Mourvèdre is a big, gamey red wine that likely originated in Spain, before becoming internationally recognised as a Rhone Valley varietal. Most famously, it is used in “GSM” blends in the Southern Rhone, with Syrah and Grenache. It adds significant … Read More
While Argentina has Malbec, and Australia has Shiraz, South Africa’s signature grape is Pinotage, an indigenous cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. It’s a full-bodied, inky red wine, with some distinct flavours that make it an interesting wine for food … Read More
Schiava is a wine made from a range of lesser-known grape varietals from Italy’s far north, in the Trentino and Alto-Adige regions. It has some unique characteristics that make it distinct from most other red wines, including its sweet and … Read More
Touriga Nacional is one of Portugal’s indigenous grapes and has gained an international reputation for being both high-quality and highly affordable. It is one of the main parts of a fortified Port wine, where it brings a dark inky color … Read More
Valpolicella is a famous wine region in Verona, Italy, home to a renowned red wine that is also called Valpolicella. While it appears in a few different styles, the standard Valpolicella is an easy-drinking red blend, made up of 3 … Read More
Mencia is a rare red wine varietal, exclusively planted in Spain and Portugal – more specifically, it is mostly cultivated in the northeastern corner of the Iberian peninsula, in the regions of Galicia and Dão. Mencia wines are characterized by … Read More
Wine Type & Food Pairing by Chris Link · Updated June 2026 Beaujolais — made from the Gamay grape — is one of those wines I keep a bottle or two of on hand specifically because it fills a gap … Read More
Sparkling Wine Food Pairing Champagne Food Pairing Champagne is one of the most useful wines for food because it has bubbles, acidity, freshness, and enough texture to work with far more than just celebrations. It can pair with seafood, fried … Read More
Wine Type & Food Pairing by Chris Link · Updated June 2026 Carménère is one of those wines most people have walked past at the store without knowing what it is. In France, where it originated, it’s almost entirely used … Read More
Wine Type & Food Pairing by Chris Link · Updated June 2026 Albariño is one of those wines I reach for on a warm summer day when I’m sitting on the patio and want something cold, crisp, and a little … Read More