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

Sadly, it’s nearly time to say goodbye to summertime. Last chance to drink up the warm evenings before sweater weather takes hold. Thankfully, we’ll be spending this month in a region that has the perfect wines to transition into Autumn – Central Italy! Here, for many years, the vast majority of production was bulk wine of middling quality that was sold to negociants, or wine consumed locally in cafés. As international palates continue to crave new, unique flavors, these regions have been tapped for their unique take on one of Italy’s most famous grape, Sangiovese and many more varietals unique that continue to impress, especially the dinner table. While

Riesling is perhaps the world’s most misunderstood grape. Despite producing some of the most exciting, elegant and ageable white wines you’ll find anywhere, the mere suggestion of Riesling will often incite a cringe from the typical dry wine drinker. Thankfully, in recent years, dry Rieslings have surged in popularity in the United States, as more and more lucky people realize that it is not by definition a sweet wine, and can provide as much crisp refreshment as a Sauvignon Blanc. Sure, there is a lot of badly-made, overly-sweet Riesling on the market, but we promise you – the best examples have a sense of life and verve that

The “noble grape” of Spain, Tempranillo is responsible for the country’s greatest red wines. While it is also often bottled as a juicy, inexpensive, ready-to-drink young table red, its greatest expressions are incredibly complex, significantly oak-aged and can age for decades. Though the wines can vary greatly depending on terroir and winemaking style, typical characteristics of the varietal include aromas and flavors of red and purple fruits, dill, tobacco and herbs. As they age, the color takes on lighter, rusty tones, the fruit notes become dustier and tertiary aromas of leather and earth start to come through. This thick-skinned, low-acid, early-ripening varietal (temprano means “early” in Spanish) flourishes in