Blog | Giggly Grapes

What Is a Riddling Rack? The Champagne Tool Explained

21/05/2024

Wooden riddling rack holding sparkling wine bottles neck-down in a cellar

A riddling rack holds 120 bottles neck-down so the yeast slides into the neck. Here is how it works, who invented it, and why machines replaced it.

How Long Does Wine Last After Opening? A Simple Guide.

20/05/2024

How long does wine last after opening? Get tips on properly storing opened bottles & learn factors that affect wine's shelf life from this handy guide.

Moët vs Veuve Clicquot: Which Champagne Is Better?

17/05/2024

Two Champagne bottles and two glasses side by side on a timber table

Same region, same method, same parent company, two different personalities. The grapes, the history, the taste and which one to buy for which night.

Vintage vs Non-Vintage Champagne: The Difference Explained

16/05/2024

Two Champagne bottles and two flutes, one paler and one deeper gold

Non-vintage is a blend of years made for consistency; vintage is one great year aged longer. How each is made, how they taste, what they cost and which to buy.

Chardonnay Food Pairing: What to Eat With Oaked and Unoaked Chardonnay

15/05/2024

Glass of Chardonnay beside a golden roast chicken

Roast chicken, buttery seafood, creamy pasta or a plate of prawns: what to eat with Chardonnay, why oaked and unoaked need different dinners, and what to avoid.

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

14/05/2024

Glass of sparkling wine beside a bowl of popcorn

Sparkling wine wins, and the salt is doing more work than you think. What to pour with salted, buttered and caramel popcorn, and what to leave in the rack.

MCC vs Champagne: The Difference, and Which One to Buy

13/05/2024

Two glasses of sparkling wine side by side on a timber table

Same method, different place, very different price. What Méthode Cap Classique is, how the rules compare to Champagne, and when each one is the right bottle.

Best Wine With Nachos: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

10/05/2024

Platter of loaded nachos with a glass of chilled red wine

The best wine with nachos is a chilled, low-tannin red like Grenache or a cold off-dry Riesling. Why salt, fat and jalapeño heat rule out the big reds, and what to pour instead.

Wine Pairing With Omelette: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

09/05/2024

Folded omelette with chives on a plate beside a glass of sparkling wine

Egg yolk coats the palate and mutes wine, so the answer is bubbles or acid, then match the filling. Sparkling first, Chardonnay for cheese, Sauvignon Blanc for herbs.

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

08/05/2024

Greek moussaka in a baking dish beside a glass of red wine on a timber table

Moussaka needs acidity, not muscle. Xinomavro is the best answer, with Sangiovese and Grenache behind it, and the béchamel is the reason your usual big red falls over.