Wine Club Blog

How Do Viticulturists Know When It's Time to Harvest?

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

If you’ve ever wondered, are wine grapes edible? The answer is: Yes! Not only that, but how the wine grapes taste acts as an indicator for overall ripeness. Winemakers collect samples of grapes from throughout the vineyard and taste the individual berries for any green notes from under ripe seeds. As the berries mature, the seeds turn nutty, and the seeds’ tannins move from the front of the mouth towards the back of the palate.

What is a Dry White Wine vs. a Sweet White Wine?

You may have heard the terms ‘dry’ and ‘sweet’ used to describe white wines. But what exactly do these terms mean? What amount of sugar in wine constitutes a ‘dry’ wine and how sweet is sweet wine?

How to Decipher Wine Tasting Terms

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

Juicy strawberry? Racy acidity? Grippy tannins? Adjectives to describe wines may seem fanciful at first, but they offer a window into the bottle and something of a tease for the potential drinker. Anyone can improve their wine tasting skills and identify the colorful wine tasting terms so often found on tasting menus, wine bottles, or online.

Summer in a Bottle of Wine

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

Refreshing summer wines tempt the palate as a perfect pairing to rising temperatures and lighter food. Pasta salads, fruit salads, garden salads - all call for vibrant wines that bring charm to the summer season.

Wine and Cheese Pairings

Paris Trollope

Wine and cheese, can you name a better combination? This how-to will help beginners and long-time wine enthusiasts know what to pair with what and why.

Does Picking Wine Grapes By Hand vs. Machine Make A Difference?

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

Harvest season is a busy time in the vineyard. A coordinated series of decisions between the grower and winery initiates an intense burst of activity - often over a matter of hours. The grapes simply must get to the winery at the pinnacle of ripeness!

As Small Wineries Open for Tastings Post Pandemic, Plan Ahead

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

The COVID-19 restrictions on businesses are slowly easing up and winery tasting rooms are open and ready to welcome guests once again. Whether you opt for indoor or outside seating, here are a few tips to make the most out of your next tasting room visit.

Aging Wine On The Lees

Brian Branco - Certified Specialist of Wine

In the wine world, we routinely hear of how long famous Champagne, White Burgundy, or even value Muscadet wines were aging "Sur Lie" (on the lees). But what does this mean exactly? What are lees and what wines benefit from their presence? Let's take a look!

The What and How of Vineyard Cover Crops

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

Perhaps you’ve seen glossy pictures of vineyards with dancing wildflowers or silky grasses growing between the vines. While lovely to look at, their purpose is more than decorative. The vineyard manager is cultivating these versatile plants, called cover crops, to help improve and manage overall vineyard quality.

The Odd, the Obscure, and the Unique Jobs of the Wine Industry

Meghan Fitzgerald

“Don’t you know what I do for a living?” If asked this question by a member of the wine industry, don’t be surprised if the answer is something other than ‘sommelier’. Similar to the product, the selection of jobs, professions, and gigs which revolve around the wine trade are suited to taste, offering a variety of roles for a variety of qualified people.

Cabernet Franc - No longer the Blending Grape?

Brian Branco - Certified Specialist of Wine

Many times when you hear the word Cabernet Franc in a wine shop or a tasting room, it will be described primarily as a blending grape. Is it about time though, that we give Cabernet Franc the recognition it deserves?

Spring and Summer Means Rosé Wines!

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

Rosé is having something of a moment. Less than a decade ago, serious wine lovers dismissed our jeweled pink friends. Today, with so many of us spending extended hours at home, we find that a bottle of Rosé pairs seamlessly with cocktail hour, an afternoon on the sofa, weekend brunches, and everything in between.