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
What is polymerisation? The science behind why red wine gets smoother with age
What is polymerisation? The science behind why red wine gets smoother with age
November 27, 2025
If you've ever wondered why young red wines feel firm and grippy but become silky after a few years in the cellar, the answer comes down to polymerisation. It's the process where tannins and colour compounds link together over time to form longer, softer chains. As these chains grow, the wine tastes smoother, feels rounder, and eventually develops sediment—the whole magic trick of aging red wine explained in plain English.
2024 Le Battistelle ‘Montesei’ Soave Classico DOC — why this humble Italian white deserves a spot in your cellar
2024 Le Battistelle ‘Montesei’ Soave Classico DOC — why this humble Italian white deserves a spot in your cellar
November 27, 2025
Soave might just be one of Italy's most misunderstood wines. For years, it was lumped into the 'cheap and cheerful' camp—the kind of easy white poured by the carafe in every trattoria. But real Soave, particularly from the Classico zone, can rival some of the world's most elegant whites. Le Battistelle's 2024 'Montesei' proves exactly that: hillside vineyards, volcanic soils, and extended ripening create bright acidity, mineral tension, and that signature almond complexity.
The science of wine aging (what actually happens inside the bottle)
The science of wine aging (what actually happens inside the bottle)
November 27, 2025
Most people think wine just 'gets better with time,' but what's actually happening behind the cork is way more interesting. As wine ages, dozens of tiny chemical reactions slowly reshape its flavour, structure, and texture—turning sharp edges soft, fresh fruit into savoury complexity, and colour into something deeper. From tannins linking up and softening to aromas shifting from fresh berries to leather and truffle, aging is basically nature's slow-motion magic trick.
What is biodynamic vineyard management — and why it matters
What is biodynamic vineyard management — and why it matters
November 27, 2025
Wine lovers talk a lot about terroir—that magical mix of soil, climate, and human touch that gives each wine its unique character. But there's another layer quietly shaping some of the world's most expressive wines: biodynamic vineyard management. It's more than just 'organic on steroids'—it's a holistic philosophy that treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem, incorporating lunar cycles, natural preparations, and biodiversity to create wines that truly reflect their place.
Domaine du Bouchot Pouilly-Fumé MCMLV 2021 – Smoke, Soil & Sauvignon Blanc at its finest
Domaine du Bouchot Pouilly-Fumé MCMLV 2021 – Smoke, Soil & Sauvignon Blanc at its finest
November 19, 2025
When most people think of Sauvignon Blanc, they picture New Zealand's gooseberry-zipped, passionfruit-packed style. But long before that, the grape was thriving in France's Loire Valley, where it expresses something totally different—more mineral, more restrained, and often more complex. Domaine du Bouchot's 2021 Pouilly-Fumé MCMLV captures this perfectly: smoky nose, vibrant palate, and nutty depth from organic and biodynamic farming that was pioneering before it was cool.
The many faces of Sauvignon Blanc: from Loire to New Zealand and beyond
The many faces of Sauvignon Blanc: from Loire to New Zealand and beyond
November 19, 2025
Sauvignon Blanc is one of those grapes everyone thinks they know—crisp, citrusy, easy-drinking. But scratch beneath the surface and you'll find it's a shape-shifter. Depending on where it's grown and how it's made, this grape can swing from zesty and green to creamy and complex. From the smoky sophistication of Pouilly-Fumé to the tropical energy of Marlborough, here's how to understand its many faces.
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—famous for sunshine and big, ripe reds, but the best Californian wines don't behave like 'sunshine in a bottle' at all. Top producers lean on altitude, fog, and cold ocean air to craft wines with finesse and structure. Here's why cooling influence is everything, how AVAs work, and three benchmark wines that prove California is far more nuanced than its reputation suggests.
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.

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.