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

The 2024 Phase Three Wines release: elegance, old vines, and serious finesse
September 29, 2025
Phase Three Wines is still a relatively young name in the Barossa, but the 2024 release confirms it's already a producer worth following. Known for Syrah with detail and finesse, this year's lineup shows just how far the wines have come—from old Cabernet vines grafted to Syrah, to 19th-century plantings still producing fruit, this is one of the most exciting collections of the vintage.
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
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)?
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.
The 2009 Clos de Tart: Burgundy prestige in a magnum
September 20, 2025
When it comes to Burgundy, few names carry the weight of Clos de Tart. A Grand Cru monopole with lineage stretching back to the 12th century, it delivered an exceptional wine in 2009 that collectors still talk about today. This magnum combines Burgundy's top classification with the technical advantages of larger format aging—slower evolution and better balance.
The 2025 Liv-ex Classification explained: what collectors need to know
September 19, 2025
Every two years, Liv-ex releases its Classification, ranking the world's leading wines by average market price. The 2025 edition comes at a fascinating moment—three years into the longest downturn in recent fine wine history. With the index down around 23%, only the strongest wines have held their position, making this year's list as much about resilience as prestige.
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
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.
Louis Billard’s 2022 debut: Vosne-Romanée, Volnay 1er Cru, and Meursault
September 14, 2025
Every so often, a new label makes collectors sit up and take notice. In Burgundy, that's no small feat. Enter Louis Billard, a fifth-generation winemaker who trained at DRC and released his first wines in 2022. Already described as some of the best value Burgundy on the market, these village and premier cru wines won't stay that way for long.
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.
2022 Sami-Odi Hoffman Dallwitz Syrah: why collectors are obsessed
September 6, 2025
The first time I opened a Sami-Odi, I finally understood the hype. Plush, inky, spiced, and elegant all at once - this is the kind of bottle that turns heads in both the cellar and at the table. But beyond the glass, Sami-Odi is investment grade, sitting in the top 1% of the wine world.
2020 Tiano & Nareno Travesia 1908
August 31, 2025
Argentina may be famous for its steak and tango, but when it comes to wine, Malbec reigns supreme. One of the rarest? Tiano & Nareno's Travesía 1908. With fewer than 6,000 bottles produced per vintage and only released in exceptional years, this is Argentina's most exclusive wine.     Need help sourcing the top 1% of the wine market? We stock a limited amount of investment grade wines and have access to plenty more from Salon to Screaming Eagle. If you're after something specific (or more of a favourite)? Let us know - we love sourcing more wine🍷   Important Please know, the information on our website is general in nature, we don’t provide advice and individuals should make their own decisions. The value of investments can go up as well as down and you may receive back less than your original investment. Further, the tax on your investments depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change.

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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.