Wine Knowledgebase
To the enthusiastic newcomer the world of wine can seem dense and confusing. Certainly, a comprehensive understanding of wine across the world is a near impossibility – but this doesn’t mean that it’s difficult or time consuming to get to grips with the basics. So, whether you want to take an in-depth look into wine regions or simply want to know why they put the fizz into champagne, read on!2009 En Primeur Report
It is difficult to forget the furore surrounding the near-perfect 2005 vintage and yet tongues are again wagging across the Bordeaux and...
Read more » Asian Wine Market
In financially uncertain times, where global equity and capital markets remain a risky prospect, investors in the Far East are instead turning their attentions to collections of fine wine...
Read more » Bordeaux 2005
Bill Blatch, a local expert on Bordeaux wines, describes the 2005 vintage as “a text-book harvest for all of Bordeaux...
Read more » Bordeaux Appellations
The concept of an appellation was developed in ancient times; it is the act of associating certain grapes may be grown in a given area, as well as other restrictions such as maximum grape yields, alcohol levels and other various quality factors.
Read more » Bordeaux Chateau Descriptions
Here we provide a brief regional overview, exploring the chateaus and the wine produced. Please click on a chateau listed to see the full description of its wine, best vintages and other information about the wine producer itself.
Read more » Bordeaux Classification Descriptions
Classifications can be extremely confusing, even to the most seasoned of wine conoisseurs. Fortunately, these articles will help you come to come to grips with the often outdated, haphazard and often frustrating classification systems that plague the...
Read more » Bordeaux Trade Structure
With nearly 11,000 wine producers, approaching 150 brokers, over 50 co-operatives and 400 negociants, the Bordeaux wine market is a key employer; it employs one-in-six of the working population living near the Gironde
Read more » Bordeaux Wine Information
Bordeaux is the world’s most productive wine region, churning out approximately 750,000,000 bottles of wine a year...
Read more » Burgundy 2009 Report
Bordeaux isn’t the only wine region to experience great success. The winter was chilly, which locked down vines and deterred pests and other blights. Flowering was consistent and unilateral, taking place in early June. Spring and early summer were...
Read more » Burgundy Appellations
The Burgundy region runs from Auxerre in the north down to Mâcon in the south, or down to Lyon if the Beaujolais area is included as part of Burgundy. Chablis, a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes, is produced in the area around Auxerre. Other...
Read more » Burgundy Classification Descriptions
Burgundy is in some ways the most terroir-oriented region in France; immense attention is paid to the area of origin, and in which of the region's 400 types of soil a wine's grapes are grown. As opposed to Bordeaux, where classifications are...
Read more » Burgundy Trade Structure
In the past, the small, fragmented vineyards of Burgundy did not make, bottle and market their own wine – to do so was considered uneconomical. Instead, they sold to the big merchants, known as negociants, who would then blend, bottle and market...
Read more » Caring for Crystal
Crystal glasses are beautiful to behold and a joy to use; however, their delicate nature and costliness require you to be a little more careful with them than your regular glasses, dishes or cups.
Read more » Champagne Bottle Sizes
Named after Biblical kings and coming in all shapes and sizes, wine bottles are a diverse bunch. If you’re wondering what exactly a “Melchizedek” bottle entails...
Read more » Champagne Reclassification
The worldwide demand for Champagne has continuously increased throughout the 1990s and 2000s. A record in worldwide shipping of Champagne (including domestic French consumption) of 327 million bottles was set in 1999 in anticipation of the end of the...
Read more » Colour of Wine
This article explains how colour is imparted to wines, exploring the role of skins and
stems during the fermentation process. It also shows how red grapes can, confusingly, produce white wines!
Read more » Corks, Stoppers and Screwcaps
Strange as it may seem, corks have not always been a permanent fixture in the wine world. As late as the mid-1600s, French vignerons stuffed oil-soaked rags into the necks of their bottles instead.
Read more » Detailed Bordeaux Appellations Map
Detailed map of Bordeaux appellations, regions & communes.
Read more » En Primeur Information
En primeur (‘Wine Futures’) is a form of purchasing wine from a given vintage prior to it being bottled. This section describes the process, as well as the advantages and pitfalls of buying wines this way.
Read more » Features Of Wine
The tannic content of a wine sometimes makes wine seem unappealing or even unapproachable to those new to the drink. Tannins, derived from the skins, stalks and pips of grapes, are instrumental in the ageing of wine: They act as a natural preservative...
Read more » Fizzy Wine Production
Unlike your average carbonated drink, putting the fizz in wine is a long and complicated process (at least it should be!). This article explores the techniques used by the great Champagne houses.
Read more » France Latest Vintages
Here we provide a brief regional overview, exploring the temperature and weather conditions of a given vintage year and how these factors impact upon the wine produced. Please click on a year listed below to see the full description.
Read more » French Grape Types
France is the world’s most important wine producing country, with a viticultural history spanning thousands of years and the highest annual production among all nations. Here we look at the grapes that are the driving force behind the French wine...
Read more » French Main Grape Varieties
France is the world's largest wine region, and it's vast swathe of local grape varieties
are not only important in the Old World, but have spread to all corners of the world.
Read more » Fridges and Cooling Wine
A wine refrigerator is intended for short-term storage, its primary purpose being to store wine at its proper serving temperature (which depends on the type of wine)...
Read more » Grape Varieties and food pairings
An in-depth list that matches various foodstuffs with grape varieties and styles – this is perfect if you have a wine at hand and want to prepare a meal that compliments it.
