Wine Facts

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

Dr. Vinny’s 2025 Wine Wisdom: Answers to Your Burning Questions

Dr. Vinny’s 2025 Wine Wisdom: Answers to Your Burning Questions

Pour yourself a cup for this one: The holidays are a time for celebration, but also for clarity. As the year wraps up, I’ve been sifting through the most pressing wine questions you’ve sent my way—ranging from travel mishaps to kitchen hacks. Here’s what’s stuck in my mind, sorted into categories that matter. First, the new wave: Can you fly with Champagne in checked luggage? The answer is yes, but the real trick is securing it properly. Airlines have strict rules about pressurized containers, so wrap bottles in bubble wrap and pack them upright. And no, your bubbly won’t explode…
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The Man Who Revived Sagrantino: Remembering Arnaldo Caprai, 92

The Man Who Revived Sagrantino: Remembering Arnaldo Caprai, 92

There’s a wine so bold it nearly vanished—until one man made it a legend. Arnaldo Caprai, the visionary behind Italy’s Montefalco Sagrantino, passed away at 92, leaving behind a legacy that transformed a near-extinct grape into a global icon. For decades, Sagrantino was a footnote in wine history, its dark, tannic character deemed too fierce for mainstream palates. Caprai didn’t just save it—he redefined it, proving that terroir and patience could turn a forgotten vine into a benchmark of Italian winemaking. Caprai’s journey began in the 1970s, when he traded textiles for terroir, buying a 108-acre estate in Umbria. Most…
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Stars Unveil Wine Bar in East Village; Antica Bottega Expands to Cortina

Stars Unveil Wine Bar in East Village; Antica Bottega Expands to Cortina

Here’s what you need to know: In the heart of New York’s East Village, two of the city’s most revered restaurateurs are redefining the wine bar experience. Joshua Pinsky and Chase Sinzer, behind the award-winning Claud and Penny, have opened Stars—a 12-seat, walk-in-only wine bar with a list of over 1,000 bottles. The concept? A space where wine is the focus, not an afterthought. “We wanted people to know this is a place to pop in and have some wine,” Sinzer says. The bar’s design, a zinc horseshoe bar wrapped by 12 seats, nods to the neighborhood’s artistic roots, including…
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Multivintage Wines Are Rewriting the Rules of Terroir

Multivintage Wines Are Rewriting the Rules of Terroir

The wine world is rewriting the rules of terroir. No longer is a bottle’s identity bound to a single harvest. Climate volatility has forced winemakers to blend across vintages—not to obscure origin, but to amplify it. This shift is reshaping how we think about wine, turning tradition into innovation. Blending isn’t new. Champagne has done it for centuries, and Sherry, Madeira, and Marsala rely on fractional aging to build complexity. But now, still wines are embracing the practice. Think Vega Sicilia’s Único Reserva Especial or Cain Cuvée’s 50-50 split. These wines aren’t about consistency; they’re about capturing the essence of…
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The 20-Minute Wine Rule Explained – Tips for Better Enjoyment

The 20-Minute Wine Rule Explained – Tips for Better Enjoyment

There's a simple yet effective way to enhance your wine-drinking experience: the 20-minute wine rule. This guideline suggests that allowing your wine to breathe for just 20 minutes can significantly improve its aroma and flavor. By following this advice, you can unlock the full potential of your favorite vintages, transforming the ordinary sip into an extraordinary delight. In this post, you'll discover how to apply this rule effectively and enjoy your wine like a connoisseur.Understanding the 20-Minute Wine Rule The 20-Minute Wine Rule suggests that allowing wine to breathe significantly enhances its flavor and aroma, making your drinking experience more…
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Understanding the 20-Minute Rule for Wine – Quick Guide

Understanding the 20-Minute Rule for Wine – Quick Guide

You can elevate your wine experience significantly by mastering the 20-minute rule, which suggests allowing wine to breathe for about 20 minutes before serving. This brief period enables the wine to open up and develop its aroma and flavor profile, enhancing your enjoyment. Whether you're a novice or an enthusiast, understanding this simple guideline can transform how you appreciate your favorite varieties, ensuring each sip is a delight for your senses.Understanding the 20-Minute Rule The 20-Minute Rule suggests that letting certain wines breathe for about 20 minutes enhances their flavor and aroma by allowing volatile compounds to evaporate. For more…
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Texas Wine’s Rise: The 2026 Forecast

Texas Wine’s Rise: The 2026 Forecast

The verdict is in: Texas wine isn’t just growing—it’s redefining the industry. From the dusty plains of Lubbock to the rolling hills of the Hill Country, Texas has transformed from a footnote in viticulture to a force to be reckoned with. With a $22.4 billion industry now thriving, the state’s wines are claiming Double Golds and Best of Show titles on the global stage. But the real story isn’t just about trophies—it’s about resilience, innovation, and a climate that’s finally bending to the will of vintners. The Texas wine renaissance began 50 years ago, born from the ashes of Prohibition.…
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Columbia Valley’s Hidden Gem: How Avallé is Rewriting the Rules of Wine

Columbia Valley’s Hidden Gem: How Avallé is Rewriting the Rules of Wine

Time to spill: The Columbia Valley isn’t just a wine region—it’s a story in the making. Bryan Otis, founder of Avallé, isn’t just selling bottles; he’s curating an experience that ties soil, sun, and spirit into something unforgettable. For Otis, the region’s “Golden Era” isn’t a marketing buzzword—it’s a reality shaped by decades of patience, precision, and passion. “We’re not just making wine,” he says. “We’re inviting people into a living, breathing ecosystem.” Otis’s journey began behind the bar, where he honed his craft as a sommelier and volunteer pourer. But it was walking vineyards and sorting fruit that revealed…
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Time to spill: 2025’s most compelling wines from Europe’s vineyards

Time to spill: 2025’s most compelling wines from Europe’s vineyards

This is worth savoring: 2025’s standout wines defy expectations, blending tradition with bold innovation. Brenntal Merlot, a single-vineyard gem from Alto Adige, redefines Merlot’s reputation. Its 15% alcohol, fresh yet full-bodied profile, stems from a unique terroir—steep loamy clay soils and cooling breezes. A 30-year-old vintages tasting revealed its longevity, with the 2009 still delivering ripe blackberry and blackcurrant notes. Italy’s Tuscany offers more surprises: Caiarossa’s 2021, a biodynamic blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, showcases bold cassis and tobacco flavors. The region’s volcanic soils and iron-rich earth create a distinct identity, while Tenute Argentiera’s Ventaglio 2020—a 100% Cabernet Franc—proves…
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Budapest: The Secret Natural Wine Capital You’ve Been Missing

Budapest: The Secret Natural Wine Capital You’ve Been Missing

This is worth savoring: Budapest isn’t just a city of thermal baths and grand architecture—it’s also a hidden gem for natural wine lovers. While Napa and Bordeaux dominate the global wine map, Hungary’s capital is quietly becoming a pilgrimage site for those chasing unfiltered, terroir-driven vintages. Natural wines, made with minimal intervention and reverence for tradition, are thriving here. Budapest’s cafés and wine bars now serve curated selections of local and international natural wines, blending Hungary’s ancient winemaking roots with modern curiosity. Hungary’s natural wine movement isn’t accidental—it’s a reclamation of history. The country’s winemaking dates back to Roman times,…
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