Wine Facts

Call it bubbly or bubbles, but don't call what's in your glass Champagne unless it truly is. How do you know? It depends on where and how it's made.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Sherry and port are both fortified wines. But their similarities end there.

By Muriel Vega

There are a lot of theories about why wine bottles have dents (or punts) on the bottoms. Do they still serve a purpose?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

This syrupy sweet wine is synonymous with Passover and other Jewish holidays. So why is it popular with so many people outside the Jewish community as well?

By Jeremy Glass

You might think prosecco and Champagne are the same because they both have bubbles, but you'd be wrong. So what's makes a quality prosecco?

By Stephanie Vermillion

If you've ever had sediment - or crystals - in the bottom of your wine glass or on a cork, you've had wine diamonds. Are they a sign of a bad bottle?

By Jennifer Walker-Journey

How much does the shape of your wineglass really affect the taste of your favorite pinot noir? Probably more than you realize.

By Stephanie Vermillion

Boxed wines have a stigma, and we're here to tell you there's just no need for it. They taste as good, last way longer and are more eco-friendly than bottled.

By Stephanie Vermillion

One glass of wine might not be a big deal, until you consider how much glass sizes have increased.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

As the old saying goes, appearances can be deceiving. Most of us use price, the label on the bottle and vintage to prejudge a wine's quality. But do expensive wines actually taste better, or is it all just sour grapes?

By Laurie L. Dove

Wine lovers are sometimes called snobby, in part because they seem to speak a language of their own. Yet, their beloved beverage likely had some humble beginnings.

By Laurie L. Dove

When pairing food and wine it is necessary to consider the seasonings in the dish and how it was cooked. Learn how to pair wines with savory foods here.

Some sweet wines need not be paired with food at all because they are almost a dessert in themselves. Learn how to pair wine with sweet food.

Think there's just a few crushed grapes and some sugar in your wine? Think again. There's a lot more that goes into making that bottle of vino we all love.

By Beth Brindle

If working with wine is your ultimate dream, there are a number of ways in. From making the wine to working the fields, we'll tell you about the 10 coolest jobs.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Wine enthusiasts are eager to view nutrition research through rose-colored glasses -- ourselves included. We set aside our bias to find 5 facts about the nutritional value of red wine.

By Christine Venzon

Rose wines are favorites for warm summer days. They may have a hint of their fruity origin, but they aren't necessarily sweet.

By Natalie Kilgore

Grapes beget wine. Wine begets joy. And grapevine care -- including pruning -- is vital to getting the best vino. Learn how timing, technique and the extent of pruning affect vine health, grape yield and quality of product.

By Heather Kolich

Don't be fooled into thinking you have to pay more for a good bottle of wine. Just be informed, be practical and keep tasting.

By Jodie Schneider

Port is made in a number of winemaking countries, but the authentic product is unique to Portugal. Find out how this typically sweet wine came to be.

By Sara Elliott

Serving champagne properly is more than pouring it into a glass -- it takes preparation and practice. How can you serve up this bubbly beverage the right way at your next celebration?

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you've seen someone performing an actual wine tasting, you know there's a lot of swirling, sniffing, sipping and spitting going on, but how exactly does one determine specific notes and flavors?

By Elizabeth Abbess

Any backyard vintner can turn grapes into alcohol, but only a few can craft a good bottle of wine. With these five hints, you might just go from booze to Bordeaux.

By Robert Lamb

Like milk, wine can spoil, and changes in temperature or light exposure can speed up the spoilage. Wine cellars work to protect bottles from the elements, and they also give you a nice place to show off your collection and store those vintage labels.

By Olivia Page

As a rule, alcohol can be expensive. But even those who don't shy away from paying $150 for a bottle of Dom Perignon or $350 for a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne may be shocked to see just how much some wine collectors spend.

By Vivien Bullen