Wine Basics
Barefoot Wine: History, Range, Sweetness and Prices
Barefoot wine began in a California garage in 1965 and now belongs to Gallo. Here is its history, the range, how sweet each style is, and what it costs.
5 min read
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Every Wine Blue Book guide in one place: wine basics, grape varieties, wine regions, food pairings, wine ratings and research-based value picks.
Wine Basics
Dom Pérignon: The Monk, the Myth and the Champagne
Dom Pérignon is a vintage-only Champagne named for a monk who didn't invent Champagne. The real history, the Plénitudes, critic scores and US prices.
8 min read
Wine Basics
La Marca Prosecco: Who Makes It, How Sweet, What It Costs
La Marca Prosecco is a DOC sparkling wine from Treviso sold under Gallo in the US. Who makes it, its sweetness and alcohol, the range, and what it costs.
7 min read
Wine Basics
Lillet: The Bordeaux Aperitif, Its Styles and Cocktails
Lillet is a wine-based French aperitif from Podensac near Bordeaux, sold as Blanc, Rosé and Rouge. Here's what it is, how to serve it and how long it keeps.
5 min read
Wine Basics
Stella Rosa Wine: The Riboli Family's Sweet, Fizzy Range
Stella Rosa wine is a semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian range from LA's Riboli family, about 5% alcohol. The story, the flavors, ABV and US prices.
7 min read
Wine Basics
Veuve Clicquot: The Widow, the Yellow Label and the Prices
Veuve Clicquot is the Reims Champagne house run by a 27-year-old widow from 1805. Her story, the Yellow Label, Rosé and La Grande Dame, with US prices.
6 min read
Wine Basics
Sweet Vermouth: The Rosso Style, Brands and Cocktails
Sweet vermouth is the red, bittersweet Italian style behind the Manhattan and the Negroni. Here is how it's made, the classic brands and how to store it.
5 min read
Wine Basics
Blanc de Blancs vs Blanc de Noirs: What They Mean
Blanc de Blancs is sparkling wine made only from white grapes; Blanc de Noirs comes only from black grapes. What each means, how they differ and what to eat.
7 min read
Wine Basics
Canned Wine: Can Sizes, Standard Drinks and Shelf Life
Canned wine is regular wine in a lined aluminum can. How many drinks each can size holds, what research says about liners, and how long to keep it.
7 min read
Food Pairings
Cooking Sherry: What It Is and What to Buy Instead
Cooking sherry is salted wine sold near the vinegar, and it isn't the same as real dry sherry. What's in it, when it works, and which bottle to buy.
5 min read
Food Pairings
Cooking Wine: What It Is and Why Regular Wine Is Better
Cooking wine is wine with added salt and preservatives, sold near the vinegar. What's in it, how US rules treat it, and when to buy real wine instead.
5 min read
Wine Regions
Côtes de Provence: France's Rosé Appellation Explained
Côtes de Provence is the largest wine appellation in Provence, and about 90% of it is rosé. Its grapes, official rules, five sub-areas, label terms and food.
7 min read