Richard Allen

What Is Barbera? Barbera is a thick, dark-skinned grape varietal found in wine regions in Italy, including Campania, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Two decades ago, Barbera was one of the most most-commonly planted red wine varieties, just behind Montepulciano and Sangiovese, but today that is not the case. For […]

What Is Pinot Meunier? Pinot Meunier, also known simply as Meunier, is a dark-skinned grape variety used as a red blender in the production of Champagne. Meunier is a mutation of the Pinot grape group, sharing the same ancestry and characteristics with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and other Pinot varietals. Pinot Meunier might be less

What Is Trebbiano? Trebbiano Toscano, or simply Trebbiano, is an Italian white wine grape varietal, and it is one of the most planted grapes in the world. It is used for producing table wine and brandies like Armagnac and Cognac. Keep in mind that Trebbiano has many different names depending on the country and the

What Is Grenache Blanc? Grenache Blanc or Garnacha Blanc is a medium-to-full-bodied white wine that originated in Northern Spain. It is the light-skinned mutation of Grenache Noir. Grenache Blanc is best known for growing in Southern France, where pronunciation a white blender. Also, it is a member of the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. As a light-golden,

What Is Cinsaut? Cinsaut (or Cinsault) is a dark-skinned grape varietal with a red hue traditionally used as part of the Southern Rhone blend, alongside Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. That said, Cinsaut is produced as a single-varietal wine but rarely. It usually appears as a rosé expression and a light, highly aromatic, and refreshing wine.

What Is Verdelho? Verdelho is a white grape variety used to produce the fortified wines of Madeira in Portugal. Up until the nineteenth century, it was the most popular planted varietal in this region, but, since then, it lost ground to the Tinta Negra Mole (also known as Negramoll), a more reliable and easier to

What Is Syrah? Boldness and spiciness are the main Syrah characteristics. This full-bodied red wine is chock full of the most delicious aromatic aromas of ripe fruit, smoke, and black pepper, to name a few. There are slight variations on the intensity and texture depending on where the grapes have grown and the wine produced,

What Is Chardonnay? If you have ever wondered why Chardonnay is the most renowned white wine in the world, then read on to find out about the unique Chardonnay characteristics that have made it so famous. Chardonnay grapes have been growing in Burgundy, France for centuries and that is where you will find the best

What Is Petite Sirah? There is much confusion around this wine, particularly because of the similarity in the name Petite Sirah and Syrah. Besides their names, these two wines have very little in common. It is important to remember that Petite Sirah is not the baby sibling of Syrah and is certainly not a diluted

What Is Gewürztraminer Wine? Gewürztraminer is a tricky little grape variety. It is often included in beginner’s “blind tasting” courses because it has some unique aromas and flavors. Gewürztraminer characteristics are strong and easily identifiable in this concentrated, aromatic white wine. Its entrancing golden appearance, high alcohol content, and waxy texture are also clueing that