Winemakers are attracted to the Carménère grape because of its pure fruit flavors and just a hint of pepper. Even though this varietal originated in France, it has been almost forgotten in that country. In fact, probably 70 or so acres of vineyard survive, mainly in the Bordeaux region. In Chile, there are over 28,000 …
This white grape is an ancient and traditional varietal in Portugal and Spain, but the Australians have taken to it, making it with their very own style. And they’re being tremendously successful. We sourced this wine from a selection of prime vineyards throughout the country. It’s worth noting that the Australians have a different view …
If there’s one question we get asked more than any other, it’s about sulfites in wine. What are they and what purpose do they serve in our wines? Check out this Q&A and “MythBusters” blog with our Wine Whisperer, Jerry Greenfield. We bet you’ll learn a thing or two! Q: What Are Sulfites? A: Chemically, …
When I first received this wine with my monthly shipment, it was a real revelation for two reasons. First, because I’ve been working in the wine industry for over 20 years and had never heard of the grape, and second because it immediately became one of our favorite whites. The name “bombino” means “little bomb” …
In Spain, “Castilla” is the name for the very central region of the country, around Madrid. In the last decade or so, new winegrowing areas have emerged in Castilla, and their quality and creativity are challenging the more traditional regions. You want to serve this wine well chilled. It’s pale straw yellow in the glass, …
Since the Mendoza region has been exporting tons of high-quality Malbec in recent years, it’s easy to understand why other varietals are not getting the same attention. Well, that needs to change. In addition to Malbec, they’re also doing incredible things with a very characteristic Spanish varietal called Torrontes. The sparkling extremely pale yellow color …
When most wine drinkers think of Sauvignon Blanc, the first thing that comes to mind is New Zealand. The second thing is probably the Loire Valley, which is the home of this particular varietal. But this type of wine is so popular that other countries are trying their hand at it…and succeeding. And even though …
Recently, I noticed on the Direct Cellars Facebook member page some back-and-forth about how some members are trying to deal with the wine bottles and boxes that seem to be stacking up at the bottom of closets, and on the floor along the walls. This is an omen. When the wine bug bites, one inevitable …
The wine world knows all about the Australians. Big bold reds…zingy whites. But what about the other Aussies…the Austrians? Even though they’re also making bold reds and zingy whites, this country’s wines haven’t resonated with American consumers as much as they deserve to. That needs to change…especially since we’ve recently sourced and shipped some delicious …
There’s no doubt that it’s an exciting time to be a part of Direct Cellars. In the last 12 months, we have launched the UK, Australia and now Germany. Sometimes, it’s so easy to get caught up in what the company is doing and forget about YOUR business. So what do all of these new …
