Grape Varietals
A complete guide to Barbera, Piedmont's great everyday red wine — its flavor profile, the difference between Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti, how it compares to Barolo, and why it pairs so naturally with the Japanese table.
What is Gewürztraminer? We explain this distinctive aromatic white wine known for its bold rose and lychee aromas — dry vs. sweet styles, Japanese food pairings, and our Italian-import recommendation.
Pignatello (aka Perricone) is one of Sicily's oldest indigenous red grapes, once the backbone of Marsala Rubino. Discover its history, dry-style character, and how it pairs with Japanese cuisine.
What is Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)? From the UNESCO-recognized alberello vine training tradition on Sicily's Pantelleria island to the dry style and food pairings, this guide covers everything.
A complete guide to Refosco, one of Italy's oldest grape varieties — from the osmizza farmhouse wine tradition of the Carso plateau to Bosco del Merlo's Roggio dei Roveri, available at Swirl.
A comprehensive guide to frizzante, Italy's lightly sparkling wine category, covering definitions, regional styles, production methods, food pairings, and tasting flights.