Wine 101 – Wine Help

As a wine maker hanger on, I’ve learned more than I could ever want to know about wine. Honestly, I would rather just drink the delicious stuff. (Truly basic wine 101!)

However, when I think about it, some of the knowledge I have gained has helped me in buying better wine (not necessarily more expensive). Also, I do get asked lots of questions, from my non-connoisseur acquaintances. So, I decided, I would write some helpful hints that might actually be worth knowing by us laymen (and women), especially if it helps with buying wines.

So here’s my take on Wine 101… lessons for wine non-connoisseurs.

Here is an easy way to choose a good French wine from the wine bottle label at PumpjackPiddlewick

When it comes to buying wine, being confronted with a sea of wine bottle labels in a shop can be daunting. If not incredibly confusing. Do you go for a classic looking label? (Implying it is a better wine?) Minimalist style or busy with information? There are far too manyRead More →

How many different types of corkscrew are there at PumpjackPiddlewick

Have you given much thought to the humble corkscrew? Beyond that it opens your bottle of wine. Nah, me either. It’s all about the wine, if we are honest. Except, since opening Our Shop and selling wine related items (as you do) I have come to appreciate, recognise and wellRead More →

Want to be able to afford good wine - Start a Wine Cellar

How can one afford, let alone drink good wine year-round unless you are rich? That’s easy, start a wine cellar.  Anyone can do it, it’s easy. And it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. But what is a Wine Cellar? A wine cellar is, simplistically, a placeRead More →

More wine 101 - learning what a wine negociant is at PumpjackPiddlewick

I make no secret that Pumpjack is my very own, personal wine maker. Am I lucky, or what?  I’ve detailed our adventures in finding a vineyard after moving here to France in our Whatnots about Our Wine. I have also outlined (monthly) what’s involved in working a vineyard (read backRead More →