Add these light, refreshing, and flavorful white wines to your list for the next time you head to the store!

Albariño

Albariño is one of the world’s trendiest white wines right now. Originating in northwestern Spain and Portugal, this crisp and dry white wine explodes with citrus flavors and pairs excellently with seafood.

Sauvignon Blanc

This French varietal is now grown throughout the world, as drinkers have fallen in love with the green apple, lime, white peach and passion fruit tones that Sauvignon Blanc offers. Zesty, sharp, and tending towards being a very young wine, this grape is perfect for spring.

Prosecco

Looking for something sparkling? Why not try Prosecco, Italy’s favorite sparkling white wine? The Glera grape is used to create a fizzy, brut-style sparkling white that is perfect for sipping while outside on the porch or at a picnic.

The post Try These Refreshing White Wine Varieties This Spring appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

While we’ve all heard of varieties such as Pinot Noir and Riesling, one under-the-radar white wine that you’ll love if you can get your hands on it is called txakoli. This wine, originating from the Spanish portion of the Basque Country, is super dry, light, and it even has bubbles!

Txakoli (pronounced cha-ko-LEE) has been produced in the rainy, Atlantic regions of the Basque Country since the 15th century, when land owners began trying to use grapes to make a unique wine that would acquire characteristics of the region. They were successful, and mostly produced small batches to drink at home.

However, when the 1980s rolled around and Basque culture started to become more well-known inside of Europe and in the world as a whole, txakoli began to be sold and produced on a commercial level. Nonetheless, the traditional hallmarks of txakoli, such as manual harvest and its fizziness, stayed the same.

Txakoli has a low alcohol percentage and is extremely dry. It is often drunk before meals as an aperitif, as diners love to cleanse their palate with its carbonic and citrus-like flavors. It’s perfect for sipping while relaxing at the pool or outside in the summertime without food, as well.

If you can find txakoli, be sure to give it a try this summer!

The post Ever Heard of Txakoli? This Basque Wine is Perfect For Summer appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This type of lighter wine originates from northern Portugal, and it is on fire lately and gaining popularity as a delicious option. Although it was largely unknown outside of its native Portugal for some time, it’s now becoming widely-known worldwide. Here’s why.

Grapes

Most of the grapes used to make the white vinho verdes are native to the region. They include Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso, and Azal grapes. All are light white grapes that create a citrusy, straw-colored wine. Some wine-makers even make red vinho verde with other native grapes, although this is much less popular.

Wine-Making Process

“Vinho verde” literally means “green wine,” which refers to the little time that elapses between harvest and bottling. These grapes only spend 3-6 months fermenting to make the wine. This creates a low-alcohol wine, usually between 8-11% ABV, that also has some residual carbonation, giving it a refreshing body.

Flavor Profile

Vinho verde wine is usually light and easy to drink. Its low alcohol content and slight fiziness make it a great option for sitting out on the porch on a hot day. Vinho verdes usually contain citrusy and grassy notes with a tropical aroma.

Be sure to check out this trending wine if you find it at your local grocer!

The post Vinho Verde: This Portuguese Wine is a Hit appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are four things about rose that you might not have known!

It’s Made from Red Grapes

Rose wine, contrary to popular belief, isn’t a blend of white and red grapes. It’s made from red grapes whose skins are left to macerate only for a limited amount of mine, producing the characteristic color of the wine.

It’s Best to Drink it Soon

While rose wine is delicious, it doesn’t age well. Its chemical composition simply doesn’t lend well to aging. It’s best to drink rose within a couple of years of its bottling date to enjoy it at its best.

The Name? It’s French!

The name that we use in English for this type of fine is actually a loan word from French. In Spanish, for example, it’s known as “vino rosado,” and in Italian, they call it “rosato.”

It’s the Oldest Type of Wine on Earth

When the ancient Greeks and Romans became the first civilizations in the planet to make wine, all that they produced was rose! Why? They used red grapes, but didn’t yet know that leaving the skins in for a longer time would produce what we now know as red wine.

