Merlot has a rich history, with the earliest mention of the grape noted in Bordeaux in 1784. But in our modern wine drinking era, the variety’s reputation has been on a roller coaster of social acceptance. Merlot went from being abundant to awkwardly ignored after one infamous line screeched by Paul Giamatti’s character in the 2004 movie “Sideways.” But the grape still remains important to the world of wine and shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s been making excellent wine since at leas...| VinePair
Rum continues to win hearts and fill jiggers and glasses by virtue of being one of the world’s most versatile and diverse spirits. Distilled from sugar cane juice, molasses, and other derivatives, it is crafted in column and pot stills, and matured in climates ranging from the humid Caribbean to cooler, continental warehouses. The result is a category that stretches from grassy agricoles and funky, high-ester bottlings to ultra-aged expressions that rival any whiskey. The article The 30 Bes...| VinePair
Pinot Noir is notoriously one of the most challenging grapes to cultivate, but if there’s a state with near-perfect conditions for doing so, it’s Oregon. Most of the Pinot Noir coming from the state is produced in the Willamette Valley, a region just south of Portland that spans roughly 150 miles. Given its size, the Willamette Valley has a multitude of soils, each of which produces a very distinct style of Pinot Noir characteristic of the region. The article The 10 Best Oregon Pinot Noir...| VinePair
Even though the sun is still high and several weeks exist between now and summer’s official end, beverage brands are already rolling out autumnal products to prime their customers for the fall season. It wasn’t all that long ago that Starbucks released its coveted Pumpkin Spice Latte in September, but for the past few years, that date has shifted to late August, and every other drinks company seems to be following suit. This trend is a double-edged sword. The article The 10 Best Pumpkin B...| VinePair
The once-obscure (and slightly frowned upon) concept of chilling red wine is now undoubtedly a full-blown category. The popular new style of “chillable reds” has gained favor with wine pros and casual drinkers alike over the past several years for its juicy, easy-drinking profile. And with this newfound popularity, there are more chillable reds to explore than ever before. When the category first took off, many looked to regions and varieties historically associated with cool-climate, lig...| VinePair