The Guide To Drinking & Enjoying Wine

Cultivate your love of wine by exploring our Wine Insiders blog! We’re always adding helpful food pairing guides; new wine showcases; ideas from sommeliers and chefs; and profiles of top wine regions, varietals, and winemakers. There is so much to learn — it’s like school, if the homework were delicious.

Types Of Wines & Grapes

What Is Sangiovese Wine? A Beginner's Guide to Italy's Signature Red
Style & Body: Dry, medium to full-bodied red with bright acidity and moderate tannins Main Grape Varieties: Sangiovese (also found as Brunello, Prugnolo Gentile, and Morellino) Flavor Profile: Fresh cherry,... Read more...
What Does 'Reserve' Really Mean on a Wine Label?
Find out what reserve wine is and what makes it different from other wines. Read more...
White Wine Explained: Styles, Grapes, and Regions
Style & Body: Dry to off-dry, light to full-bodied depending on winemaking (unoaked vs. oaked) White Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc Flavor Profile: Citrus, stone... Read more...
Tempranillo Wine Guide: History, Regions, Styles & Food Pairings
Often associated with the Spanish wine region, Rioja, Tempranillos are higher in acidity and bursting with vivid floral notes. Read more...
What Is Cava? A Beginner's Guide to Spanish Sparkling Wine
Learn what Cava wine is, including food pairing, and how you can get the most out of it.  Read more...
Bordeaux Wine Guide: Regions, Grapes & Food Pairings
Explore Bordeaux wine—Left Bank vs. Right Bank styles, grape varieties, food pairings, and the 1855 Classification. Shop expertly curated selections at Wine Insiders Read more...
Chardonnay Wine Guide: Taste, Styles & Food Pairings
Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine. Learn about the difference between oaked and unoaked and how this impacts the flavor profile. Read more...
Pinot Grigio Wine Guide: Taste, Food & Pairings
Originally known as Fromenteau, the Pinot Grigio grape is traced all the way back to the Middle Ages. Read more...
Grenache Wine Guide: History, Regions, Flavors & Food Pairings
Learn more about Grenache, the grape behind some of the world's most popular wines! Read more...
Pinot Noir Wine Guide: Regions, Tasting Notes & Food Pairings
Derived from the French words for pine and black, learn more about this delicious red wine varietal. Read more...
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Guide: Flavor Profile, Regions & Food Pairings
Learn more about Cabernet Sauvignon, the world's most popular grape! Read more...
Chianti Wine Guide: Taste, Classifications & Food Pairings
Learn more about this 13th-century grape from Central Tuscany. Read more...
Sangiovese Wine Guide: Taste, Regions & Food Pairings
Sangiovese is Italy's most planted red grape, and there's a reason it shows up on more Italian wine labels than anything else. This is the variety behind Chianti, Brunello di... Read more...
Malbec Wine Guide: Taste, Food Pairings & Top Regions
Learn more about Malbec, one of the six grapes allowed in the Bordeaux red blend. Read more...
Syrah/Shiraz Wine Guide: Taste, Regions & Food Pairings
Syrah or Shiraz, which one is it? Learn more about this dark-skinned grape varietal. Read more...
Riesling Wine Guide: Taste, Styles & Food Pairings
Riesling is one of the most misunderstood grapes. Learn more about it today! Read more...
Sauvignon Blanc: A Guide to Tasting Notes, Pairings & Top Regions
Discover Sauvignon Blanc wine: taste, food pairings, and regional styles. Explore expert tips and find your next favorite. Read more...
Moscato
The grape behind everyone's favorite sweet wine. Read more...
Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Merlot: A Friendly Rivalry
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are two of the most popular red wine grape varieties, often blended together in Bordeaux wines. Learn more here. Read more...
Alcohol Content in Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Explained
Cabernet Sauvignon is typically a full-bodied wine with a moderate to high alcohol content. Learn more here. Read more...
Cabernet Sauvignon Aging - Everything you should know
One of the most captivating aspects of Cabernet Sauvignon is its remarkable aging potential. Learn more here. Read more...
Food Pairing Guide For Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, with its bold and complex flavors, pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes. Learn more here. Read more...
The Taste Profile of Cabernet Sauvignon: A Symphony of Flavours
Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine renowned for its complexity and depth, offers a captivating array of flavours that can vary depending on the specific region and winemaking techniques. Learn more here. Read more...
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon Grown - Popular Countries and Regions
Cabernet Sauvignon, a versatile and widely cultivated grape variety, thrives in diverse climates and soils around the world. Read more here. Read more...
Californian Cabernet Sauvignon: A Golden State Gem
Cabernet Sauvignon wine made in California, United States, has solidified its position as one of the world's most celebrated red wines. Read more here. Read more...
Should cabernet sauvignon be chilled and refrigerated before serving
While Cabernet Sauvignon does not necessarily need to be chilled, serving it at the right temperature can enhance its flavors and aromas. Learn more here. Read more...
Storing Cabernet Sauvignon Guide - Refrigeration, Vacuum and More
After you have opened a bottle of this rich and robust red wine, it is important to consider how to preserve its quality for future enjoyment. Learn how in this... Read more...
Malbec vs. Merlot
Comparing two decadent and fruity red wines. Read more...
Everything You Need to Know About Non-Alcoholic Wine
Let’s analyze the production and profile of non-alcoholic wine, comparing it with traditional wine. Read more...
Valpolicella
Not actually a grape, this is one of Italy's most famous wine regions. Read more...
Red Zinfandel
The Italians first called Zinfandel “Primitivo” to describe the grape’s tendency to ripen early. Read more...
Rueda Verdejo
Grown in a unique terroir that features both rocky and sandy soil rich in limestone and iron. Read more...
Rioja
Originally from Rome, some believe the Rioja grape to have been a precursor to the later Bordeaux varieties in France. Read the full article to learn more. Read more...
Nebbiolo
In the 15th century, if anyone chopped down a Nebbiolo vine, their right hand would be cut off! Read more...
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Learn about the history of this classic Italian red wine, its tasting notes, and the best foods to pair it with! Read more...
Merlot
Learn more about this single-varietal and blending grape. Read more...
Grüner Veltliner
An Austrian white wine grape. Read more...
Gewürztraminer
A slight sweetness without the overwhelming sugar of dessert wines. Read more...
Gamay
This relatively unknown grape produces easy-to-drink, floral red wines. Read more...
Falanghina
Traced back to the 7th century in the Italian countryside Read more...
Chenin Blanc
Originating from the Loire Valley of France all the way back to the 9th century. Read more...
Asti Spumante: Sparkling Wine 101 Guide
Learn about the wine produced by the oldest grape varietal in the world. Read more...
Barbera d'Asti vs. Barbera d'Alba
Learn the differences between Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba and why you should be enjoying both! Read more...
Blaufränkisch
A dry, deep purple wine from Austria. Read more...
Brunello di Montalcino
One of Italy's most sought-after varietals. Read more...
Cabernet Franc
A blending grape from Bordeaux that can shine on its own. Read more...
Carménère
One of the six grapes allowed in a Bordeaux red blend. Read more...
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, with hints of cherry and plums. Read more...
White Blends
White wine has existed for over 2500 years. Learn more about white blends! Read more...
White Zinfandel
A happy accident discovered in 1972 after a batch of red zinfandel. Read more...