THE POUR

When it comes to wine packaging, the bottle is just the beginning. 

We are often asked about the different types and styles of packaging that are happening in the wine industry. There are so many different innovations happening with packaging that winemakers are constantly trying different options to see what sticks. (Hint: the canned wine fad is no longer just a fad.)

It could just be that winemakers think people are tired of looking at the old, classic, bottle of wine and would like to try something new, but it goes deeper than that. A lot of the changes that are happening with the packaging of wine has less to do with “looks” and more to do with functionality.

As much as us Minnesotans like the warmth and sunshine of summer, there's nothing quite like the crisp and comfortable weather that comes with fall. Minnesota falls are for picking apples, carving pumpkins, viewing colorful foliage, sitting by the bonfire, and sipping on craft brews — all of which are plentiful in this northern state. But nothing may be more popular now than craft breweries.

Did you know that more Minnesota breweries opened in 2017 than ever before? It's true! A whopping 30 craft breweries opened in the state last year, as opposed to the 17 that opened in 2016 and 19 that opened in both 2015 and 2014. While most of them are located in the Twin Cities, many new breweries are sprouting up across the state. 

It can be a little overwhelming picking one of 130 breweries statewide, but we've put together a short list of 34 hot spots outside the metro to check out. So, grab a drinking buddy, or two, and hit the road! What are you waiting for?

How many guesses does it take to name the two grape types from the Burgundy wine region? Whether you’re a white wine fan, a red wine drinker — or hell, a beer drinker, cocktail enthusiast, coffee snob, or non-drinker — it won’t take long before you guess the correct answers: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

OK, now that we have those in mind, and we understand Burgundy isn’t just a color, let’s explore what the Burgundy region is, why Burgundy wines are so respected, and learn a little about how Burgundian wines taste.

“Can you grab us some wine glasses?” your friend asks as she opens a bottle in the other room. Then, you open the cabinet and realize you had no idea how many types of wine glasses there are.

There are actually six main types of wine glasses to suit different kinds of wine and some of those have three or four subtypes!

No, it’s not overkill or just for looks. Depending on what you’re drinking, you want different shapes of wine glasses to highlight the features of each different type of wine. Let’s take a look at the main types of wine glasses and why they matter for your drinking experience.

Wine pairing—lots of people think they get it, but more likely than not, they’re just parroting something they overheard from a sommelier at a tasting. Get into sweet wines, though, and it gets even more obvious they’re making it up as they go.

There’s no need to be scared off by sweet wine. It doesn’t mean you’re a novice to seek out and enjoy wines that go down easy. The trick is in learning how to pair them with food that plays to their sweet strengths.

You know some sweet wines are best with dessert, but which ones shine with spicy, salty, or sour foods? Let’s dive into some red wines, some white wines, and relish how sweet it is to drink sweet vino.

If you look closely, you’ll find liqueur in the liquor section of your favorite specialty shop or grocery store. Wait — they’re not the same thing? That’s right, it’s liquor vs. liqueur, two overlapping but distinct terms.

Let’s walk through the basics.

What is the first thing you see when you are buying a bottle of wine? The label.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the label on a bottle of wine carries a lot of weight in the purchasing decision. This can be a great thing.... If you know what you’re looking for.

Sure, you can love your good ole’ domestics year-round. And you can explore the burgeoning world of flavors in craft breweries around the United States without running out of great options. But why not reach beyond your normal scope and expand your horizons with a variety of global brews? You may have heard about some, but others will be an exciting new experience.

What is that pungent odor? Why is there a strange film floating on the surface of this beverage? How does something taste so sharp yet so good?

These are the questions you’ve asked if you’ve seen, smelled, or consumed kombucha. No longer confined to the weird science experiment in the corner of your outdoorsy-and-all-natural-type friend’s kitchen, this beverage is making bold moves on its own and in a burgeoning intersection: kombucha cocktails.

One of the most famous regions for winemaking in France is the Bordeaux region located in southwestern France. Most people associate this area with fantastic estates, beautiful chateaus, and wonderful wines. As glorious as this region is, there always seems to be a little bit of confusion surrounding where certain types of wine are made.

If you’re willing to pause for a minute and explore the left and right banks of Bordeaux, you may find it easier to pick the exact Bordeaux wines that make you and your palate happiest. You’ll discover that the reds and whites from this region are some of the most desired.