10 Light-Bodied Red Wines That Are Perfectly Chillable

Light-bodied red wines are an underrated gem, especially when chilled. These wines, typically lower in tannins and alcohol, offer a refreshing and vibrant drinking experience, perfect for warm weather or casual gatherings. From Pinot Noir to Gamay, light-bodied reds can showcase a range of delicate fruit flavors, earthy notes, and crisp acidity that make them ideal candidates for a quick chill, any time of year. In this wine 101 blog, we'll explore some of the best light-bodied reds that not only thrive with a slight chill but also provide a fresh twist on traditional red wine enjoyment. I've also included some food pairing ideas and bottles to try.

Wine, Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensSeptember 10, 2024Wine, White wine, Food and Wine Pairing, Food and Wine, winter wines, winter wine, fall winesComment

Melon, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Salad Paired with Vinho Verde White and Rosé Wines

This melon, prosciutto, and mozzarella salad pairs perfectly with Vinho Verde white and rosé wines. It’s an easy summer appetizer and wine pairing that only requires a few fresh ingredients. Keep reading this post to learn more about Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region, explore some history about the fresh wines produced here, and get the full recipe and wine pairing details.

Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensAugust 15, 2024Wine, White Wine, wine tasting, Wine for beginners, Best beginner wines, Sweet winesComment

Steak Crostini with Truffle Balsamic and Burrata Paired with Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the best steak crostini recipe. Pair these crostini with your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon for an elevated date-night-in or bring these along with you to a party and be the most popular guest of the evening. Keep reading this post to find the full recipe, learn some fun facts about Cabernet Sauvignon, and discover why this food and wine pairing works so well.

Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensFebruary 21, 2024Wine, White Wine, wine tasting, Wine for beginners, Best beginner wines, Sweet winesComment

3 Easy Valentine's Day Wine and Food Pairings

For me, the best Valentine’s Day wine and food pairings are simple and delicious, yet elevated. And these three appetizer recipes and wine pairings are just that. You might be wondering, “What wine do people drink on Valentine’s Day?” And while there’s no right or wrong answer here, I like to suggest choosing a wine based on the meal you’re planning to eat. Keep reading this post to find the full recipes for all three appetizers, along with wine recommendations for each variety, and discover why these food and wine pairings work so well.

Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensJanuary 25, 2024Wine, White Wine, wine tasting, Wine for beginners, Best beginner wines, Sweet winesComment

BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos Paired with Merlot

These BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos are so easy to make for guests, and when paired with a juicy Merlot, they taste even better. If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to serve for Super Bowl Sunday, or any game day party, look no further than these chicken taquitos. Keep reading this post to find the full recipe, learn some fun facts about Merlot, and discover why this food and wine pairing works so well.

Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensJanuary 16, 2024Wine, White Wine, wine tasting, Wine for beginners, Best beginner wines, Sweet winesComment

Linguine with Clams Paired with Touraine Sauvignon Blanc

This simple linguine with clams recipe comes together in under thirty minutes and is sure to please your next wine dinner party guests. My suggestion: pair this meal with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, France. Keep reading this post to find the best linguine with clams recipe, learn about France’s Touraine wine region, and find out why Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect pairing for this easy seafood pasta.

Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensJanuary 14, 2024Wine, White Wine, wine tasting, Wine for beginners, Best beginner wines, Sweet winesComment

11 Best Valentine's Day Wines for 2023

Whether you’re planning romantic date night, lounging with your gals, or just treating yourself, here are the best wines to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this year. These bottles would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift for that special someone. Plus, I've included some food pairing suggestions to help you get inspired and plan the perfect date-night-in.

