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Old World Wine

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Buy Champagne Online – A Beginner's Guide
Wine websites are full of information for the champagne novice. They also offer champagne delivery, and online is ideal for those who want to send champagne as a gift.
Prosecco, Italy's Bubbly, is Better Than Ever
Prosecco's flavor, easy drinking style and affordable price has made it a hit internationally. New rules guarantee the Prosecco you're drinking really is from Italy.
Wine Glassware and How to Choose It
Wine glassware matters. The distinction between red wine glasses and white wine glasses is not great, but to serve red wine in champagne flutes really would be a blunder.
Beer - From Europe to America
While the English gave drinkers its thirst for beer, it was the 19th century German immigrants who introduced some of their fine brewing techniques
French Wines from Alsace, AOC and Grand Cru
Tucked away in eastern France, Alsace produces some of the finest white wines in the country, blessed by generous sunshine and perfect soil.
A Gallon Of Ale
The fermentation of malted barley is a simple process. It produces an amazing beverage that raises spirits (and taxes) but has had a vexed provenance.
Beer in Ancient Times
Beer is mentioned on some of the oldest tablets of written history yet found. Most of the ancient peoples of the world made some kind of alcohol.
Ice Wine
Ice wine is wine made from frozen grapes. It is made in both the new and the old world and is very labor intensive to produce. It can therefore be expensive. Learn more!
Rosé Wine
A rosé wine is pinkish in colour and produced using one of three different methods: grape skin contact, saignée or blending. Learn more
The Ale Conner's Judgement Seat
Why would the inn-keepers of old England fear a visit from the 'Ale Conner'? Bad brewing techniques brought an undignified punishment
Magical Mead
Mead is a pleasant alcoholic drink made from diluted honey and water, fermented by yeast. It is possibly the earliest known alcoholic drink.
Great Wines For Valentines
An informed choice of wine to accompany your food will ensure an enjoyable meal and impress your partner with your knowledge of wine and gastronomy.
Austrian Wines In The UK
This specialist in niche wines was short-listed for the 2009 'Online Merchant of the Year' category in the Decanter Magazine Retailer of the Year Awards.
How Wine Tasting Has Changed Wine Making
The explosion of New World wines has transformed the way Old World wines are made, as Europe adapts to changes in taste.
How to Drink Wine like an Expert Wine Taster
There are four steps that every wine drinker should follow to fully appreciate any glass of wine. Taste is only a small part of the simple process.
French Champagne Makes Valentine's Day Sparkle
Learn the origins of this exceptional drink as well as the French Champagne-making process and what to consider when you purchase, store, open and serve Champagne.
Vintage Port Wine
An introduction to the basics of Port wine production and the joys of slowly sipping an after-dinner glass of aged Bacchanalian perfection.
Spanish Wine Basics - Regions and Varietals
Spanish wines are growing in popularity. Learn how to read a Spanish wine label and bring home a quality bottle to pair with your next meal.
Beaujolais Nouveau 2009, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
'Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé!' Addis Ababa version, a glittering French wine-tasting evening at the Sheraton Addis, is definitely 2009's Party of the Year.
Italian Grappa Gains Popularity
Grappa is no longer your Italian grandfather's throat scorching drink. The best are coming from Italy's artisanal producers, sparking a wave of interest for this spirit.
Academy To Define Terroir
The French word terroir is used (also in English) to denote a winemaking approach which eludes many. The Académie Internationale du Vin wants to change that.
Italian Wine Basics
Learn about popular Italian wines, their grapes, the regions they come from and how to pair them with your next Italian meal.
Ramandalo and other DOCG Appellations of Italy
There are several regions in Italy that may not produce as many DOCG appellations as other regions, but still deserve recognition for their outstanding appellations.
DOCG Wines of Lombardy, Veneto and Campania
Lombardy, Veneto and Campania are three regions of Italy that collectively produce a large portion of Italy's DOCG wines.
Barolo, Barbaresco & More – Piedmont's DOCG Wine
With nine appellations, Piedmont is Italy's leader in unique DOCG production. Some of Italy's best wines, like Barolo and Barbaresco, come out of this region.
Chianti and Other DOCG Appellations of Tuscany
Tuscany is famous for rolling hills, sprawling vineyards and outstanding wine. While Chianti is the region's most famous appellation, it produces several others.
