The Cork Dork | Giggly Grapes

Wine Aerator Review: Does the Luxury 2018 Pourer Actually Work?

06/10/2024

Red wine pouring through an in-bottle aerator into a glass

We tested a cheap pour-through aerator on two reds. It fixes one specific problem very well, and cannot do the thing the box promises.

Off-Dry Wine: What It Means and How Sweet It Is

04/10/2024

Three glasses of white wine in a row from pale to deep gold

Off-dry means 4 to 12 grams of sugar a litre. Here is the full sweetness scale in numbers, why off-dry often tastes dry, and why Extra Dry sparkling is sweeter than Brut.

What Is a Fifth Growth Wine? The 1855 Bordeaux Ranking Explained

04/10/2024

Three unlabelled Bordeaux bottles beside a glass of red wine on a timber table

A fifth growth is a Bordeaux château in the bottom band of the 1855 classification. There are 18, twelve of them in Pauillac, and the label says more about 1855 prices than today’s wine.

What Wine Goes with Shawarma: Perfect Pairings Revealed

03/10/2024

Looking to spice up your next meal with the perfect wine pairing? Shawarma, a Middle Eastern favourite, might seem tricky ...

Classic Negroni Recipe: Equal Parts, Properly Made

30/08/2024

A short glass filled with a dark amber cocktail, two large ice cubes, and an orange twist, sits on a wooden bar. Blurred glass bottles and orange peel are visible in the background.

Discover the best Negroni recipe for a perfect blend of gin, Campari, and vermouth. We'll guide you through crafting this classic Italian cocktail like a pro.

Best Red Wine for Mushroom Bourguignon: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

26/08/2024

Bowl of mushroom bourguignon with a glass of Pinot Noir

The best red wine for mushroom bourguignon is Pinot Noir, with Gamay and Grenache close behind. Why the meat-free version needs softer wine than the beef one, and what to avoid.

Wine Savant Bottle Aerator Review: Pretty, but Does It Work?

24/08/2024

Hand-blown glass bulb aerator in the neck of a red wine bottle beside a glass of Shiraz

The Wine Savant bulb aerator is the best-looking aerator we own. Here is what it does to the wine, what it does not, and what to pour in it.

Miso and Wine: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

23/08/2024

Bowl of miso soup beside a glass of white wine on a timber table

Miso is salty, sweet and full of umami, which is hard on red wine. What to pour with miso soup, miso black cod and miso ramen, and the reds to keep off the table.