The Basics | Wine Enthusiast

Grapes 101

Crush Gruner Veltliner — Illustration by Joao Neves

Austria’s Famed Grüner Vetliner Thrives in These Global Wine Regions

An close-up image of Ruchè Grapes — An close-up image of Ruchè Grapes. / Photo courtesy of Ruche Producers Association

Ruchè’s Revival: Meet Piedmont’s Secret Darling

Counoise neon sign with glass — Illustration by João Neves

Winemakers Are Catching On to Counoise

From left to right: Jaffurs Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah (Santa Barbara County); Chronic Cellars Suite Petite (Paso Robles) and Wolff Petite Sirah (Edna Valley) — From left to right: Jaffurs Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah (Santa Barbara County); Chronic Cellars Suite Petite (Paso Robles) and Wolff Petite Sirah (Edna Valley) / Photo by Tom Arena

California’s Central Coast Is Petite Sirah’s New Champion

illustration by Monica Simon — Photo by Monica Simon

Ancient Grape Varieties Make a Comeback in Lebanon

pronunciation image of Nebbiolo above the clouds — Photo by João Neves

Nebbiolo Finds its Footing Worldwide

How To Taste

Picture of ripe red Grenache grapes hanging on a grapevine — Getty

A Six-Bottle Master Class to Grenache Noir

Five most important structural components wine — Getty

Is This Wine Any Good? The Five Most Important Structural Components to Know

A Juicy Bunch of White Grapes — Chenin Blanc Grapes in Cape Winelands, South Africa / Getty

A Six-Bottle Master Class to Chenin Blanc

Tannins wine — Getty

All the Terms Used to Define Tannins (Infographic)

Red Wine Information & Basics

White Wine Basics

Is Wine Vegetarian, Vegan or Neither?

When Should You Decant Wine?

How Long Can Wine Stay Open?

What are Tannins, Really?

Live: Wine Reviews & Ratings

Visual Guides

Drinks Terms Defined

Brix mean wine — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘Brix’ Mean in Wine?

Illustration of a beer bottle looking confused and scratching its head in front of a school chalkboard with math and formulas scribbled on it and — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘IBU’ Mean in Beer?

What does hot mean wine — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘Hot’ Mean in Wine?

What does austere mean in wine — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘Austere’ Mean in Wine?

VA wine bottle in lab — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘Volatile Acidity’ Mean in Wine?

Illustration of cartoon wine glass watching wine being blended — Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

What Does ‘Cuvée’ Mean in Wine?

Region Rundown

Douro landscape — Quinta da Leda Estate / Pnoto courtesy Casa Ferreirinha

Portugal’s Douro Superior Region Takes Its Time

Nate Crane digging out the last fermentation tank of the vintage, Va Piano Vineyards, Walla Walla, Washington / Photo by Andréa Johnson Photography

Six Myths About Washington Wine (And The Truth)

vineyards flanking river in Vinho Verde region — Lima Valley, Vinho Verde region, Portugal / Photo courtesy Vinho Verde Commission

Diversity and Innovation Keep Vinho Verde Relevant

In Vino wine bar, Yerevan, Armenia / Alamy

A Comprehensive Guide to Armenian Wine

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How It’s Made

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The Differences Between Wild and Cultivated Yeast, Explained

Pickled Garnishes — Pickled Garnishes. / Photo: Emily Hawkes / Food Styling: Judy Haubert / Prop Styling: Ashleigh Sarbone Pickle recipes garnishing cocktails

Five DIY Cocktail Garnishes to Take Your Home Bar to the Next Level

Cellar Elena Watch — Barrique Cellar at Elena Watch / Photo courtesy Elena Watch

The Differences Between New and Old Oak, Explained

Wine being degassed — Photo by Tom Arena

The Art of Degassing Wine

Harvesting at La Rioja Alta. Photo courtesy La Rioja Alta S.A. — Photo courtesy La Rioja Alta S.A.

Do Low-Yield Vines Really Make Better Wines?

pots are used to store wine in Sighnaghi, Georgia. — Getty

The Ancient World’s Answers to Aging Wine

How To Pair

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How to Pair Cigars with Brown Spirits, According to Pros

chicken wings wine — Getty

Chenin or Champagne? How to Pair Wine With Chicken Wings

Top view of cheddar cheese slices — Getty

How to Pair Cheddar Cheese with Wine

Pairology Ode to Oysters — Styled oysters on platter. / Photo by: Joel Goldberg. / Food and Prop Styling by: Judy Haubert

Four Tried-and-True Oyster and Wine Pairings

How to Serve

Woman opening bottle of wine next to man in kitchen — Getty

How Long Should I Let My Wine Breathe?

How to Clean Wine Glasses, According to Six Wine Professionals

Wine glassware — Photo by Tom Arena

Does Your Wine Glass Really Matter?

Illustration of all the ways to clean a wine decanter. — Illustration by Eric DeFreitas

How to Clean a Decanter

Wine chilling in ice bucket — Getty

Three Quick Tips to Chill Wine Fast

Two glasses of wine by a fire — Getty

At What Temperature Does Wine Spoil?

Buying + Collecting

how to store liquor in shelves at home — Getty

Vodka In The Freezer? How To Properly Store Liquor At Home

Neal Rosenthal / Photo courtesy Neal Rosenthal

What is a Wine Importer and What Do They Do?

Close-Up Of Wine Bottles On Rack_GettyImages_1920x1280 — Getty

You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune to Fill Your Cellar with Ageworthy Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Pinot Noir

Shiraz / Syrah

Malbec

Pinot Grigio / Gris

Riesling

See All Grapes

Advanced Studies

schist soil wine — Getty

Understanding Schist Soil in Wine

slate soil wine — Getty

Understanding Slate Soils in Wine

Granite soil wine — Getty

Understanding Granite Soils in Wine

Sandy soil wine — Getty

Sandy Soils Are Imperfect but Impervious to Certain Wine Threats

Goldridge soil watermark — Photo courtesy Paul R. Anamosa, Ph.D.

Russian River’s Goldridge Soil Has the Midas Touch

Rows of bottles of aged wine on wood rack — Getty

How Do You Make a Wine for the Ages?