5 Tips to Help You Find the Best Thanksgiving Wines 2024

What wines are good for Thanksgiving? To be honest, Thanksgiving can be a sommelier’s nightmare. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! Follow this Thanksgiving wine guide to find wines that will make your guests happy and pair with anything from turkey to green bean casserole or your aunt’s famous mac and cheese. Here are 5 tips to help you find the best wines to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Wine Tasting and Tapas at Château Boutinet in Bordeaux, France

Wine Pairing Dinner at Château Ambe Tour Pourret in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

Have you ever dreamed of having dinner at a château in Bordeaux, France? I got to check this off my bucket list with a wine tasting and wine pairing dinner at Château Ambe Tour Pourret in Saint-Émilion, France. We enjoyed a home-cooked meal alongside organically grown Bordeaux wines, and spent time getting to know the owners of this historic Right Bank winery, the Lannoye family.

7 Woman-Made Wines to Try Right Now

Did you know only about 14% of wineries in California have women as their lead winemakers? Supporting women in the wine industry is important to me because we’ve been underrepresented in the industry for so long, and it’s time to change that. Here are some of my favorite woman-made wines that you should seek out, along with food pairing suggestions, and what makes these female-owned wine brands special.

The Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara Wine Country

Whether you’re staying in the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria, Alisos Canyon, or nearby, these restaurants are a must for your next visit to Santa Barbara wine country. Because let’s be real, wine country trips are all about the food, too. I’m sharing the best restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a delicious weekend in Santa Barbara wine country.

Wine Pairing Recipe: Linguine alle Vongole + Rosé

Linguine alle Vongole, or Linguine with Clams, is one of my favorite pasta recipes to make at home. Here’s how to make my go-to linguine with clams recipe, a rosé pairing and why this food and wine pairing works, plus other wine suggestions to match with your summer seafood dishes.

5 Crisp & Unique White Wines for Summer Sipping

For me, ideal white wines for summer are light-to-medium in body, high in acid (crisp), fruit-forward (but dry), and perfect for pairing with summer activities and dishes. If you enjoy a refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, here are the perfect alternatives for when you’re looking to try something new, plus what they taste like, where they come from, and summer food and wine pairings.

12 Perfect Wines for Valentine's Day

Whether you’re planning a date night at home, a virtual Galentine’s celebration, or a much-deserved self-care day, I’ve got the perfect Valentine’s Day wine in mind for you! Check out my top picks for Valentine’s Day, plus food pairing ideas to go with each bottle.

4 Essential Red Wine and Cheese Pairings

Wine and cheese are simply two of my favorite things. The best part is, when you find a wine and cheese pairing that succeeds, the two work together to make each other taste even better....how is that possible? Here are some food and wine pairing guidelines, along with four red wine and cheese pairings you have to taste.

16 Holiday Gifts for the Wine Lover in Your Life

I’ve rounded up my top 16 holiday gifts for every wine lover. I know the wine world is intimidating if you don’t know much about it, so I’ve created this simple guide for you to peruse and pick something your loved one (or you) might like. Happy shopping!

10 Best White Wines for Fall and Winter 2024

Who says you can only drink white wine in the spring and summer? As the seasons change and temperatures drop, many of us instinctively reach for a bold red wine to complement the cozy vibes of fall and winter. But white wines can be just as fitting during the colder months, offering a refreshing contrast to hearty dishes and rich flavors. Here's a list of the ten best white wines to savor this fall and winter.

Wine, Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensNovember 30, 2020Wine, White wine, Food and Wine Pairing, Food and Wine, winter wines, winter wine, fall winesComment

5 Essential Wine Styles for Your Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is a nightmare of a meal to pair wines with. I’ve done the work for you, so all you have to do is grab at least one bottle of each of these styles and you’re set for an incredible night with amazing food and wine. This guide is complete with my specific wine recommendations, too!

Wine, Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensNovember 22, 2020Wine, Thanksgiving, Food and Wine, Food and Wine Pairing, Holiday WinesComment

How to Make the Perfect Cheeseboard in 6 Steps

When you look at a beautifully curated cheese platter, I know it can be intimidating. But here I’ve broken it down to 6 easy steps that will help you make the perfect, seasonal cheeseboard for any occasion.

Wine, Wine & Food PairingLexi StephensAugust 16, 2020Comment

Explore