Recommended Wines

The hilly Langhe region of northwestern Italy is best known for its legendary Barolo and Babaresco reds. But it’s also home to their younger, fresher, and more accessible sibling, the Langhe Nebbiolo. Made from the same grape and grown on hillsides near the iconic villages of Barolo, La Morra, and Alba...

Perfect 100-point scores are rare enough in the wine world, even more so when you’re a boutique artisanal winemaker from Austria's smallest DAC. Markus Huber has done the unthinkable, putting Traisental on the map with precision, purity, and exceptional value.

Introducing Markus Huber

Markus Huber grew...

Most people know the difference between black and green olives is when they’re harvested. The earlier they are picked, the more bitter and grassy notes. Black olives are picked when they’re fully ripe, so the flavor is richer and rounder. 

But the biggest difference in flavor comes down to olive variety...

Just like wine, the quality and character of olive oil is shaped by the terroir where it grows. Oils crafted on the arid plains of Castilla y León taste drastically different from an Extra Virgin oil from the rolling Veneto hills near Lake Garda or sunbaked volcanic groves in Basilicata in southern Italy...

Vines quite literally fight for survival in the barren, sunscorched Priorat region of northern Spain. These tough conditions, disease and war almost wiped out winemaking here until the 1980s when a vibrant new generation of winemakers moved in. Since then Priorat has rebuilt its reputation as one of...

You don't need to be a wine expert to know that Burgundy is the land where Chardonnay best expresses its potential, in an incomparable natural environment. This prestigious wine region, located in central-eastern France, produces some of the most coveted Chardonnays in the world.

Within Burgundy, the...

In the arid heart of Iberia, a Frenchman named Didier Belondrade has been creating a selection of stunning Verdejo. Belondrade, his winery, was founded in 1994, when Didier moved from his native Montauban to Rueda, a village just outside of Valladolid. He brings a sense of Burgundian precision to Spain’s...

In a region where prestige often comes with a high price tag, Domaine Charles Audoin delivers something rare: top-tier Burgundy that still flies under the radar. It is located in the village of Marsannay, which was only given AOC classification in 1987 - and this was due, in a large part, to the winemaking...

Israeli winemaking is experiencing a renaissance in the modern era, grabbing international headlines for its bold, modern expressions and unique arid terroirs. The viticultural tradition has been part of Israel’s history for thousands of years. From grape-growing references in Deuteronomy in the Bible...

Once the hidden gems and ancient cradles of European winemaking, Georgia, Greece, and Slovenia are now lighting up wine lists and sommeliers’ radars with unusual techniques, bold native varietals, and strikingly modern flair. These aren’t your usual suspects - at least in the 21st century - and that’s...

It’s not Tempranillo, it’s not Garnacha – it’s Mencía. And it might be the most interesting Spanish grape you’ve never heard of. Once thought to be a cousin of Cabernet Franc due to their many similarities, it is actually the offspring of two rare Portuguese grapes, and is making a comeback along Spain’s...

There’s magic in a glass of Chablis – a purity and a steely precision that says this is Chardonnay, but not as you know it. It is incredible that an area of approximately 70 square kilometres can have such a profound and lasting impact on the world of wine, and popular culture as a whole.

Chablis is...

The Queen of White Wine

Chardonnay is a grape that has inspired a thousand songs, makes up the cornerstone of any great gastronomic experience, and is the most widely planted white grape in the world. It can cater to anybody’s personal taste, depending on where it is grown: from crisp, saline, and mineral...

Have you grown tired of the usual Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines? Or perhaps you’ve gone as deep into the regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, California, and Tuscany as you can go, and you’re looking for something entirely new. The world of wine is vast, and there’s no point sticking to the beaten...

Imagine two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. One bursts with gooseberry and citrus, leaping out of the glass. The other is more restrained, with notes of sea salt, herbs, and wet stone. They’re made from the same grape, but were grown continents apart. This is the elegant tension between the Loire Valley...

Italy is home to a countless number of native grape varieties – so why would you stick to the same three? This summer is the perfect time to experiment with Italian white wine. In this article, we’re going to explore a diverse selection of regions and grapes, all from the 8Wines portfolio. We’re including...

