ABOUT WINE

Wine is the fermented juice of grapes. Only one species of grape, Vitis Vinifera, is used for nearly all the wine made in the world. From this species as many as 4,000 varieties of grape have been developed. Of the many varieties, only about a dozen are commonly used for wine making around the world. The chief varieties are: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, and Shiraz. Click on a variety to the right to learn more about its characteristics, food matches, and recipes that highlight the varietal.

Discover a Myriad of Tastes

We welcome you to try a plethora of tastes as the holiday season unfolds! Some of the best foods you will have all year come during these holiday months; we tempt you to make them even better with a glass of your favorite wine.

If you are a novice wine drinker, our Virtual Tasting Room will get you started on the basics of wine tasting. To take it a step further, visit our Cheese and Wine Pairing guide for some simple pairing ideas, particularly for the opportunities you have this time of year for entertaining friends and family. Finally, for a more integrated aid in pairing food and wine, visit our Food & Wine Pairing Wheel, for some exciting new ideas on what to pair with your holiday feasts!

Click here to learn the 5 steps to tasting wine.