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Wine Guides & Travel · Vine Blog

Wine 101 & The Basics

New to wine or refreshing the fundamentals — how to taste, serve, store, decant and choose with confidence.

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Looking for something specific? Try a region (“Willamette”), a vintage (“2022 Bordeaux”), or a question (“how long should I decant?”).

Wine 101: The Basics

Occasions
Spring Wines: This is What We're Drinking This Season
  • by Greg Martellotto

Spring Wines: This is What We're Drinking This Season

As spring arrives, it's time to start thinking about the perfect wines to accompany the...

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Occasions
Our Picks for the 2024 Oscars & Wine Night
  • by Greg Martellotto

Our Picks for the 2024 Oscars & Wine Night

Choosing the right wine pairings for Oscars Night is like selecting the perfect outfit for...

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Occasions
Love in Every Bottle: Explore BHW's Top 6 Valentine's Day Wines
  • by Greg Martellotto

Love in Every Bottle: Explore BHW's Top 6 Valentine's Day Wines

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the air is thick with anticipation, and what better way to...

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Sustainable Wine
Natural Wines With Big Hammer Wines
  • by Greg Martellotto

Natural Wines With Big Hammer Wines

We select wines that meet our stringent criteria: Negligible Sugars Low Sulfites Low Alcohol No...

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Bordeaux Futures
Bordeaux en Primeur Futures, Wine Experts - Live from Bordeaux
  • by Greg Martellotto

Bordeaux en Primeur Futures, Wine Experts - Live from Bordeaux

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Wine 101: The Basics
Comparing Chardonnays: What Does Color Tell You About a Wine?
  • by Greg Martellotto

Comparing Chardonnays: What Does Color Tell You About a Wine?

At Big Hammer Wines, we have the pleasure and opportunity to taste thousands of quality...

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Wine 101: The Basics
BHW Expert Wine Shipping Advice
  • by Greg Martellotto

BHW Expert Wine Shipping Advice

Should you have any inquiries, don't hesitate to contact us or check out the shipping...

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Wine 101: The Basics
fortified wine
  • by Greg Martellotto

Fortified Wine: How to Combat the Cold of Winter

When the dark days of winter seem to settle over you without end, warm yourself...

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Wine 101: The Basics
BHW | How does wine end up in a grocery store? | Hobsons 1
  • by Greg Martellotto

BHW | How does wine end up in a grocery store? | Hobsons 1

Say goodbye to the mundane and hello to a world of exceptional wines waiting to...

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Wine 101: The Basics
BHW | How does wine end up in a grocery store? Hobsons 2
  • by Greg Martellotto

BHW | How does wine end up in a grocery store? Hobsons 2

Say goodbye to the mundane and hello to a world of exceptional wines waiting to...

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Wine 101: The Basics
A Discussion with Jeffrey Davies of Signature Selections: About Bordeaux Vintages Since 1972
  • by Greg Martellotto

A Discussion with Jeffrey Davies of Signature Selections: About Bordeaux Vintages Since 1972

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Bordeaux Futures
Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Tasting & Rating Bordeaux from 80 year old Cab Franc vines
  • by Greg Martellotto

Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Tasting & Rating Bordeaux from 80 year old Cab Franc vines

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Bordeaux Futures
Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Draining the Swamp
  • by Greg Martellotto

Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Draining the Swamp

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Bordeaux Futures
Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Right Bank vs Left Bank Soils
  • by Greg Martellotto

Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Right Bank vs Left Bank Soils

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Bordeaux Futures
Mastering Bordeaux Wines: This is How We Uncover the Gems
  • by Greg Martellotto

Mastering Bordeaux Wines: This is How We Uncover the Gems

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Bordeaux Futures
Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Jeffrey Davies Wine Wall Of Fame
  • by Greg Martellotto

Mastering Bordeaux Wines: Jeffrey Davies Wine Wall Of Fame

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Wine 101: The Basics
How to Sell My Wine Collection for More Money
  • by Greg Martellotto

How to Sell My Wine Collection for More Money

https://www.BigHammerWines.com/ | 707-302-4664 | Want to Sell Your Wine Collection? Find Out How Wine Collectors...

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Bordeaux Futures
Bordeaux Futures Explained by a Big Hammer Wines Wine Expert
  • by Greg Martellotto

Bordeaux Futures Explained by a Big Hammer Wines Wine Expert

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Bordeaux Futures
Bordeaux en Primeur Futures Explained by Online Wine Store Wine Expert
  • by Greg Martellotto

Bordeaux en Primeur Futures Explained by Online Wine Store Wine Expert

Whether 2021 Bordeaux En Primeur for the 2020 vintage goes live or virtual, buyers should...

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Wine 101: The Basics
Learn to Drink Wine Like an Expert, Explained by OUR Sommeliers
  • by Greg Martellotto

Learn to Drink Wine Like an Expert, Explained by OUR Sommeliers

There are some typical mistakes we make when drinking wine. Learn what they are and...

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Wine 101: The Basics
BHW: Interview with Tabali #1 Chilean Winemaker Felipe Muller- Part 1 - 4
  • by Greg Martellotto

BHW: Interview with Tabali #1 Chilean Winemaker Felipe Muller- Part 1 - 4

Tabali winery and vineyards are in one of the northern-most wine regions in Chile, Limarí,...

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Bordeaux Futures
What are Bordeaux Wine Futures: How to Order & Invest
  • by Greg Martellotto

What are Bordeaux Wine Futures: How to Order & Invest

We are thrilled to announce that our 2022 Bordeaux en Primeur Futures program is now...

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Wine 101: The Basics
What's the Best Temperature to Serve Wine
  • by Greg Martellotto

What's the Best Temperature to Serve Wine

We get a lot of folks that often search our website and are asking the...

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Wine 101: The Basics
Cool Climate vs. Hot Climate Wines: What Wine Lovers Need to Know
  • by Greg Martellotto

Cool Climate vs. Hot Climate Wines: What Wine Lovers Need to Know

I’ve spent the last twenty years in every facet of the wine industry. I make...

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