The Italian Wine Label and Classification System
Using the Italian Wine Classification system is a great way to determine quality Italian wines. Although it isn't a perfect system, it can be a very helpful guide.
Best Reads On Swiss Wine
Swiss wine is getting more and more attention nowadays, but reliable information in English is still hard to come by. Here's how to gain fast access to the best of it.
Best Swiss Wines of 2009
The annual Swiss wine awards crown the best vintages and winemaker. The list of winners is an excellent resource for those seeking an introduction to Swiss wines.
Wine on Madeira, Portuguese Atlantic Island
Madeira fortified wine is well known for its excellence but the island's noble grapes also produce quality dinner wines, increasingly popular with connoisseurs.
Tasting French Wines
As part of their worldwide program of wine presentations, members of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux conduct a tasting event in Geneva.
Wine Gifts for Wine Lovers, Cheap or Expensive
Wine lovers are easy to buy for with this list of wine gifts for Christmas from cheap corkscrews, glass charms and pourers to luxury decanters and vintage fine wine.
How to Invest in Fine Wine, Vintage Bordeaux
Buying vintage wines may sound like a high risk strategy, but complete novices can safely invest in fine wine from Bordeaux by using a specialist wine investment company.
The DNA of the Chasselas Grape
Recent findings show that the Chasselas grape is Swiss, more specifically from the area around Lake Geneva that to this day produces the world's finest Chasselas wines.
How to Order Wine at a Restaurant
Navigating a restaurant wine list shouldn't require a GPS. There are many resources available to match the right wine with the right meal (and budget).
French Wines, Whites and Reds in Savoie-Alps
In the foothills of the French Alps, Savoie offers a wide range of quality wines, on a par with the finest vintages in the country.
Port Wine Shippers – Why are They So British?
To buy port wine is to buy into Portugal's history. And the British have acquired more of a taste than any other nation for the fortified wine of the River Douro.
Buy Port Wine and Give Your Taste Buds a Treat
What is port wine? Well, it's a fortified wine, and it comes in many styles: tawny port wine and late bottled vintage to name but two. And the best port wine is wonderful
How to Pair Red and White Wine with Food
It has been said red wine should be paired with beef and white wine with fish and chicken. The rule may not be so strict, but it's still a helpful guideline.
Buying Greek Wines Online in the UK
Greek wines are online, with wines from islands like Kefalonia and Santorini, so whether it's red, white, sparkling or even retsina, it can be bought on the internet.
Pairing Food With Wine: Champagne
Picking the right food to go with any wine is hard, this article aims to provide a generalized list of foods that match a bottle of bubbly.
The Real Vin Du Glacier
'Vin du Glacier' is sometimes used in English as a term for cryo ice wine, but the real stuff is actually a sherry-like solera wine for home consumption from the cask.
Four Great Wines to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner
When going to Thanksgiving dinner as a guest, one must bring a gift for the host, who has spent the day fussing over the turkey & fixings. Great wine makes a great gift.
Grain Noble ConfidenCiel Sweet Wines
Grain Noble wines are natural sweet whites made from withered and botrytized grapes by over 30 charter-bound winemakers in Switzerland's canton Valais.
English Wine Heading for Success
England's winemakers are predicting a record year for English wine due to bumper crops from the summer sunshine.
The History of Wine Making in China
China is one of the first regions to produce the alcoholic beverage of wine. Early archeological research shows that early Chinese production dates to at least 3000 BC.
Blanquette de Limoux, French Sparkling Wine
The sparkling Blanquette de Limoux is an elegant affordable wine from the South of France, ideal for Christmas and year round celebrations.
Vin Jaune is Catching On
Yellow wine - slightly oxidized and resembling sherry in taste - is acquiring more and more fans internationally, not least thanks to an annual festival celebrating it.
Ways to Serve Mead, Drink of Irish Kings
The drink of Irish High Kings, newlyweds, and festivals for a few thousand years, mead is a creative alternative to more traditional wines and compliments all meals.
The Many Faces of Chasselas
Associated mainly with Switzerland, dig a little deeper and Chasselas wine puts in an appearance on several continents albeit not always under the same name.
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