by Dina Given | Sep 12, 2022 | Grape Varieties, Wine Education, Wine Recommendations
When I took my wine exam this past May, I was required to complete a blind tasting of 12 wines organized into four flights of three wines each. The goal of the first flight is to identify the common grape variety. I thought I had it in the bag, until I reached the...
by Dina Given | Sep 12, 2022 | Grape Varieties, Off The Beaten Wine Trail, Wine Recommendations
Although Txakolina looks like a terribly difficult name to pronounce, it is actually quite easy, and kind of fun to say – “chah-kuh-leena.” But what the heck is it?! Txakolina is a low alcohol, lively, dry white wine that can sometimes have a little...
by Dina Given | May 27, 2022 | Grape Varieties, Wine Education, Wine Recommendations, Wine Travel
A few weeks ago I Coravined a glass of the 2019 Mullineaux Quartz Chenin Blanc ‘Leliefontein’ from Swartland, South Africa in preparation for my WSET Diploma tasting exam to meet the “high quality Chenin Blanc” recommended tasting. It was so...
by Dina Given | Apr 17, 2020 | Grape Varieties, Wine Education, Wine Recommendations
In a nutshell: Fruity and smooth, not heavily oaked, with flavors of plum, blackberry and a chocolatey finish. Where it is primarily grown: Argentina Cahors, France Also Known As: Cahors (in France) Fun Facts: Malbec is a highly drought-tolerant grape that loves the...
by Dina Given | Mar 24, 2020 | Grape Varieties, Wine Education, Wine Recommendations
In a nutshell: An incredibly versatile grape that can produce delicious white wines in a wide range of styles – dry and lean, rich and aromatic, sweet and luscious, and bubbly sparklers. Where it is primarily grown: Loire Valley, France South Africa Wine Styles:...
by Dina Given | Feb 24, 2020 | Grape Varieties, Wine Education, Wine Recommendations
In a nutshell: Produces fruity off-dry late harvest wines and sweet dessert wines called Icewine Drink young Where it is primarily grown: Canada New York State Sweden Wine Styles: Off-dry to sweet dessert ice wine Dry white wine Fun Facts: Vidal is one of the very few...
