Wine Education and Tips
What blending is, how it differs from single-varietal wines, and the little-known historical fact that Chianti was legally required to include white grapes until 2006. An Italian sommelier explains the technique behind wine complexity.
What terroir means — explained through its three elements: soil, climate, and topography. How Cistercian monks discovered the concept in 1110 at Clos de Vougeot, and how to taste it in a Maremma wine today.
A sommelier's guide to reading wine labels — DOCG, DOC, IGT and Italian classification explained, plus vintages, producers, and how to use label information when choosing wine in Japan.
A complete guide to dry wine: how residual sugar is scientifically measured, why some wines labeled "dry" still taste sweet, and the philosophy behind Italy's secco tradition. With our top dry wine recommendation.
Vintage in wine refers to the year printed on a wine label: the year the...
The story behind Super Tuscan wines — how they emerged by breaking Italy's appellation rules, why IGT does not mean inferior, food pairings, and when to drink them. Explained by an Italian-born wine importer in Tokyo.