From producing one of the most prized wines in the world to enduring decades of economic stagnation and enforced bulk wine production, South Africa’s wine industry hasn’t had the easiest start in life. Yet thanks to a new generation of bold, pioneering winemakers, this up-and-coming nation is now regarded...

If there’s any wine that tastes like sitting by the ocean on a perfect summer’s day, it would have to be Albariño. Known for its heady aromatic hints of peaches, apricots and honeysuckle, this crisp white wine is predominantly grown in Spain and Portugal where locals enjoy it alongside fresh local...

Once looked down on as inferior to the great wines of Europe, American wines are enjoying a surge in popularity. While many European regions have strict regulations intended to ensure quality and preserve traditions, American winemakers have great freedom to experiment and innovate. This has created...

Just to the west of Verona, the city immortalized as the home of ill-fated lovers in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet, is the rolling hills and valleys of the Valpolicella wine region. Like many Italian regions, Valpolicella is best known for one particular style of wine that has evolved and developed...

Perched atop a small 2,300-foot promontory in the beautiful Paso Robles hills, Daou Winery is the creation of brothers Daniel and George Daou, who passionately craft some of the world’s finest Cabernets as well as world-class Bordeaux blends that combine the elegance of Old World wines with the exuberance...

The gentle rolling hills of Tuscany might not seem like the setting for a revolution. For centuries the rhythms and traditions of making wine here remained almost unchanged, cemented by medieval monastic orders and powerful noble families like the Medicis who established the region as an epicentre for...

La Rioja Alta is a pearl within an oyster: one of the most venerated wineries in the world, situated in one of the world’s greatest winemaking regions. It was founded in 1890 in Haro, La Rioja, Spain. This was just 2 years before the “Viticulture and Enology Station of Haro” was established, one of the...

The name “Burgundy” has become more or less synonymous with quality wine. However, due to several factors, including reputation, regulations, and a scarcity of vineyards, it is also an expensive region to buy wine from. In this article, we give you the know-how to find great value Burgundy wine. When...

Tannins are often used to describe a wine’s profile, but their role or what they are is usually little understood. In a sentence, tannins dry out your mouth – they are usually most noticeable after you take a sip. The bigger, bolder, and more red the wine is, the more presence they are likely to have....

Altitude is a desirable trait in a vineyard and as far as high-altitude viticulture is concerned, very few wineries can hold a flame to the iconic wines of El Enemigo. Altitude is one of those things you hear a lot about when you start exploring the world of wine in any depth, with the cool air and direct...

Italy is one of the countries that have a lot of heritage, beautiful sceneries, delicious food, and quality wine in the world. When it comes to the choice of wine Italy is famous for its rather rich and diverse selection of white wines known as vini bianchi. Such wines have their distinct taste because...

If you are already found to fall in love with Sauvignon Blanc which has light, peppery and crispy taste then you for sure will be excited to know that there is a galaxy to explore. The name Sauvignon is derived from the French word “sauvage,” which translates to “wild.” It is widely produced by many...

French red wine is often seen as the best and most famous in the world, known for its variety, depth of flavor, and high quality. From the cool vineyards of Burgundy to the sunny hills of the Rhône Valley, each region in France brings something unique to the table through its land and winemaking traditions...

Syrah is a red wine grape variety that is also called Shiraz in some parts of the world, such as Australia and it has a rich history and a worldwide reputation for delivering big, full flavored wines. In our full guide we will pay attention to the appeal of Syrah, discuss its source, what makes it so...

There aren’t many grape varietals that have reached Pinot Noir’s level of mystique. It is a sensitive, temperamental grape, best summed up in Paul Giamatti’s infamous monologue from the movie Sideways: “Pinot needs constant care and attention, you know? And in fact, it can only grow in these really specific,...

Introduction to Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir, of course, the "heartbreak grape," is the uncontested "head of state" among the entire pinot family, loved by so many wine connoisseurs from all over the world. Small size, delicate outside skin and its susceptibility to diseases all are problems farmers or breeders...

