Q & A
What is a ‘Sorì’?
‘Sorì’ is a Piemontese dialect tem used for vineyard sites of the highest quality, particularly for those with an exceptional favourable southern exposure…
Q & A
What is ‘FLURBEREINIGUNG’?
‘Flurbereiningung’ is a word of considerable significance in the landscape of Germany’s wine regions, meaning ‘restructuring’, a program implemented in the second part of the twentieth century…
Q & A
What is IPR (Indicaçao de Proveniencia Regulamentada)?
The Indicaçao de Proveniencia Regulamentada, sometimes shortened as IPR, is a second-tier designated wine region in Portugal. In theory, once the region has its own regulatory body, it is a candidate for promotion to DOC status…
Q & A
What is an ‘Icon Wine’?
‘Icon Wine’ is a term used by marketers to describe high-priced wine. Icons are ultra-premium wines that cost more than super-premium wines, which in turn are more expensive than premium wines.
Q & A
What are the Ice Saints?
Ice Saints are Saints whose commemoration days fall on the last spring days on which frost is regarded as a danger. It is a local tradition in many wine regions located in the northern hemisphere…
Q & A
When workers’ salaries used to be paid in ‘wine’
The practice of paying employees in wine is probably older than the practice of paying salaries in salt. In ancient Persia, for example, wine rations offered to workers were tightly controlled and frequently considerably beyond any possible individual’s personal consumption…
Old World
Understanding DO Rias Baixas : Galicia largest wine appellation
Rías Baixas is part of the Galica region. It is also part of what is called the ‘Green Spain’ (= ‘Espana Verde’) which comprise the region of Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and Pais Vasco. It is the largest DO in Galicia in terms of wine production. It is famous for its white wines from the Albarino grape.
New World
Discovering Uruguayan wines
Uurguay, the land of gauchos and grilled meat, is located between Argentina and Brazil. It is South America fourth largest wine producer. Much of the country’s interior faces heavy humidity and subtropical temperatures, making winegrowing difficult. However, it is a country with a growing reputation regarding wine production. Let’s see why.
Intermediate
The importance of the quality of the ‘Aguardente’ in the making of Port wines
The ‘Aguardente’ (also called ‘Aguardiente’) is a distilled alcoholic spirit that is used to fortify wines when a winemaker wants to make a fortified wine…
Greece
Everything you should know about the winemaking region of Mantinia
Welcome to the country of the gods and grapes, where the lovely aroma of ripening grapes and the sound of clinking glasses fill the sun-drenched hills of Mantinia in Greece. Winemaking is a centuries-old art form in this region…