Wine fundamentals

Jill Wells

Wine-fundamentals writer for the visually-minded learner.

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Written by Jill Wells

Recent articles

Jun 11, 2026

A Match-Day Drinks Playbook for World Cup Snacks Around the Globe

The World Cup brings global street food to your table this summer. Here is how to pair wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks with snacks from the competing nations.

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May 22, 2026

Five wines every beginner should try first

Forget the long list of grapes. These five wines, tasted in order, teach your palate everything it needs to start.

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Mar 29, 2026

The five wine flavor profiles every drinker should know

Once you can name what's in the glass, you can pair anything. Here are the five flavor families that explain almost every wine.

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Mar 22, 2026

Tannin explained: why your mouth puckers

That drying sensation in a young Cabernet? It's the same compound in steeped tea — and it tells you what to eat with the wine.

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Mar 15, 2026

A map of red wines from light to bold

Memorize this spectrum once. You'll know what to order with every dinner from then on.

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Mar 8, 2026

Sweet vs dry: the wine list terms that confuse everyone

If you've ever ordered a wine described as dry and tasted fruit, you've been lied to. Sort of.

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Mar 1, 2026

Why fish and white wine isn't actually a rule

The old rule is half wrong. Some fish prefer reds. Here's the actual logic, and the dishes where it shows up.

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