Welcome to the Sommy Wine Selection Blog

Mourvèdre is a savory, full-bodied red that rarely says so on the label. Here's how it tastes, where it hides, and which bottle you should reach for first.

What does Merlot taste like? Dry, with plum and black cherry and tannins you barely feel. How to tell which style is in the bottle.

Vinho Verde is Portugal's fresh, low-alcohol white wine. What the name means, why some bottles fizz, which grape to choose, and what to serve with it.

Malolactic fermentation is why some wine feels round rather than sharp. See which wines go through it, why butter isn't guaranteed, and how to choose.

Wines similar to Pinot Noir depend on which Pinot you drink. Gamay, Schiava and Etna Rosso compared by body, tannin and acidity, plus the swaps that fail.

A standard bottle gives you five 5-ounce glasses, or four if you pour generously. Here's the math for every bottle size, plus how many to buy for guests.

What does Chardonnay taste like? Lemon and green apple, or butter and vanilla, and two winemaking choices decide which bottle you are buying.

What does rosé wine taste like? Red berries, citrus and a crisp dry finish. How to tell a sweet bottle from a dry one before you buy it.

Grüner Veltliner tastes dry, crisp and peppery. Find out whether you will like it, what Steinfeder and Smaragd really mean, and what to serve with it.

Second cheapest wine isn't the rip-off you were told. A study of 6,335 restaurant wines found the biggest markup sits in the middle of the list.

Wines similar to Sauvignon Blanc depend on why you want a change: Verdejo for less acid, Albarino for a new flavor, or a leaner region.

Sweet sparkling red wine explained: Brachetto, Lambrusco and the label trap where Dry legally means sweeter than Brut, with sugar numbers for every style.

Wines like The Prisoner start with knowing which part you love: the jammy fruit, the toasty oak, or the Zinfandel spice. Here's a bottle for each.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are one grape, so what does the name really predict about the wine? Here is how to pick the right style for tonight.

A corkage fee runs $10 to $40 a bottle at most US restaurants. Here's the tipping rule, the law, and the math on when bringing your own pays.

Terroir means where grapes grow changes how wine tastes. Here is what a region on the label really promises you, and what it never does.

Wines like Stella Rosa must match the light fizz and 5% alcohol, not just sweetness. Five bottles that do, and three popular picks that don't.

Syrah vs Shiraz is one grape and two styles. Learn which name signals pepper and freshness, which signals ripe fruit, and which fits your dinner.

Wine terms sorted by what they actually tell you: which are legally defined, which predict sweetness or body, and which are pure marketing.

Wines similar to Riesling split by whether yours is dry or sweet. Gruner Veltliner for one, Vouvray demi-sec for the other, plus four more.

Sauvignon Blanc taste splits two ways: grassy and citrusy, or ripe and tropical. Here's how to tell which one a bottle is before you buy it.

Grenache wine taste is ripe, smooth and low in tannin. What's in the glass, what a bottle costs in USD, and the label names to look for.

How long does unopened wine last? Light whites keep 1 to 3 years, structured reds 5 to 10 plus. Shelf life by style, and how to spot a bad bottle.

Wines similar to Moscato depend on whether you love the sweetness, the fizz, the low alcohol or the perfume. Six picks, one for each, with US prices.

What is natural wine? Low-intervention wine explained: how it's made, what it tastes like, real US prices, and whether it suits your palate.

Chenin Blanc vs Sauvignon Blanc: one is always dry, the other runs bone-dry to sweet. The label words, the family link, and which to pour tonight.

Dry Provence rose suits classic ratatouille, Cotes du Rhone fits a long-simmered pot, and unoaked Chardonnay is the pick once the vegetables are roasted.

The best wine for tamales follows the sauce, not the filling. Fruity reds for red chile and mole, chilled rose or off-dry Riesling when the heat climbs.

A wine quiz can point you to a style you'll enjoy, but most are shop funnels. Here are the real questions and what each answer says about you.

Cabernet Sauvignon tastes dry, dark-fruited and firm, with blackcurrant, cedar and a drying grip. Here's how to pick a bottle you'll actually enjoy tonight

Is this wine good? Learn the quality checks that work, what a critic's points actually mean, and how to tell if a bottle suits your taste.

Rioja tastes of ripe cherry and soft vanilla, and drinks smoother than a big young Cabernet. See how Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva change the taste.

Looking for a wine app for Android? See how Vivino and the real options compare, what to skip, and how to pick a bottle you'll enjoy.