The post Four Things You Didn’t Know About Rosé Wine appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Fortunately, it’s actually quite easy now to visit France’s wine regions to discover its vineyards and wineries. The only problem is that there are so many regions to choose from!

Here are my recommendations for three must-visit wine regions in France.

Bordeaux

Sandwiched the Garonne River and the Atlantic Ocean in southwestern France is one of the world’s premier regions for red wine. The unforgettable chateaus of the Bordeaux region and beautiful towns such as Saint-Emilion make it a must-visit for wine lovers, and that’s without even mentioning the blissful wine tastings that you’ll surely experience.

Champagne

Did you know that this world-famous sparkling wine is actually named after a French wine region? Champagne is located east of Paris in northeastern France and combines picturesque windmills with rolling hills and some of the world’s most famous and delicious sparkling wines.

Burgundy

In Eastern France, south of Paris, you’ll find the wine region of Burgundy, which produces full-bodied red and white wines that are a joy to drink. Here, you’ll find plenty of vineyards that grow well-known varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you go in fall, you’ll find the grape leaves unforgettable as they acquire fiery red and orange hues.

The post These Are France’s Best Wine Regions to Visit appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, this Italian sommelier is an expert in wine and telling stories. She travels the world (mostly Europe) trying delicious wine and telling the stories of the vineyards that she visits.

The large majority of the wines that she tries and the wineries that she visits are from Italy. The best wines in the world are from here, so why not?

@wineteller also travels to other countries from time to time to see sights and try wine, however. Take a look at this spectacular shot of a Spanish cava in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

In addition, since the genius behind this account is a master sommelier, you can learn a lot about wine pairings with food here. Often, she shares photos of perfect wine and food combinations. I’ve learned a lot about how to pair wine with food since following @wineteller.

This account is a must-follow for any wine lover looking to learn and discover more about wine. Give her a follow today!

The post Love Wine? You’ve Gotta Check Out This Instagram appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

While it isn’t as famous as other white wines such as Riesling and Chardonnay, a type of wine called Albariño is one of the top white wine grapes in the world.

This white wine grape is known for its fresh, citrusy flavor. It pairs perfectly with fish and seafood.

Albariño grapes grow in the temperate Atlantic climate of northern Portugal and Galicia. Despite being located in two Mediterranean countries, this area is mild throughout the year and receives some of the highest rainfall totals in all of Europe.

The result is a white wine that is dry and not overly sweet, which is one of the principal complaints when evaluating most Spanish and Portuguese white wines. The temperature climate of the region and the characteristics of the Albariño grape allow for a citrusy, dry wine that is extremely refreshing.

Spanish Albariño wines are generally more dry than their Portuguese counterparts. The Rías Baixas wine region in Galicia produces some of the top white wines in the world using this grape.

In Portugal, Albariño grapes are also used to produce vinho verde, a bubbly, low-alcohol wine that is truly unique.

Be sure to try this unique wine varietal if you get the chance!

The post The Albariño Grape Produces Some of the World’s Top White Wines appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Made from fermented grapes, this alcoholic beverage is one of the most beloved drinks in the world. Its presence has been noted in human societies for over 9000 years.

Let’s take a look at the five countries that produce the highest volume of wine on an annual basis.

Italy

It probably won’t surprise you that Italy is the world’s top wine producer. Regions such as Tuscany, home of delicious reds, and Veneto, which is where Prosecco comes from.

France

France comes in at number 2 on the list, just behind Italy. France is known for an array of wine varieties, including the world famous Champagne white grape as well as the reds that come from Bordeaux.

Spain

The third highest-producing wine country in the world is another European country. Spanish wine encompasses an array of flavors, ranging from the dry, citrusy whites of the Rias Baixas to the Tempranillo-heavy reds of La Rioja.

United States

The only country in the Western Hemisphere on the list is the United States. 90% of the USA’s wine comes from California, which should be no surprise.

Australia

Finally, Australia takes the fifth spot on our list. The only country in the Southern Hemisphere in the top five, the land down under produces more white than red wine, but includes the Shiraz varietal as one of its major successes.

