We had such fun exploring the sunny south of Italy, but it’s time to head back stateside and visit one of our most renowned winemaking regions – the Pacific Northwest! The Pacific Northwest includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho (good for more than just potatoes, ladies!) and Canada’s British Colombia, and turns out world class examples of classic varietals like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris among others. The wines encompass a wide range of styles and stand up as some of the best examples of certain grapes not just in the United States, but the world! These wine regions are characterized by diversity. Oregon’s most famous wines

Sauvignon Blanc is a grape that produces some of the world’s most popular and distinctive white wines. This refreshing white always hits the spot on warm summer evenings, and is particularly apt for light food pairings. The Sauvignon Blanc grape is known for producing wines that are zippy, light-bodied, dry, and citrusy. Sauvignon Blancs are always highly reflective of the terroir that they came from. While all good juice made from this varietal is highly expressive, these expressions can range from tropical-fruited with bright citrus flavors, to grassy with fresh herbal tones and complex minerality. Of course, we can go on and on about how tasty good Sauvignon Blanc

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 Spain might be third to Italy and France in terms of wine production, but this Old World country actually has more land under vine than anywhere else in the world. These vines, planted on everything from limestone and clay to alluvial, mineral-rich soils, grow ripe and concentrated grapes that turn into some of our favorite wines. Spain is known for their great values just as well as their highly renowned and sought-after offerings from traditional, notable producers throughout the country. We’ve already delved into Spain’s favorite red grapes, Tempranillo and Garnacha, but this month we’re taking a step back to get a tasty, teeth-staining overview of the diversity

For one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is surprisingly contentious - everyone seems to have a strong opinion, whether positive or negative. That’s because most of us here in the States immediately associate it with the low-acid, creamy, buttery style that became so popular in the 1980s. Some people enjoy those oaky flavors, some less so, and either way is fine - but even for those of you who don’t like that style, there’s a whole world of Chardonnay to discover! This month, we’re going to show you that Chardonnay is one of the most versatile varietals in the viniferous world - stick with us, and

This month we're visiting our sister continent in the Southern Hemisphere to taste wines from Argentina, Chile, and beyond! Viticulture in South America is older than you might think, beginning as early as 1557 when vines were brought to South America by Spanish missionaries to make wine for religious purposes. The wine was mass produced from Mission grapes Pais and Criolla and was, well…not very good. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s when grapes such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere arrived from France, launching South America to its place as one of the top wine producing countries in the world! When phylloxera devastated Europe in the 19th century,

After a joyful month of sparkling delights, it’s time to get back into cozy winter mode (no matter what the temperature may be outside). And there are few wines better for keeping you warm and toasty than that which we’ll be exploring this month – Zinfandel! The typical jammy, spicy, and smooth nature of these wines makes them perfect for keeping you company in front of the fireplace, or on the couch under a blanket. The big, bold flavors also make the perfect match for a heaping plate of BBQ or a sharp, salty cheese like Cheddar. The Zinfandel grape produces deliciously ripe, extroverted and richly-textured red wines. They

It’s the most wonderful time of year, when Girls on Grapes devotes a magical month to the most festive, joyful wines in the world - bubbly! Get ready to pop some corks, ladies, because we’re gonna be drinking some sparkling wine. But don’t let the timing fool you into thinking that bubbles are only appropriate for holidays and celebrations - sparkling wine is the perfect beverage anytime, anyplace. (And we mean anytime - don’t underestimate the breakfast pairing abilities of Champagne!) We at the Bin have dedicated our lives to fighting that unfortunate misconception, and promoting the versatility of these astounding wines. Our manifesto is, simply put, that

With the weather getting chillier, it’s time to delve into the intricacies of everyone’s favorite big red grape – it’s Cab Sauv season, ladies! The king of all the “noble varietals,” Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the best-recognized grape around the world with plantings everywhere from France and California to more unexpected locales such as Greece and Israel. Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively young grape, having been developed in the 17th by crossing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Its hardy, disease-resistant nature made it immediately appealing to growers; it can thrive in a variety of climates and terroirs, and thus today can be found in virtually every country that produces

Welcome to autumn, ladies! In this bipolar time of year, when you never know if tomorrow will bring sun and warmth or a dreary, cloudy day, Grenache is a great go-to no matter the weather. One of the most widely-planted red grapes in the world, Grenache can display different characteristics depending on where it is grown. Its typical bold red fruit flavors and juicy, medium-to-full-bodied palate, however tend to make Grenache wines surefire crowd-pleasers for any occasion. Grenache most likely originated in the Mediterranean, with the most renowned examples still coming from Spain (where the grape is called Garnacha) and southern France. The best of these are made from