Learn Wine, One Glass at a Time
Somm Scribe is a practical wine education blog designed to help you taste with confidence. From understanding wine labels and regions to learning how flavor, oak, and structure work together, each guide is built to make wine more approachable — one glass at a time.
How to Tell If a Wine Is High Quality: Without Being a Snob
People love to talk about “good wine,” but the truth is… most folks don’t actually know what that means. Does expensive wine always equal high quality? (No.) Can a $12 bottle taste fantastic? (Absolutely.) And do you need formal training to know the difference? Not even close. This guide will walk you through the essentials in a simple, friendly way so you can judge quality confidently, without sounding like you’re auditioning for a sommelier exam.
How to Read a Wine Label: Without Feeling Lost
Wine labels can feel confusing; foreign words, abbreviations, vineyards, regions, alcohol percentages, vintage years… and none of them tell you, in plain English, what the wine actually tastes like. Good news: once you know the key parts of a label, you can instantly understand style, quality, and what to expect in your glass. This guide breaks down the essentials so you can choose wine with confidence.
Napa Valley Wine Guide: What Makes the Region Special
Napa Valley is one of the most famous wine regions in the world — a small strip of land in Northern California that produces bold reds, elegant whites, and some of the most sought-after bottles in the U.S. But what actually makes Napa wine unique? And how do you understand the styles that come from this iconic region?
What Is a Tasting Note?
When you’re learning about wine, you’ll eventually hear people talk about “tasting notes.” Sometimes they sound poetic, sometimes technical, and sometimes a little over the top — but the idea behind them is actually simple.