The post These 5 Countries Produce the Most Wine in the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Add these light, refreshing, and flavorful white wines to your list for the next time you head to the store!

Albariño

Albariño is one of the world’s trendiest white wines right now. Originating in northwestern Spain and Portugal, this crisp and dry white wine explodes with citrus flavors and pairs excellently with seafood.

Sauvignon Blanc

This French varietal is now grown throughout the world, as drinkers have fallen in love with the green apple, lime, white peach and passion fruit tones that Sauvignon Blanc offers. Zesty, sharp, and tending towards being a very young wine, this grape is perfect for spring.

Prosecco

Looking for something sparkling? Why not try Prosecco, Italy’s favorite sparkling white wine? The Glera grape is used to create a fizzy, brut-style sparkling white that is perfect for sipping while outside on the porch or at a picnic.

The post Try These Refreshing White Wine Varieties This Spring appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

While we’ve all heard of varieties such as Pinot Noir and Riesling, one under-the-radar white wine that you’ll love if you can get your hands on it is called txakoli. This wine, originating from the Spanish portion of the Basque Country, is super dry, light, and it even has bubbles!

Txakoli (pronounced cha-ko-LEE) has been produced in the rainy, Atlantic regions of the Basque Country since the 15th century, when land owners began trying to use grapes to make a unique wine that would acquire characteristics of the region. They were successful, and mostly produced small batches to drink at home.

However, when the 1980s rolled around and Basque culture started to become more well-known inside of Europe and in the world as a whole, txakoli began to be sold and produced on a commercial level. Nonetheless, the traditional hallmarks of txakoli, such as manual harvest and its fizziness, stayed the same.

Txakoli has a low alcohol percentage and is extremely dry. It is often drunk before meals as an aperitif, as diners love to cleanse their palate with its carbonic and citrus-like flavors. It’s perfect for sipping while relaxing at the pool or outside in the summertime without food, as well.

If you can find txakoli, be sure to give it a try this summer!

The post Ever Heard of Txakoli? This Basque Wine is Perfect For Summer appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This type of lighter wine originates from northern Portugal, and it is on fire lately and gaining popularity as a delicious option. Although it was largely unknown outside of its native Portugal for some time, it’s now becoming widely-known worldwide. Here’s why.

Grapes

Most of the grapes used to make the white vinho verdes are native to the region. They include Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso, and Azal grapes. All are light white grapes that create a citrusy, straw-colored wine. Some wine-makers even make red vinho verde with other native grapes, although this is much less popular.

Wine-Making Process

“Vinho verde” literally means “green wine,” which refers to the little time that elapses between harvest and bottling. These grapes only spend 3-6 months fermenting to make the wine. This creates a low-alcohol wine, usually between 8-11% ABV, that also has some residual carbonation, giving it a refreshing body.

Flavor Profile

Vinho verde wine is usually light and easy to drink. Its low alcohol content and slight fiziness make it a great option for sitting out on the porch on a hot day. Vinho verdes usually contain citrusy and grassy notes with a tropical aroma.

Be sure to check out this trending wine if you find it at your local grocer!

The post Vinho Verde: This Portuguese Wine is a Hit appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are four things about rose that you might not have known!

It’s Made from Red Grapes

Rose wine, contrary to popular belief, isn’t a blend of white and red grapes. It’s made from red grapes whose skins are left to macerate only for a limited amount of mine, producing the characteristic color of the wine.

It’s Best to Drink it Soon

While rose wine is delicious, it doesn’t age well. Its chemical composition simply doesn’t lend well to aging. It’s best to drink rose within a couple of years of its bottling date to enjoy it at its best.

The Name? It’s French!

The name that we use in English for this type of fine is actually a loan word from French. In Spanish, for example, it’s known as “vino rosado,” and in Italian, they call it “rosato.”

It’s the Oldest Type of Wine on Earth

When the ancient Greeks and Romans became the first civilizations in the planet to make wine, all that they produced was rose! Why? They used red grapes, but didn’t yet know that leaving the skins in for a longer time would produce what we now know as red wine.

