Love It and Drink It Blog

Whether you're commemorating a holiday, celebrating a special occasion, or offering congratulations on a major life event, wine makes for an excellent gift. But what if your intended recipient is a wine connoisseur? How can you make sure to give them something they'll actually enjoy? 

We can help with that.  Straight from our own selection, here are some of the best wine gifts for any occasion—and at nearly any price point. 

Best Wine Gifts Under $25

Ludovicus Tinto ($12.99)

Made in Spain's Terra Alta region, this 2014 vintage red combines notes of spiced plum and cherry compote fruits with mineral and peppery spice.  Made primarily from the

Moscato wines tend to be polarizing in the wine community, adored by some and ignored by others. They’re sweet, fragrant, and have a fascinating history that’s perfect for reading about over a glass of—you guessed it—Moscato. Join us as we deep dive into all things sparkling Moscato. 

What is Moscato Sparkling Wine? 

Sparkling Moscato is one of the five primary types of Moscato. As the name suggests, Sparkling Moscato is bubbly and effervescent, layered in fruity overtones followed by a more subtle mineral finish. Sparkling Moscato The Italian wines of Moscato d’Asti (semi-sparkling) and Asti Spumante (sparkling) are two of the most prestigious examples of sparkling Moscato. Both Italian versions have Italy’s highest DOCG classification and have a protected guarantee of origin. For those seeking a top-of-the-line sparkling Moscato, we recommend Moscato d’Asti. Heralding from the Pied

White blend wine is a white wine containing grapes from more than one varietal—Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, for example. Blending allows wine-makers to choose the perfect fusion of grape characteristics, developing a unique flavor profile that the producer couldn’t achieve with single-varietal wine. White wine blends are less fêted than red blends, but many superb white blend wines deserve the attention of wine enthusiasts.

Some amount of blending is a standard part of the wine-making process: a winemaker might blend grapes from different terroirs or barrels to achieve the desired result. But in this article, we’re focusing on white blend wines that mix varietals. 

The History of White Blend Wine

European vineya

Halloween is a night of candies and costumes for kids, but those of us long since retired from trick-or-treating also have a lot to look forward to. Before Halloween got its current name, it was called Samhain, the Celtic festival marking the beginning of winter. Wine played a key role in the festivities, as it should today.  You can, of course, choose your favorite bottles from our vast selection of red, white, and rosé wines. But we’ve put together this collection of particularly spooky wines to inspire you whether you’re planning a Halloween party or looking forward to a

What temperature brings out the best in a bottle of wine? Wine chilling is a topic around which there is much myth and confusion. But, as you’ll discover in this article, a handful of simple wine chilling rules results in a perfectly chilled—or unchilled—bottle of wine, whether red, white, or sparkling. But before we delve into the specifics,  it’s worth considering why wine temperature matters.

The short answer is that temperature affects taste. Wine is a complex mix of ingredients, and every wine has a unique chemical composition. These ingredients behave differently as their temperature changes, affecting how they interact with each other, our taste buds, and, most importantly, our sense of smell. Wine drinkers adjust the temperature of their bottles to achieve the perfect balance of flavors, aromas, and textures. 

How Chilled Should White Wine Be? 

In the 20th century’s middle decades, no cocktail bar or domestic drinks trolley was complete without a selection of vermouths, always including a sweet vermouth from France or Italy. Vermouth from producers such as Cinzano, Noilly Prat, and Martini and Rossi were huge sellers. Towards the end of the century, vermouth suffered a decline in popularity, but its fortunes have revived in recent years. 

Gewürztraminer wine, while less popular than more commonly drank Rieslings, Pinot Grigios, and Chardonnays, is an exceptional varietal. Gewürztraminer wine has been cherished in Italy, France, Hungary, and Germany for hundreds of years. Read on to learn more about Gewürztraminer grapes and wine, including why you should share a bottle at your next get-together. 

How to Pronounce Gewürztraminer 

Ribera Del Duero has been producing wine for thousands of years. But, in just the last 40 to 50 years, the region has blossomed into a powerful wine producer boasting exceptional quality, views, and weather. Whether you’re planning a trip to Ribera Del Duero, or simply curious to learn more about this historic region and the wines produced there, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find everything you need to know in our Ribera Del Duero Wine Guide. 

What is Ribera Del Duero? 

Let’s start with the basics. Ribera Del Duero is a Spanish Denomination of Origin (DO), located approximately two and a half hours north of Madrid. The region is flat, rocky, and approximately 2500 feet above sea level. Soil structure is well suited to wine production, and the height above sea level creates a greater contrast in daily temperature highs and lows, which also assists with grape production quality

Super Tuscan wines are an excellent example of wine innovation. The Super Tuscan story is a classic success story; quality and innovation overcoming adversity and rising to the top. Super Tuscan wine is now a popular drink in Tuscany, Italy, and even around the world. But what is Super Tuscan wine, and how did it come to be? Join us as we dive into Super Tuscan wine’s history, food pairings, and a special recommendation of our favorite bottles. 

What Is Super Tuscan Wine?

Super Tuscan wine is a unique wine that was developed in Tuscany in the 1970s. It was an “unsanctioned” wine designation used by growers in the region who are producing high-quality wines that don’t fit the standards laid forth by the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) classification system. These wines are often a blend of Sangiovese mixed with a French grape such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. In addition to bein

The Loire Valley is one of the largest wine regions in France, producing quality wines in many different varietals. Learn all about the fantastic wines and interesting history stemming from one of France’s most picturesque wine regions.

What is the Loire Valley? 

The Loire Valley is one of France’s many wine regions. It’s also one of its largest as it runs along the banks of the Loire, the longest river in France. Running from the Massif Central in the East all the way to the Atlantic at Saint-Nazaire, The banks of the Loire and its tributaries are dotted with vineyards along the way. Due to its immense size, this wine region is home to 87 different appellations that are each also known for their distinct qualities. 

Loire Valley Wine History

The Loire Valley boasts wine history dating back