Wine Club Blog

Low Alcohol Wines: A New Trend

Erin O'Reilly - Certified Specialist of Wine

How do you enjoy your wine? As a cocktail before dinner? Or an accompanist to the meal? Perhaps both? If you love wine as a part of your lifestyle, you’ve probably spent time thinking about the long-term health effects of alcohol consumption. And you’re not alone. Low alcohol wines are one of the fastest growing trends in the wine industry.

Holiday Wine Gift Baskets

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we know how hard it can be to find the perfect gift for the most important people in your life. Don’t worry, we got you covered. These gift baskets are guaranteed to secure your spot as the family favorite (even though you already were, of course).

Drought in the Vineyard

From afternoons at the lake to clinking ice cubes in a glass, sizzling summer days mean everyone looks for a little water to cool off, including grape vines. But this summer California declared water rationing, resulting in restrictions for residents and agricultural businesses alike. And when drought conditions hit wine country, viticulturalists must adapt their practices to help their vines make it through the growing season.

How to Host a Blind Wine Tasting Party

Kristen Lagos

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your cocktail parties, hosting a blind wine tasting party is the perfect option. This twist on wine tasting is a great way to socialize while drinking good wine and adding a bit of competitive flare to the occasion.

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.

Dry vs. 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!