With winter coming to a close, the flowers will start blooming and the grey skies of winter will disappear. More vegetables will start blossoming into season, which calls for a change in meals. Lighter and fresher salads pairs perfectly with a crisp and citrusy wine like an unoaked, sauvignon blanc. Visiting the local farmer’s market, you may be greeted with some earthy asparagus, hearty collard greens or some zingy limes. To balance the crispy snap and freshness of these produce, you want a light to medium bodied and fruity wine...

Fish can be categorized into different groups based on their texture and flavor so there’s various wine pairings available. Generally white wines pair better than red, as red wine contains high levels of tannin compared to white wine. For the most part, red wines are bolder in flavor and overpower fish, where as white wines are more delicate and complimentary. Here are 4 categories of fish to help you find the perfect wine for your fish dish. Delicate Fish Fish such as haddock, sea bass and Pollock are all very...

New year is the time when people make resolutions, change their old ways and aspire towards new goals. For wine lovers, what are some of the wine habits you can look forward to developing, as we kick start the new year? Here are 4 ideas to inspire you. 1. Discover a new wine region Elevate your love affair with wine by exploring vineyards, meeting winemakers and developing a connection with some of the new wines you have come to enjoy. Including wine in your travel will also spice up your...

Aroma is without a doubt the most diverse aspect of wine tasting. It is estimated that humans can identify approximately 10,000 unique smells. When it comes to tasting wine, the best way to release these many possible aromas is to swirl the liquid. We swirl wine to expose the actual liquid to the air, to run it up the sides of the glass and to get an extra look at its color. The drops, or tears, that trickle back down tell lots about alcohol content. The color of the wine,...

The holidays are around the corner and it’s time for celebration and festivities. For wine lovers, what are the perfect holiday drinks that can give you a reason to pop open a bottle? Here are some colorful yet delicious suggestions that will inspire you to create the most memorable holiday party drinks.   Sparkling White Sangria Cocktails are a must-have for parties. Instead of the usual recipes which you have been using each year, why not try a sparkling white sangria instead? Mix dry cava with some fruits of your...

Buying gifts is difficult; whether you are a procrastinator in the gift buying department, got invited to more holiday parties than you thought, or your small family Christmas has turned into a family reunion. Here are some go-to gifts that will save you during the holidays and still make sure that your gift is loved. Wine Glasses Wine glasses are the perfect addition to a gift basket full of wine and chocolates. Rod Wine also carries beautiful Champagne glasses that are bound to be used right away during the New...

Family gatherings and work functions, overtime and school Christmas programs. The holiday season seems to get less jolly and more jumbled each year. One thing you can do to simplify this time of year is buy a case of wine. Not just for you, but to give as gifts and bring to functions where a favor like wine is appropriate. Buying a case of wine before the holiday season will ensure you won’t be caught off-guard when you need a gift for someone. A bottle of wine is also an...

Think Tempranillo, think Rioja, think Spain - oh, and perhaps Australia.  The La Rioja region of northern Spain has been producing this tremendous wine since the 11th century, mainly from the early-ripening, black-hued Tempranillo grape. The wine is aged in French or American oak, adding a layer of vanilla to those characteristic dark fruit and cherry flavours.  Tempranillo is the grape variety that forms the backbone of some of the finest red wines from Spain and Portugal. A thick-skinned variety with a high anthocyanin count that makes for deep-colored wines...

Don’t let the bubbles fool you. Although sparkling wine and Champagne both possess a refreshing effervescence and a similar trademark “pop” when uncorked, there are a few main reasons why the two labels display different names. "True Champagne Comes From France" Champagne, the wine, is named after the region where it is grown, fermented and bottled: Champagne, France. Nestled in the country’s northeastern corner, near Paris, the only labels that are legally allowed to bare the name “Champagne” are bottled within 100 miles of this region (according to European Law). Originally cultivated by the Romans as early as 400 A.D., today’s vineyards that adorn Champagne’s...

Walla Walla is an American Viticulture Area in Washington and Oregon State and a part of the greater Columbia Valley AVA. Walla Walla has a long history of agriculture and still grows large amounts of onions and asparagus. A destination region, Walla Walla and surrounding towns have a lot more to offer than wine. Current Stats Half of the grapes are produced on the Oregon side of the AVA, while most of the wineries and tasting rooms are in and around Walla Walla, WA. The Walla Walla AVA has nearly...