The post Four Things You Didn’t Know About Rosé Wine appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Fortunately, it’s actually quite easy now to visit France’s wine regions to discover its vineyards and wineries. The only problem is that there are so many regions to choose from!

Here are my recommendations for three must-visit wine regions in France.

Bordeaux

Sandwiched the Garonne River and the Atlantic Ocean in southwestern France is one of the world’s premier regions for red wine. The unforgettable chateaus of the Bordeaux region and beautiful towns such as Saint-Emilion make it a must-visit for wine lovers, and that’s without even mentioning the blissful wine tastings that you’ll surely experience.

Champagne

Did you know that this world-famous sparkling wine is actually named after a French wine region? Champagne is located east of Paris in northeastern France and combines picturesque windmills with rolling hills and some of the world’s most famous and delicious sparkling wines.

Burgundy

In Eastern France, south of Paris, you’ll find the wine region of Burgundy, which produces full-bodied red and white wines that are a joy to drink. Here, you’ll find plenty of vineyards that grow well-known varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you go in fall, you’ll find the grape leaves unforgettable as they acquire fiery red and orange hues.

The post These Are France’s Best Wine Regions to Visit appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, this Italian sommelier is an expert in wine and telling stories. She travels the world (mostly Europe) trying delicious wine and telling the stories of the vineyards that she visits.

The large majority of the wines that she tries and the wineries that she visits are from Italy. The best wines in the world are from here, so why not?

@wineteller also travels to other countries from time to time to see sights and try wine, however. Take a look at this spectacular shot of a Spanish cava in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

In addition, since the genius behind this account is a master sommelier, you can learn a lot about wine pairings with food here. Often, she shares photos of perfect wine and food combinations. I’ve learned a lot about how to pair wine with food since following @wineteller.

This account is a must-follow for any wine lover looking to learn and discover more about wine. Give her a follow today!

The post Love Wine? You’ve Gotta Check Out This Instagram appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

While it isn’t as famous as other white wines such as Riesling and Chardonnay, a type of wine called Albariño is one of the top white wine grapes in the world.

This white wine grape is known for its fresh, citrusy flavor. It pairs perfectly with fish and seafood.

Albariño grapes grow in the temperate Atlantic climate of northern Portugal and Galicia. Despite being located in two Mediterranean countries, this area is mild throughout the year and receives some of the highest rainfall totals in all of Europe.

The result is a white wine that is dry and not overly sweet, which is one of the principal complaints when evaluating most Spanish and Portuguese white wines. The temperature climate of the region and the characteristics of the Albariño grape allow for a citrusy, dry wine that is extremely refreshing.

Spanish Albariño wines are generally more dry than their Portuguese counterparts. The Rías Baixas wine region in Galicia produces some of the top white wines in the world using this grape.

In Portugal, Albariño grapes are also used to produce vinho verde, a bubbly, low-alcohol wine that is truly unique.

Be sure to try this unique wine varietal if you get the chance!

The post The Albariño Grape Produces Some of the World’s Top White Wines appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Made from fermented grapes, this alcoholic beverage is one of the most beloved drinks in the world. Its presence has been noted in human societies for over 9000 years.

Let’s take a look at the five countries that produce the highest volume of wine on an annual basis.

Italy

It probably won’t surprise you that Italy is the world’s top wine producer. Regions such as Tuscany, home of delicious reds, and Veneto, which is where Prosecco comes from.

France

France comes in at number 2 on the list, just behind Italy. France is known for an array of wine varieties, including the world famous Champagne white grape as well as the reds that come from Bordeaux.

Spain

The third highest-producing wine country in the world is another European country. Spanish wine encompasses an array of flavors, ranging from the dry, citrusy whites of the Rias Baixas to the Tempranillo-heavy reds of La Rioja.

United States

The only country in the Western Hemisphere on the list is the United States. 90% of the USA’s wine comes from California, which should be no surprise.

Australia

Finally, Australia takes the fifth spot on our list. The only country in the Southern Hemisphere in the top five, the land down under produces more white than red wine, but includes the Shiraz varietal as one of its major successes.

The post These 5 Countries Produce the Most Wine in the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.