Champagne? Non. We are exploring the best sparkling wines from outside the esteemed region of Champagne. It may be the biggest name in the world of wine, but it is far from the only sparkling wine you can buy. In fact, there are many affordable alternatives, and many people here at 8Wines would choose...

Over the last two decades, the wine industry in the country of Georgia has experienced enormous, unparalleled growth. 

This ancient wine-making region is famed for its amber Qvevri wines and its semi-sweet reds such as Kindzmarauli. Although difficult to pronounce (“k-whe-air-vree” and “kinz-mah-rah-oo-lee”,...

In 1976, at the Judgement of Paris, US red wine crossed the threshold into the world of fine wine. Upon tasting a particularly excellent Napa Valley offering, one judge exclaimed “Ah, back to France!”, forever shattering the idea that good wine only came from Europe. These days, there is no line in the...

Introduction to Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as the "King of Red Wines," is one of the most renowned and widely recognized grape varietals in the wine world. Its deep color, rich flavors, and ability to age gracefully make it a favorite among wine enthusiasts and collectors...

Six alternative & exciting new wines from emerging winemaking hotspots

Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

Thymiopoulos Earth & Sky Xinomavro

Six up-and-coming great wines from exciting places

Clos de Gat Har'el Merlot

As warm weather sets in, consider a refreshing alternative to traditional thirst-quenchers like lemonade or iced coffee: wine from New Zealand. Renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand offers much more. From rich Chardonnays to vibrant Pinot Noirs and bold Bordeaux-style reds, its diverse landscape...

Cabernet Sauvignon is essentially the prima donna of grapes. Even if you know next to nothing about wine, you will almost certainly recognise the name. It is adored worldwide for its versatility, accessibility and ability to age wonderfully.

At 8Wines, we know that one of the most satisfying things for...

Rosé is so much more than it is given credit for. In recent years, it has gained a reputation as a sweet treat, a cheap and cheery alternative to red wine that anybody can love. In this article, we’re going to try and shatter those misconceptions, and introduce you to the real rosé. To save from standing...

Château Purcari, located in Moldova’s southern reaches, is an artful fusion of the east and west. There is nowhere else in the world where you can find Cabernet Sauvignon blended with the ancient Georgian Saperavi grape in such an effective and delicious way.

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and...

Chardonnay is one of the most popular white wines in the world and definitely, one of the most universally loved. Finding a Chardonnay in the shop is like meeting an old friend, and it is always a reliable choice. However, as we will discover in this article, this wine can also have incredible depth...

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the most famous names in wine. The region itself is remarkably small, centred around a village (also called Châteauneuf-du-Pape), in the southern half of the Rhône Valley. The landscape here is sun-baked, with stony, sandy soils, dry scrubland, and of course, lots of vines....

Wine can be a great ice-breaker but sometimes, you need something a little bit extra. Certain occasions just call for wine-related games. Think along the lines of a Christmas gathering. A wine-tasting party, where everybody is just a little uptight. Housewarming parties, birthdays, or even just gathering...

Spain is a country with an ancient wine-making history and is home to some of the greatest wine regions in the world. Spanish red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero are only matched by the likes of the mighty Italian Barolo and Bordeaux reds. Spain grows more vines than any other country in the world...

If you’re a wine lover like us, you probably like to build your Christmas menu around your wine. This is the best time of year to bring out those special bottles you’ve been waiting to try and savor them with your nearest and dearest. In this guide we’ll share what we’ll be drinking for this year’s feast...

Washington State is a young wine region but has quickly become one of the most prolific in the United States. Wine producers have been sprouting like daisies in recent years. The state now hosts more than a thousand wineries and over 50,000 acres of vineyards. In this article, we’ll look at the people...

Italian red wine is full of variety, flavor, and history, but figuring out where to start can be tricky. With so many grapes, styles, regions and names that are hard to pronounce!, it’s easy to feel lost. This guide will introduce you to some of the most notable names to know, helping you find the perfect...

When we think of Italy, our mind immediately transports us to breezy summer afternoons, eating fresh pasta and sipping on quality wine. Although regions like Toscana are highly famous for their wine production and grape varieties, being the first place we picture when thinking about the country, other...