Learn about wine

At TradingGrapes, we believe wine should be easy to understand, enjoyable to explore, and simple to share. Our Learn About Wine hub is packed with guides on everything from iconic producers and investment-grade bottles to practical tips on storage, cellaring, and drink windows. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding a serious collection, this is your place to learn about wine—with blogs, videos, and even Spotify episodes to take on the go.

If there’s a region, style, or producer you’d like us to cover, just let us know—we’re always expanding our content based on what our community wants to learn 👇

Learn about wine

All Behind the bottle Investment insights Wine 101s
Californian wines explained: AVAs, cooling influences & three standout producers to know
Californian wines explained: AVAs, cooling influences & three standout producers to know
October 20, 2025
California is one of the world’s most diverse and misunderstood wine regions. It’s famous for sunshine, Hollywood… and big, ripe reds — but the best Californian wines don’t behave like “sunshine in a bottle” at all. The state’s top producers...
How to open a wax-sealed wine bottle (without the stress)
How to open a wax-sealed wine bottle (without the stress)
October 4, 2025
Wax tops look amazing—until you actually have to open the bottle. They feel premium and protect the cork, but let's be honest, they can be intimidating. Here's how to get past the wax and into the wine smoothly: flick off wax droplets with your corkscrew tip, screw straight through for most bottles, or carve around the top like a capsule when the wax is too thick. No stress required.
What is a monopole? Why Burgundy’s rarest vineyards matter
What is a monopole? Why Burgundy’s rarest vineyards matter
September 24, 2025
In Burgundy, vineyards are like patchwork quilts—centuries of inheritance laws meant parcels were divided between heirs, over and over again. But every now and then, there's an exception: a vineyard that has remained intact under a single owner across centuries. These are monopoles, and they represent some of the rarest and most collectible wines in the world, with only one producer expressing that terroir.
Super Tuscans: Breaking the rules, making legends
Super Tuscans: Breaking the rules, making legends
September 20, 2025
In the world of wine, few categories carry the same mix of rebellion, prestige, and collectability as Super Tuscans. Born out of frustration with Italy's rigid classification system, these wines turned the rules upside down and created a new benchmark for Italian fine wine. Today, Super Tuscans like Sassicaia and Ornellaia sit among the most coveted bottles globally.
What are old vines (and why do they matter)?
What are old vines (and why do they matter)?
September 20, 2025
You've probably seen the words 'old vines' on a wine label—but what does it actually mean? Here's the catch: there's no legal definition. While some producers call 35+ year vines 'old,' others reserve the term for 50+ years. What matters is the result: older vines produce fewer grapes but concentrate resources into more complex, balanced wines with deeper terroir expression and richer flavours.
Does handpicked wine really taste better? The truth explained
Does handpicked wine really taste better? The truth explained
September 18, 2025
Some wine labels proudly announce 'hand-harvested'—but what does that actually mean? Is it just clever marketing, or does it genuinely impact quality? In regions known for premium wines, handpicking is more than tradition—it's precision and care that allows winemakers to select only ripe, healthy grapes while preserving whole berries and reducing oxidation.
Why magnums matter: more than just a big bottle
Why magnums matter: more than just a big bottle
September 17, 2025
There's something undeniably impressive about a magnum. At 1.5L, they look great on the table and make any occasion feel special. But magnums are more than just show-stoppers—they age more gracefully due to a lower oxygen-to-wine ratio, often tasting brighter and more energetic than standard bottles of the same vintage.
Why red wine and steak are a match made in heaven
Why red wine and steak are a match made in heaven
September 10, 2025
Few pairings in the food and wine world are as iconic as a great steak with a bold glass of red. It's a classic - but why does it work so well? The secret lies in tannins, protein, and the way they interact on your palate to create perfect balance.
Port wine guide: Ruby vs Tawny & How they’re made explained
Port wine guide: Ruby vs Tawny & How they’re made explained
August 23, 2025
Explore the rich world of ruby and tawny Port wines, each with distinct production methods that create dramatically different flavour profiles. From ruby's vibrant fruit intensity to tawny's nutty, caramelised complexity, discover which style suits your palate and occasions best.
Premium Bordeaux wine collection featuring 2019 Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, 2015 Château Gruaud Larose St-Julien, and 2016 Château Figeac Premier Grand Cru Classé St-Émilion red wine bottles with wooden wine crates
Bordeaux explained: Left bank vs. right bank (and why it matters for collectors)
August 8, 2025
Bordeaux is home to some of the most age-worthy, investment-grade wines ever made. But if you've ever heard people talking about the Left Bank and Right Bank, you might be wondering what's the difference? It's not just geography - it's about soil, grapes, and style that shape collector favourites.
Hand holding a 2022 Christian Moreau Chablis wine bottle next to a Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, showcasing premium French and Australian white wines.
What is malolactic fermentation (MLF)?
August 6, 2025
What is malolactic fermentation (MLF)? Or as wine nerds say... "has it gone through malo?" This conversion process turns sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, creating those creamy, buttery notes you taste in some Chardonnays. Understanding MLF can totally change how you experience wine.
Bottle of Château Gruaud-Larose Baron Sarget Bordeaux red wine stored in a cellar wine rack, featuring its classic French label.
What makes a wine age-worthy?
August 5, 2025
Some wines are meant to be cracked open on a weeknight. Others are made to go the distance, improving for decades in the cellar. But what actually makes a wine age-worthy? It's not about price or prestige - it comes down to structure, balance, and key factors that determine whether a wine will flourish with time.

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Frequently asked questions

Our blogs are designed to make wine knowledge approachable and fun. You’ll find everything from wine investment blogs and producer deep-dives to practical wine guides on storage, tasting, and cellaring. We cut through the jargon so you can learn about wine with confidence.

Wine is more than a drink—it’s history, culture, and craftsmanship in every glass. We’re passionate about wine education because understanding the story behind each bottle makes every sip more enjoyable and every collection more meaningful.

Right here at TradingGrapes. Our Learn About Wine page is your hub for blogs, videos, and podcasts—covering everything from how to start a wine collection to the stories behind iconic producers. Whether you prefer to read, watch, or listen, we’ve got you covered.

Expect practical tips (like how to cellar wine properly), fascinating stories from world-class producers, and insights into wine as an investment. Each blog is written to give you knowledge you can use straight away—whether that’s choosing your next bottle or planning your collection.

Yes! Many of our blogs feature short YouTube and Instagram videos—perfect if you prefer quick, visual learning.

Absolutely. You’ll find a link to our Spotify below our blogs, so you can learn while you commute, cook, or sip a glass of your favourite wine.

They’re for everyone: curious beginners searching for the best wine blogs, passionate collectors building cellars, and seasoned investors looking for fresh insights. If you want to understand wine better—and have fun doing it—you’re in the right place.

We’d love to hear from you! If there’s a region, style, or producer you’d like us to cover, just let us know—we’re always expanding our content based on what our community wants to learn.

Not at all. Our content is written for every level—from those looking for a simple wine guide to seasoned collectors refining their knowledge.

We regularly update our blog with fresh articles, seasonal insights, and producer spotlights—so there’s always something new to explore. Think of TradingGrapes as your trusted source for wine education online.