Some wine regions are easier to describe than others. If they have a tight stylistic range, it can be quite straightforward. But those that are defined by diversity and a broad offering are trickier to pin down. Cataluña, in the far northeast corner of Spain, is firmly in the second camp. It...

June 17, 2026 UPDATE: The German parliament has approved a way forward for the national classification of Germany’s premier and grand cru sites. This effectively makes the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP), which invested decades of effort in pioneering a single-vineyard classification...

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the largest appellation in the Southern Rhône, which can make it hard to handle. Matt Walls suggests some ways of breaking it down to make it more accessible.

To understand the Southern Rhône, get to grips with Grenache, says Matt Walls.

When most Italian wine consumers think about Italy, they envision the rolling hills of Tuscany or the sun-drenched shores of the Amalfi coast. However, there is much more to Italy and its wines than these landscapes. This month at WSG we turn our attention northward to the land of the Alps and the...

Over the past 20 years, the restoration of Beaujolais has been one of the great success stories in French wine. For decades it was best known for simple Beaujolais Nouveau, rushed out for consumption on the third Thursday of November every year, but the hullaballoo around this marketing stunt is...

If there’s one thing that Spanish winemakers are brilliant at, it’s identifying a region that has been ignored, forgotten or underestimated–then fulfilling its potential. Obvious examples would be Ribera del Duero, Priorat or more recently the Sierra de Gredos.

Vineyard landscape in Marsala Marsala, the fortified wine hailing from the sun-soaked hills of Sicily. A wine that embodies the rich tapestry of history and culture of an Island just a stone’s throw from mainland Italy. Having recently returned from visiting the region here is a brief introduction...

Do you know your Prosecco from your Pet Nat? And what is the transfer method in relation to traditional method? There are many kinds of sparkling wine. Check out our guide to understanding the most common styles of bubbly wines. The way those bubbles got there, along with the aromas and flavors...

Not all geographical indications (GIs) are created equal. Small ones are often associated with higher-quality wines, while broader, region-wide designations are generally reserved for more regular bottlings. Take Veneto, for instance. Names like Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico,...

Bordeaux, the capital of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is synonymous with world-class wine, stunning architecture, and a rich cultural heritage. While many know it as the home of some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, there’s much more to this historic city and its surrounding...

Galicia is one of Spain’s most exciting wine regions and wine lovers are spoiled with all the options available to them. Located in Spain’s Atlantic Northwest, Galician wines are known for their freshness, with lots of crisp acidity and citrus flavors in the white wines and crunchy red fruit and...

A new German wine law requires coming to grips with not one complex system, but three. German wine classification is vexing: impeccably precise yet notoriously inscrutable — and bifurcated at that. The good news? Germany's national classification system was recently reformed to improve clarity and...

Champagne, Fizz, Bubbles, Traditional Method or Cap Classique… all these names are synonymous with one thing, great tasting sparkling wines made in the traditional way.

Galicia is magical for many reasons. Its rolling green hills and foggy river valleys make it more like its Celtic cousins Ireland and Scotland than Spain, and you’re more likely to hear bagpipes than flamenco guitar. Instead of packing sunscreen, you’d be wise to bring an umbrella. And then...

1. Bordeaux is big Bordeaux is almost four times the size of Burgundy and represents 14% of total French wine production. There are 103,200 hectares of vines over 65 different appellations. It is the largest PDO vineyard of France and represents over 1/4 of the AOP vineyard area in France. An...

Italy has a rich and diverse history of winemaking, old vines and traditional grape varieties that contribute to the country's ancient wine culture, which has evolved throughout the centuries.

One could argue that France is the philosophical heart of fine wine. Much of what the world now does, from vineyard practices to winemaking techniques, can be traced back to the viticultural motherland. Here are some must-know terms for exploring the wines of France.

Wine is fermented grape juice…in theory. However, in practice, modern wine may be made by using a wide array of compounds aimed at facilitating the winemaking process, enhancing the product’s organoleptic qualities, or simply fixing problems before or after they arise.

Of all the styles of sherry, palo cortado is the most ambiguous, and indeed, deliberately so. The Consejo Regulador, sherry’s governing body, defines every other style of sherry in relatively specific detail, yet when it comes to palo cortado, the rules describe it simply as a wine combining the...