Malbec tastes of ripe blackberry, plum, and cocoa in a smooth, dry red. See how Argentine and Cahors styles differ, with easy pairings and serving tips.

Tempranillo wine tastes of cherry, leather, and vanilla. Learn to read the Spanish labels, what to pair, and whether you'll actually like it.

Chicken satay pairs best with an off-dry Riesling that tames the peanut sauce and chili. See the best whites, reds, and sparkling picks, plus what to avoid

The best wine apps in 2026, sorted by what you want to do: learn your taste, scan a bottle, pair a dinner, or track your wine collection.

Wine for creamy Tuscan chicken? A dry Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc keeps it fresh, and a lively Chianti Classico is the standout red, no wine snobbery.

Red wine vs white wine, explained simply: how they taste, which one you'll like, how to serve and pair each, and when to pick red or white.

Rombauer Chardonnay alternatives that keep the butter and oak, from Mer Soleil to La Crema, plus the shelf clues and easy food pairings for a rich white.

Puttanesca wine pairing, made simple: pour a fresh Nero d'Avola or Chianti, or a crisp Falanghina or dry rosé when the anchovies and capers run the plate.

A wine recommendation app should learn your palate, not just show crowd scores. See how Vivino, Delectable, CellarTracker and Sommy compare.

Gamay tastes bright and tart, with fresh cherry, raspberry and almost no drying grip. Here is what it is, which Beaujolais to buy, and how cold to serve it

What wine will I like? A five-question quiz guesses once and forgets. A living taste profile and an instant Fit Check tell you before you buy.

Pinot Noir tastes of fresh cherry and raspberry with soft tannin and bright acidity. Here is what to expect, why it costs more, and how to pick a good one.

A wine tasting app can log notes, teach your palate, or pick your next bottle. See how to choose the right one for how you actually drink.

Find Caymus Cabernet alternatives with rich fruit and smooth texture, plus simple wine tips for choosing Bonanza, Quilt, Daou, or Austin Hope.

Cabernet Franc vs Cabernet Sauvignon, compared simply: how each tastes, which is smoother, what to pay, and which one fits your palate tonight.

Like Apothic Red? Here are the smooth, ripe red blends and Malbecs closest to it, plus the shelf words that will find you this style in any store, anywhere

An AI sommelier app learns your taste and recommends wine for you, not the crowd. See what a good one does, how it beats a ratings app, and how to choose.

The best wine for bratwurst is a chilled dry Riesling, because sauerkraut decides the bottle. Gruner Veltliner for grilled brats, sparkling for a crowd.

Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon compared: how they taste, tannins, price in USD, food pairings, and how to choose the right bottle for your palate.

Smooth red wine means soft tannin, gentle acidity and ripe fruit, not sugar. The grapes that deliver it, and how to make any red taste smoother.

Learn how Riesling food pairing works with simple rules for dry and sweet styles, plus everyday dish picks that take the guesswork out of wine choice.

Butternut squash ravioli wine pairing, made easy: off-dry Riesling for brown butter and sage, light reds for mushrooms, dry Lambrusco for balsamic.

A wine cellar app should do more than list what you own. Compare CellarTracker, InVintory, Vivino and Sommy, and know which to open tonight.

When to decant wine and when to leave it alone: times by style, the bottles air ruins, and how to do it with a kitchen jug if you have no decanter.

A wine identifier app names the bottle and shows a crowd score. Here's how to go further and know if you'll actually like it first.

A wine pairing app suggests wine for your meal. Here's how the best ones pair to your taste, not a generic database, from a photo or recipe.

A red blend wine mixes two or more grapes in one bottle. Here's whether it's sweet or dry, what it tastes like, and what to pay.

Pinot Noir is the bottle to drink with beef bourguignon and a cheap dry red is the one to braise it in. How to buy both without overspending on Burgundy.

Cabernet Franc tastes of raspberry, tart cherry and a savory herbal note. What to expect, how it differs from Cabernet Sauvignon, and how to pick one.

Beaujolais and dry Riesling beat a big red with corned beef and cabbage, because salt turns tannin bitter. Mustard and a sweet glaze change the answer.

Wine for Spanish tapas is easy: choose Cava for mixed plates, crisp whites for seafood, or Garnacha for meat. Get clear pairing tips for any table.

A wine journal app helps you remember bottles you love so you can choose wine confidently. Learn what features matter and how to pick the right app for you

Pinot Noir is the safest wine with mushrooms, but butter and cream change the answer. Pair by cooking method, not just mushroom type, and dinner gets easy.