Read more » Health Benefits of Wine
There has been much speculation in the past few years regarding the possible health benefits of wine – or, in particular, the components in wine other than alcohol.
Read more » How to Preserve Opened Wine
Once opened, wine is subject to the process of oxidisation. This effect will eventually spoil any wine, but before examining methods to delay this process it is first important to consider how long your wine will remain enjoyable.
Read more » Ice Wine
This article delves into the history, techniques and difficulties of ice wine production.
Read more » Matching wine with food
Pairing wine with food can be a daunting prospect for the host of a dinner party. Fret no longer! By following these simple guidelines you will be able to match wine and food with confidence.
Read more » New World Vs. Old World
A debate that has been raging in the wine world for many years now is over the differences between wines coming from the Old World as opposed to those of the New World...
Read more » Oak and Wine
The use of oak in wine plays a significant role in winemaking and can have a profound effect on the resulting wine, affecting the colour, flavour, tannin profile and texture of the wine. Oak can come into contact with wine in the form of a barrel during...
Read more » Parker Lauds 2007 Rhone
There has been a lot of buzz regarding Parker’s glowing appraisal of the 2007 vintage, bestowing a full one-hundred point score on an unprecedented ten different wines.
Read more » Rhone 2009 Report
2009 was a promising year for the Rhone, which has enjoyed extremely favourable weather conditions.
Read more » Rhone Appellations
Unlike its Southern counterpart, the Northern Rhone wine region is characterised by a continental climate with harsh winters but warm summers. The impact of the minstral wind is massive, bringing colder air in from the Massif Central.
Read more » Serving Wine
Serving wine at the correct temperature is very important, and something that is often overlooked. A wine served too cold or too warm can lose an awful lot of its character, particularly with respect to aroma. This article will help you serve wine at a...
Read more » Storing Wine
Fine wine is expensive and relatively fragile, being susceptible to poor storage conditions; despite this, there is little information available on how best to store and age wine. Here we explore all the options on how to best keep your wine.
Read more » Suggested Wine Temperatures
Serving and preparing wine at the correct temperature is very important and something not to be overlooked. A wine served too cold or too warm can lose an awful lot of its character, particularly with respect to aroma.
Read more » The Wine Market of China
Although virtually unheard of outside of Asia, China is already the world’s fourth-largest producer of wine in terms of vineyards planted.
Read more » Vintage Year Reports
Vintage year reports from around the world.
Read more » Wine Around The World
Wine is produced across the world in countless styles. Here we explore each one in turn, delving into the wine making techniques used, the influence of climate and terror and the viticulture history of a given region
Read more » Wine Awards/ Events
Wine Awards are a good quality indicator, showing that the wine has passed the close scrutiny
of several wine experts. Below we give an overview of the major awards and their methodology.
Read more » Wine Bottle Sizes
Named after Biblical kings and coming in all shapes and sizes, wine bottles are a diverse bunch. If you’re wondering what exactly a “Melchizedek” bottle entails...
Read more » Wine Critics
Wine Critics can have a very big impact on the wine market, and their opinions are very influential on consumers. For this reason it is a good idea to acquaint yourself with the big names out there.
Read more » Wine Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve got a question about wine you may just find the answer you’re looking for here!
Read more » Wine Glasses
Using the optimum glass for a given style of wine requires a great deal of care and thought. This
article will point you in the right direction, showing you which glass to use and why.
Read more » Wine Glossary
The wine industry has its own vocabulary which, to the outsider, is like another language. Thankfully if you come across a wine related term you don’t understand you can always scurry back here and look it up...
Read more » Wine Tasting Descriptors (terminology)
Is your wine racy, zippy and nimble or bold, rounded and expressive? Maybe somewhere in between? Confused? Read on.
Read more » Wine Tasting Guide
Considered by many to be a snobbish activity, the act of methodically tasting and evaluating wine serves a simple purpose – to get the most enjoyment out of the wine you’re drinking! This step-by-step guide will show you how.
Read more » Your First Wine Cellar
A wine cellar needn’t be an elaborate affair – it can be as simple or as grand as you want it to be; it could be a 12-bottle pine rack in the corner of your living room, a 60-bottle metal rack in your pantry or a specialised cherry storage...
Read more »
2009 En Primeur Report, Asian Wine Market, Bordeaux 2005, Bordeaux Appellations, Bordeaux Chateau Descriptions, Bordeaux Classification Descriptions, Bordeaux Trade Structure, Bordeaux Wine Information, Burgundy 2009 Report, Burgundy Appellations, Burgundy Classification Descriptions, Burgundy Trade Structure, Caring for Crystal, Champagne Bottle Sizes, Champagne Reclassification, Colour of Wine, Corks, Stoppers and Screwcaps, Detailed Bordeaux Appellations Map, En Primeur Information, Features Of Wine, Fizzy Wine Production, France Latest Vintages, French Grape Types, French Main Grape Varieties, Fridges and Cooling Wine, Grape Varieties and food pairings, Health Benefits of Wine, How to Preserve Opened Wine, Ice Wine, Matching wine with food, New World Vs. Old World, Oak and Wine, Parker Lauds 2007 Rhone, Rhone 2009 Report, Rhone Appellations, Serving Wine, Storing Wine, Suggested Wine Temperatures, The Wine Market of China, Vintage Year Reports, Wine Around The World, Wine Awards/ Events, Wine Bottle Sizes, Wine Critics, Wine Frequently Asked Questions, Wine Glasses, Wine Glossary, Wine Tasting Descriptors (terminology), Wine Tasting Guide, Your First Wine Cellar
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