality and Origin

France’s wine labels are a language of precision, but decoding them feels like solving a mystery. Enter AOC—the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée—France’s strict system for defining wine identity. It’s not just a label; it’s a guarantee of origin, rules, and quality. Think of it as the wine world’s version of a fingerprint: if it’s labeled AOC, you know exactly where it came from and how it was made. AOC isn’t just about geography. It’s a legal framework enforced by the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO), which sets rules for grape varieties, yields, and even vine density. For…
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The Wine Buying Guide: Reds, Whites, and Rosé That Define the Year

The Wine Buying Guide: Reds, Whites, and Rosé That Define the Year

Real talk: 2020’s best wines are already in your glass. Whether you’re chasing boldness, nuance, or a splash of summer, this year’s vintages are shaped by terroir, tradition, and a few rebellious twists. From volcanic soils to oak-aged Chardonnay, the 2020 lineup is a masterclass in balance. Reds reign supreme in their ability to tell stories. Syrah from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley delivers smoky, meaty richness, while Napa’s Grenache-driven blends pack raspberry sweetness with a scorched-earth edge. In Tuscany, Merlot-Cabernet Franc blends from Pomerol and Saint-Emilion quietly outshine Left Bank powerhouses, offering leathery spice and dark fruit. For Malbec…
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A Global Wine Showdown Unfolds in Seoul’s Heart

A Global Wine Showdown Unfolds in Seoul’s Heart

The verdict is in: South Korea’s wine scene is no longer a footnote. In Seoul’s Gangnam district, over 80 DWWA 2025 award-winning wines unfolded in a tasting that blurred borders and redefined excellence. Decanter’s collaboration with Winevision, South Korea’s leading wine education hub, turned the event into a masterclass in terroir and technique. From Argentina’s bold Malbecs to Portugal’s aged Ports, the room buzzed with professionals and enthusiasts dissecting the nuances of 19 countries’ finest. This wasn’t just a showcase—it was a seismic shift. The ground floor brimmed with sparkling and fortified gems, including five Platinum-winning Australian Chardonnays and Spanish…
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The Adriatic’s Hidden Vineyards: A Journey with Andrew Jefford

The Adriatic’s Hidden Vineyards: A Journey with Andrew Jefford

The Adriatic’s vineyards are more than scenic backdrops—they’re living testaments to resilience. In a sun-scorched June morning, Andrew Jefford found himself in Primošten, a coastal village where tamarisk trees sway over white sand, and the sea glints like liquid sapphire. With him was Croatia’s leading wine writer, Saša Špiranec, and Leo Gracin, a professor of oenology at Split University. Their destination? A family vineyard where 80-year-old Josipa Marinov, known as Bepa, bent double to prune red Babić vines, her hands steady, her spirit sharp. Her sons joined her, and for a moment, the scene felt like a portrait of agricultural…
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The Rise of NoLo Wines: A Wine Critic’s Take on the Low-Alcohol Movement

The Rise of NoLo Wines: A Wine Critic’s Take on the Low-Alcohol Movement

The wine world is undergoing a quiet revolution. NoLo—no- and low-alcohol wines—has become the latest obsession, despite its messy definitions and polarizing reception. Definitions vary wildly: the EU and UK lack standardized terms, while the U.S. classifies “non-alcoholic” as under 0.5% ABV and “alcohol-free” as under 0.05%. Low-alcohol wines span a broad range, making labels the only reliable guide. Yet, this ambiguity hasn’t stopped the trend from gaining traction. With global wine sales declining, NoLo wines are projected to grow by 7% annually through 2028, and 10.4% by 2034. Sales have already surged 88% since 2021, signaling a seismic shift…
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2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

This might just change your routine: 2024 Côtes du Rhône wines are delivering a rare blend of freshness and depth. While the appellation is often dismissed as a “starter” for wine drinkers, the 2024 vintage proves otherwise. This year’s conditions—warmer than average but with timely rain—created wines that balance ripe fruit with vibrant acidity. Unlike higher-tier crus, where terroir dominates, the 2024 vintage’s impact is magnified here, making it a masterclass in how climate shapes character. The 2024 vintage’s warmth and rain delivered a paradox: wines that feel both lush and lifted. In the northern Rhône, growers like Domaine Xavier…
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Ukraine’s Wine Resilience: Surviving War, Crafting Legacy

Ukraine’s Wine Resilience: Surviving War, Crafting Legacy

Time to spill: A missile strike turned Kyiv’s Pilot’s Wines into a smoldering ruin, but Ukraine’s vintners are rewriting the script. For four years, bombs have shattered vineyards, supply chains, and dreams. Yet amid the chaos, a quiet revolution is brewing. Wineries once reliant on domestic markets now pivot to global stages, leveraging competitions and exports to keep their craft alive. The war has been a scalpel, carving through Ukraine’s wine industry. Pilot’s Wines lost decades of curated bottles to a drone attack, while Artwinery fled Bakhmut’s ruins. Russian troops loom over Beykush’s vineyards, yet the winery keeps fermenting. This…
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Napa Valley’s Firefighting Brew: How Wine Survived the Flames

Napa Valley’s Firefighting Brew: How Wine Survived the Flames

When flames consumed Napa Valley’s historic vineyards, the region’s identity as a wine destination faced its toughest test yet. The Glass Fire, which scorched the northern part of the valley in 2020, didn’t just destroy crops—it gutted centuries of tradition. For wineries like Tofanelli Family Vineyard, the loss of their 1929-built homestead felt like a death blow to “Old Napa Valley.” Yet amid the ash and smoke, a resilient spirit emerged. Wineries across the region are racing to salvage the 2020 vintage, even as smoke taint rendered entire harvests unusable. “We’ve never skipped a vintage since 1989,” said Fiona Barnett…
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Decoding Wine Body: How to Taste the Fullness in Every Sip

Decoding Wine Body: How to Taste the Fullness in Every Sip

The verdict is in: Wine body isn’t about sweetness or tannin—it’s about the weight of the glass. Think of it like milk fat: whole milk feels rich, skim milk feels light. Wine body operates on the same principle, but with more nuance. It’s the sum of alcohol, acidity, and texture, and it shapes how a wine feels in your mouth. Whether you’re sipping a crisp Pinot Noir or a bold Cabernet, understanding body helps you navigate flavor profiles and find wines that align with your palate. Light-bodied wines are the minimalist classics. They’re low in alcohol (typically under 13.5%) and…
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