Liquid Library

The seven grapes of Champagne (not three)

Champagne legally allows seven grape varieties, not three. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier plus Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Updated 15 May 2026

Champagne history: from Dom Pérignon to the grower revolution

How Champagne emerged, how the big houses shaped its image and how the grower movement has reopened the region since the 1980s. Four centuries on one page.

Updated 15 May 2026

Champagne region and terroir: four subregions, one AOC

Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Bar. The four subregions of Champagne, their soils and what Grand Cru means.

Updated 15 May 2026

Champagne styles: from Brut Nature to Rosé

The eight Champagne styles explained: from Brut Nature to Demi-Sec, plus Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé and Prestige Cuvée. What dosage means.

Updated 15 May 2026

Méthode champenoise: step by step

How Champagne is made: from pressing and first fermentation through tirage, autolysis and remuage to dégorgement and dosage. Every step explained.

Updated 15 May 2026

The Consejo Regulador: what the DOP Jerez-Xérès-Sherry guarantees

What does the consejo regulador sherry actually do? Three DOPs, grapes, age categories and the 2022 reform explained.

Updated 11 May 2026

Sherry grapes: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel

The three sherry grapes Palomino Fino, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel, their role in Marco de Jerez and which style each one makes.

Updated 11 May 2026

The Sherry Triangle and albariza: where sherry actually comes from

The sherry triangle between Jerez, Sanlúcar and El Puerto. Marco de Jerez DOP, white albariza chalk and Atlantic winds, in one guide.

Updated 11 May 2026

What is sherry: a wine, not a separate category

What is sherry? A white wine from Andalusia, made from Palomino, Pedro Ximénez or Moscatel. Not a separate category. Just wine.

Updated 11 May 2026

Why is sherry fortified? Chemistry, history, and why it's still wine

Why is sherry fortified? Mitad y mitad, ABV targets per style, the British sea trade and the chemistry. Plus: is unfortified sherry still sherry?

Updated 11 May 2026

Natural Wine: What Is It and Why Does It Divide Opinion?

No protected term, but a clear philosophy. What makes a wine natural, what are the trade-offs, and how do you taste the difference?

Updated 27 April 2026

What Is Pét-Nat? Pétillant Naturel Explained

Pét-nat is sparkling wine's oldest method — and natural wine's favourite style. What pétillant naturel is, how it works, and why it's worth the hype.

Updated 27 April 2026

Champagne: Grapes, Region and Styles

Complete guide to Champagne wine: grapes, appellations, styles from blanc de blancs to rosé, grower champagne versus the grandes maisons, and what cuvées mean.

Updated 27 April 2026

What Is Natural Wine, Really?

Natural wine means everything and nothing at once. Here's what's actually behind the label and how to taste through the marketing.

Crémant vs Champagne: What's the Difference?

Crémant vs champagne compared: production method, lees aging, grapes, and price. Find out which sparkling wine to choose and when.

Updated 27 April 2026

Chablis: Grape, Region and Flavour Profile

Everything about Chablis wine: Chardonnay from northern Burgundy. Grand cru vs premier cru, how it compares to other Burgundies, and practical buying tips.

Updated 27 April 2026

Pouilly-Fumé: Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire

Everything about Pouilly-Fumé wine: Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Flavour profile, Sancerre comparison, top producers and why it is not Burgundy.

Updated 27 April 2026

Loire Valley: Wines, Regions and Grape Varieties

Everything about the Loire Valley wine region: from Muscadet to Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Franc. A guide to the white, red and sparkling wines.

Updated 27 April 2026

Saint-Véran: Appellation, Flavour and Buying Tips

Everything about Saint-Véran wine: Chardonnay appellation next to Pouilly-Fuissé. Flavour profile, best producers and why this wine deserves more attention.

Updated 27 April 2026

Mâconnais: Region, Wines and Appellations

Everything about the Mâconnais wine region: Chardonnay appellations from Mâcon-Villages to Pouilly-Fuissé, key producers and what to buy.

Updated 27 April 2026

Bourgogne Blanc: What It Is and What to Buy

Everything about Bourgogne Blanc wine: Burgundy's generic white appellation explained. What the label tells you, which producers matter, and when to buy it.

Updated 27 April 2026

Pouilly-Fuissé: Grape, Region and Flavour

Everything about the Pouilly-Fuissé grape: Chardonnay from the Mâconnais. Flavour profile, how it compares to other Burgundies, and buying tips.

Updated 27 April 2026

Chardonnay: Everything About the Grape

The Chardonnay grape explained: flavour profile, styles from Chablis to the Mâconnais, and what oak and climate actually do to it. For wine lovers.

Updated 27 April 2026

Les Riceys: Champagne's Best-Kept Secret

Les Riceys lies at the southern edge of Champagne, near Burgundy. This village legally produces three different AOC wines, including the rare Rosé des Riceys.

Updated 20 August 2025

Pouilly-Fuissé Mastered: From 101 to Expert

Discover Pouilly-Fuissé in depth: from terroir and winemaking craft to tasting notes of 14 top wines from southern Burgundy.

Updated 27 April 2026

Pouilly-Fuissé 101: Burgundy's White Wine Gem

Pouilly-Fuissé is a prestigious white wine from the Mâconnais in southern Burgundy. Made exclusively from Chardonnay, it offers terroir-driven elegance.

Updated 27 April 2026

Viñedo Singular Wines: Terroir, Expression, Value

Viñedo Singular is a new Spanish wine classification for single-vineyard wines. Discover what makes these wines special and why they are worth trying.

Updated 27 April 2026

The Essence of Rioja: A Beginner's Guide to Spanish Wines

Dive into the heart of Rioja, where centuries-old traditions meet modern winemaking. Everything you need to know about Spain's most iconic wines.

Updated 26 July 2024