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The sheer volume of information about wine is overwhelming, so we’ve set up this page to get you started.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for more information, check out our links and resources page!
Where is the Rhone Valley and what are some of the distinct characteristics of the wines made in this region?
The Rhone Valley is in southeastern France -- south of Beaujolais, between the city of Lyon and the region of Provence. As the growing season is sunny and hot, the wines tend to be full, robust and high in alcohol. There is also a distinct difference between wines made in the northern Rhone Valley and those made in the south.
The wines made in the Northern Rhone region are 100% Syrah. The Southern Rhone wines, however, are almost always blends, with Grenache being the dominant grape varietal followed by Syrah and Mourvedre, respectively.
What is the origin of the Zinfandel grape?
Agoston Haraszthy (known as the “father of California wine”) brought Zinfandel vines to California in the 1850’s. By the 1880’s Zinfandel was rapidly gaining acceptance by California wine makers and is now the state’s most extensively planted red grape.
The origins of this grape had been a mystery for a long time. Now, a relationship between Zinfandel and Primitivo (a variety grown in Italy’s Puglia region) has been established.
Due to the popularity of Zinfandel, many Italian Primitivo wine makers are labeling their wines “Zinfandel” and exporting them to America.
If I could only pick ONE wine to serve with my Thanksgiving dinner, which one should I choose and why?
Red Zinfandel is a great choice. It’s All-American, matches well with many types of foods and has crowd-pleasing fruit flavors.
What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne?
Non-vintage Champagne (NV) is typically a blend of 5-7 vintages blended to a house style. Year to year the Champagne tastes predominately the same even though the blend may change.
Vintage Champagne is all from ONE vintage year which is named on the label. Most winemakers make vintage Champagne only during the great vintage years. The vintage Champagne will show attributes of a particular vintage and therefore will taste differently depending upon the year.
What determines the alcohol content of wine and what is the average?
The more sugar in the grape, the higher the content of alcohol in the wine. After the grapes are crushed, yeasts (organisms that exist naturally in the vineyards and on the grapes) come into contact with the sugar in the grapes and convert that sugar into alcohol.
The average alcohol content of wine is 13%. Each grape varietal has a certain amount of sugar at ripeness and this determines the alcohol content in the finished product. Pinot Noir, for example, can have as little as 11%, and late harvest Zinfandel and Shiraz as much at 16-17%.
What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?
There is no difference between them. Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. Most of the wine world uses the term “Syrah,” while the Australians use the term “Shiraz.” They believed that the grape originated from the Persian town “Shiraz” over 1,200 years ago and therefore named the grape “Shiraz.”
What is so unique about Australians in their winemaking?
The Australians tend to be a bit less traditional and adventurous in their blending of grapes. Generally grape combinations follow the classic French models of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc or Semillon with Sauvignon Blanc. The Aussies have invented two completely new formulas:
Shiraz with Cabernet Sauvignon
Semillon with Chardonnay
With this pioneering spirit in their winemaking techniques, the Australians continue to dazzle us with their delicious, unique wines.
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What is the difference between Chianti and Sangiovese?
This is a great question. Many people come into Bin 604 looking for a “Sangiovese.” What they really want is a Chianti. Chianti is a region in Italy AND the name of a wine that uses the Sangiovese grape. As Europeans typically used the region for the name of their wines, you will not see the word “Sangiovese” on a wine bottle…look for a Chianti!
When matching with foods, remember that Chianti wines have high acidity and therefore complement tomato-based foods such as pizza and ravioli.
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What makes a wine age worthy?
There are several things that make a wine age worthy. First of all it must come from a great terroir. Terroir is a collective term for the growing conditions in a vineyard, such as climate, soil, drainage, slope, altitude, topography, etc. Secondly, the wine must come from an outstanding vintage. Bordeaux, for example, had great vintages in 1960-1961, 1982, 1990 and 2000. Next, the winery must have a pedigree – a reputation for making great, long-lived wines. Lastly, the age-worthy wines are characterized by a big fruit core and plenty of structure (lots of soft, ripe tannins).
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What are the similarities and differences in Burgundy and Beaujolais?
Burgundy and Beaujolais are wines produced in Burgundy, a region in eastern France. Beaujolais lies in the southernmost part of Burgundy. The principal grape varietal in Burgundy is Pinot Noir, a fickle, temperamental and challenging grape to grow. Burgundy produces some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the world characterized by their light to medium-body, fruity flavor, relatively high alcohol and medium to low tannin.
Beaujolais’s principal grape varietal is Gamay, an unruffled grape with even disposition. The wine is deep in color and relatively low in tannin. When Gamay is harvested young, the Beaujolais-Noveau is born, a sweet young wine drunk typically in November.
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How do I know when it is the right time to drink my Bordeaux?
The answer to this question is very individual. Wine improves to a certain point and then hits its plateau of maturity. Most drinkers like to wait for the wine to mellow, so they can notice the complex flavors of the fruits. The time frame for this “waiting period” depends on the vintage and the nature of the vintage. Bordeaux tends to age very well. Some wines reach this level of maturity after 10 to 15 years; others are on another time frame. The best solution would be to ASK…let the experts tell you when the wine will reach the desired maturity level.
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I often see the words “central coast” on wine labels What is this exactly?
The central coast is a region in California located south of San Francisco (Napa and Sonoma Valley are located north of this city). The region runs from approximately Monterey to Santa Barbara down to San Luis Obispo. In this coastal area, the marine influence is stronger and the temperatures, although the central coast is geographically more in the south, are more moderate. Wineries located in the central coast region will typically produce more Burgundian and Rhone Valley grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
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What are some of the HOTTEST wineries in the central coast region?
Wineries that are “hot” are not necessarily the ones with the pretty labels or the ones filmed on the “Bachelor.” Hot wineries are relatively new, produce excellent wines, and have fair prices.
Arcadian, for example, makes excellent wines (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah) which are fairly priced. Joseph Davis, owner and wine grower of this winery located in Santa Ynez, tries to make more Burgundian-style wine. He produces lower yields and harvests earlier than the other wineries in order to achieve this style.
Jaffurs is another HOT winery in the central coast region. Craig Jaffurs is realistic in his pricing and runs an efficient, hands-on, small production. This winery, located in Santa Barbara, produces Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Rousanne, and Viognier.
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What is a “Wine Flight” and what is the purpose of drinking one?
A “Wine Flight” is series of wines that one drinks (it can be from 2 wines to many more, but we recommend 4-8) in order to enjoy, compare and contrast. Usually the wines are presented in ascending order improving in intensity and quality - a so-called “stairway to heaven.” Drinking a wine flight gives you the opportunity to enjoy and learn about many varieties of wine – all in one sitting.
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Where is the Malbec grape originally from?
The Malbec grape is from Bordeaux and is one of the five red grape varieties allowed in this region. It never really flourished in France, most probably due to climatic conditions.
In Argentina, however, Malbec is the second most widely planted grape (next to Bonarda). Argentina’s warm, dry vineyards provide excellent conditions for growing Malbec.
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What is so MARVELOUS about Malbecs?
Wines that are made from the Malbec grape are full-bodied, soft and have a friendly personality. Malbecs are also a great introduction to other varietals for those who like Merlot. For summer cookouts with grilled food – Malbec wines are the perfect match.
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