Same grape, completely different wine. It happens more often than you might think, and the reasons are more interesting than you would expect. From the role of climate and centuries of winemaking tradition, to the way a label can quietly tell you everything (or nothing) about what is inside the bottle, this article unpacks why California and European wines often feel like they come from different planets, even when they share the same grape. Pull up a glass and read on.

What is the common denominator of some of the best Italian red wine?

Hint: think Brunello and Chianti red wine…. it’s Sangiovese!

It’s an old world wine grape that is often shrouded behind the name of a wine name or appellation, which changes depending on where it is planted and the conditions it undergoes… And despite what Wikipedia says, you find it in many wine regions beyond Tuscany. In fact, it is a grape that has been, and still is, the source of many debates, in Italy and around the world. Learn about this key, behind the scenes player in some of the Italian red wine best.