What would you say is the fastest-growing grape in the country? If you guessed Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or any of the other usual suspects, you're wrong. The answer's muscat, the sweetly fragranced grape that's often the bane of any drinker who's sworn off sweet wines.
That's right: according to AC Nielsen, muscat is the fastest-growing grape variety in the United States, and even global brands like Yellow Tail have caught on. The Australian wine company's newest label is its 2011 Moscato. As a longtime moscato d'asti lover, but a recent critter wine skeptic, I wasn't sure what to expect. The results were pleasantly surprising.
The wine, while relatively straightforward, managed to be incredibly peachy and floral without tasting soapy, then had a nice level of acidity and a small amount of effervescence to balance out the body and sweetness. "It'd be wonderful with sorbet," one taster commented. I instantly envisioned serving it in a Champagne coupe with a just-frozen-enough scoop of pear sorbet on top. For $6.99, you can't find a better value in this category. Muscat lovers: what's your favorite moscato frizzante?
One of the highlights of the weekend at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen was a party on Saturday night hosted by Wines of Germany. At the event, I sipped countless Rieslings and was blown away by how much I enjoyed the crisp, refreshing, and somewhat floral whites. Rieslings are affordable, versatile, and very food-friendly. I drink them all the time, but am wondering: what's your take on the wine? Many people find them to be too sweet, but tons of dry Rieslings exist! Do you sip them? 
I believe there is a wine for every occasion, and sometimes you just need an easy-to-drink, affordable white wine. The next time you're looking for what I like to call a picnic white, reach for 
As the weather warms up, it's natural to gravitate toward crisp, clean New Zealand whites, as they're both refreshing and easy to drink on their own, and perfect as a pick-me-up on a weekend excursion or a sunny Summer afternoon. One new label to look for that easily fits that bill — and then some — is 
If you're a fan of Californian sparkling wines, you've probably enjoyed a glass or two of Chandon. With over 200,000 bottles produced a year, an affordable price tag, and a tasting room that sees 2,000 people on a Saturday, it's one of Napa Valley's most well-known bubbly producers. What you may not know, however, is that the winery also makes some well-rounded and interesting still wines. I recently had the chance to sample its offerings, so to learn more about Chandon's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, 
I've had a longtime love affair with the 
One of my favorite things about wine is that there's so much to learn about it! There's always a new varietal to taste or an exciting region to try. Recently I went to a tasting that featured wines from the Santa Rita Hills. This small, relatively young wine region is located in Central California and was named an official appellation in 2001. Thanks to its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, this foggy district is perfect for growing Pinot Noir grapes. A cool coastal breeze and naturally rocky terrain only enhances its grape-growing qualities. Other varietals the area is known for are Chardonnay and Syrah. To see which wines from the province, which were featured in the film 
Afer a long day, a glass of wine may just be what's in order, especially since so many studies have proven it to be so good for us. In fact, alcohol in general has 
Sauvignon Blanc is without a doubt my preferred wine grape. It's normally a wine that's crisp and refreshing with flavors ranging from fruity and floral to earthy and grassy. One recent bottle that's worth mentioning is the 
Although a light and fruity white might not be your typical Winter wine, if you're looking to pair something with a spicy bowl of Asian soup, like I was on a recent evening, pick up a bottle of this affordable 