Workers harvesting Merlot grapes from a vineyard

Merlot, Merlot, Merlot…

Happy International Merlot Day! Here are 10 facts about Merlot you may (or may not) know: Merlot is the child of Cabernet Franc & Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, recent DNA testing has proven this where the grape’s full origins were unknown for many years. Merlot’s soft skin is…

All About Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir (literally: Black Pine, due to the grapes color and cluster looking like a black pine cone), is one of the most globally popular grapes, has a long growing history pre-dating the Roman Empire, and could be upwards of 1,000 years older than the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. …

Drawing of an older delivery truck

Transportation & Enjoyment (Musings on Bottle Shock & Travel Conditions)

To understand the ideas behind travel & bottle shock (bottle sickness, travel shock, shipping shock), we must first understand that wine is a living, breathing organism.  This is from the same understanding that is the basis of aging wines.  We’d always prefer a cool, dark cellar with stable…