Josh Cabernet alternatives that match its soft, oaky style: Bogle at $12, 14 Hands, and Decoy at $25, plus the label cues to find your own on any shelf.

Learn how to rate wine with simple notes that improve personalized wine recommendations, restaurant wine tips, and grocery store wine picks.

Best wine for gift giving, by budget and occasion: 7 bottles with prices checked this month, plus what to give when you don't know their taste.

Asparagus makes wine taste metallic, but only certain wines. Here is why it happens and the four bottles that reliably work with green or white spears.

Wines like Meiomi taste smooth because of sugar, not just the grape. Six bottles that match it, including three from Meiomi's original winemaker.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon compared by tannin, body, food and price. Find out which end of red wine actually suits you, and what to pour tonight.

Chicken cacciatore is a tomato dish, not a chicken dish, and that changes the wine. Chianti, Barbera and the bottles to skip, plus the white-sauce version.

A simple wine pairing with shrimp guide based on cooking method, so you can choose fast and feel confident at dinner or in the store.

Peking duck is a hoisin dish more than a duck dish. Why off-dry Riesling beats a big red, which light reds work, and what to order at the restaurant.

Nervous about picking the best wine for paella? Relax. Our simple guide helps you choose the perfect Spanish white, rosé, or red for any paella.

Choosing the best wine for pot roast? Find the perfect bottle with our simple guide to 7 great wine pairings that match the rich flavors of your dish.

Blanc de noirs means a white sparkling wine made only from dark-skinned grapes. How that works, what it tastes like, and why the result is not a rose.

AVA on a wine label means 85 percent of the grapes grew inside that region. Here is what that guarantees, and what it deliberately does not.

Unlock delicious, budget-friendly bottles! Our guide helps you discover the best inexpensive wine brands for your taste and budget. Shop with confidence.

Pet-nat wine finishes fermenting inside the bottle, which is why it is cloudy and capped like a beer. What it tastes like, and how to open one safely.

Organic Pinot Noir wine can taste different, not just sound better on a label. Here's how to choose one with confidence.

Unsure about wine pairing with beef tenderloin? This simple guide helps you confidently choose the perfect bottle based on sauce, sides, and your taste.

Blanc de blancs means sparkling wine from white grapes only, usually Chardonnay. Here is what that changes in the glass, and what the term never tells you.

Wines like Kim Crawford? Find crisp Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc picks, plus easy ways to choose similar bottles at stores and restaurants.

The best wine for Beef Wellington is Pinot Noir, Merlot or Right Bank Bordeaux. Why the mushrooms and the pastry matter more than the beef does.

The best wine for osso buco is Nebbiolo, Barbera or Chianti Classico. Here's how the saffron risotto, the gremolata and the tomato decide which you pour.

Wine for moussaka, a quick pairing guide: medium-bodied reds work best, while dry rosé or fuller white fits lighter eggplant dinners.

Find the best wine for short ribs and polenta, with Syrah first, plus Malbec, Cabernet, and simple picks for restaurant menus or wine aisles.

If you like Merlot, Carmenere is the closest match and Malbec the easiest to find. Six reds that keep its soft texture, and what changes in each.

The best wine for surf and turf is Champagne, white Burgundy or a low-tannin red. Here's why the butter on the plate decides it, not the steak.

Dry rose is the best wine for penne alla vodka. Here are the best reds, what to pour with spicy vodka pasta, and how to match the bottle to your sauce.

The best wine for coq au vin is a fresh Pinot Noir or Gamay. Here is which bottle to cook with, which one to pour, and how creamy mash shifts the pick.

The best wine for seared tuna with soy glaze is a chilled light red or a fruity dry rosé. Here's why the glaze decides the bottle, not the fish.

Find the best Syrah wine by style, not hype. Use these 7 Syrah personalities to choose a bottle that fits your taste and moment.

Chardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc made simple, with quick tips on how to choose wine, food pairings, and the taste cues that matter.

Best wine for brisket and burnt ends: savory Syrah for the smoke, fruity Zinfandel for the glaze. Here's why the big pairing guides all disagree.

Best wine for quiche Lorraine is Alsace Riesling, and vegetable quiche wants Sauvignon Blanc. Why the custard picks your bottle before the filling does.

Ordering wine at a restaurant comes down to three things: the food, the style you like, and your price ceiling. What to say and how to read the list.

Best wine for duck? Pinot Noir, whether it is duck breast, roast duck, confit or a cherry sauce. Here is how to pick one fast, and which reds to avoid.