August 14, 2026
winespeed-by-karen-macneil

Dear Kelsey, Good question!  No one knows why, of all fruits, only grapes make great wine. And there’s a corollary idea that’s equally perplexing: If you ferment apricots or cherries, or blueberries, the resulting “wine” still tastes like those fruits. But wine made from grapes doesn’t taste like grapes. It can taste like a hundred other things from lemons to cowboy boots, but it almost never tastes like grapes themselves.

—Karen

A. Red wines made in Tuscany from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

B. Red or white wines made in Tuscany from any variety except Sangiovese

C. Red blends made in Tuscany from Sangiovese plus any other red variety

D. Red wines made in Tuscany in an “international style”

STICKIES

The affectionate name Australians give to their sweet wines. Ther term is broadly used to cover late-harvest wines as well as Australia’s phenomenal sweet FORTIFIED Muscats, topaques, and fortified tawnies.

Continue reading