Free Resources

Wine Guides

Your complete wine education library. Download free PDFs, varietal guides, region maps, tasting worksheets, and expert resources to deepen your wine knowledge.

20+ PDFs

Free downloads

5 Regions

Detailed maps

15 Varietals

Complete profiles

Tools

Tasting sheets

Beginner Wine Guides

Start your wine journey with these essential guides designed for newcomers

FREE PDF

Wine 101: Complete Beginner's Guide

24 pages • Updated 2025

Everything you need to start your wine journey. Learn about wine types, how to read labels, tasting basics, and storage tips.

What's Inside:

  • Wine types & classifications
  • How to read wine labels
  • Basic tasting techniques
  • Storage & serving temperatures
  • Common wine terms glossary

12,453 downloads

FREE PDF

Wine Tasting Worksheets

Printable Templates

Professional tasting note templates to track your wine experiences. Perfect for tastings, events, or building your wine journal.

Includes:

  • Individual tasting sheet
  • Blind tasting scorecard
  • Comparative tasting grid
  • Aroma wheel reference
  • Wine cellar tracking log

8,921 downloads

FREE PDF

Wine & Food Pairing Chart

Quick Reference Guide

At-a-glance pairing recommendations for every occasion. Hang it on your fridge or keep it in your kitchen for instant pairing help.

Features:

  • Wine-to-food matrix
  • Cheese pairing guide
  • Regional cuisine matches
  • Pairing principles explained
  • Printable wall poster (18x24")

15,782 downloads

More Beginner Resources

How to Open & Serve Wine

Step-by-step guide with photos. Corkscrews, decanters, glassware.

Wine Label Decoder

Understand French, Spanish, Italian, and New World labels.

Wine Storage & Temperature Guide

Optimal serving temps, storage conditions, aging potential.

Wine Buying Tips for Beginners

How to shop smart, value wines, when to splurge.

Varietal Profiles

In-depth guides to the grape varieties from Spanish-speaking wine regions

Malbec

Argentina's Signature Grape

Origin & Regions

Originally from France (Cahors), Malbec found its true home in Argentina's Mendoza region. High-altitude vineyards (3,000-5,000 ft) produce exceptional fruit concentration.

Key Regions: Mendoza (Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley), Salta

Tasting Profile

Color: Deep purple to inky black

Aromas: Blackberry, plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate

Palate: Full-bodied, velvety tannins, dark fruit, mocha

Finish: Long, smooth, hints of smoke and leather

Body

Full-bodied

Tannins

Velvety, medium-high

Acidity

Medium

Perfect Pairings

Grilled ribeye, Argentine asado, braised short ribs, empanadas, aged manchego, dark chocolate

Download Complete Guide

  • Detailed tasting notes
  • Regional map of Mendoza
  • Producer recommendations
  • Vintage guide
  • Food pairing suggestions

Tempranillo

Spain's Noble Red

Origin & Regions

Spain's most planted red grape, Tempranillo ("little early one") ripens early and thrives in Spain's continental climate. Known as Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero.

Key Regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro, Penedès

Tasting Profile

Color: Ruby red to garnet

Aromas: Red cherry, strawberry, tobacco, leather, vanilla (oak)

Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, red fruit, earthy notes

Finish: Medium-long, savory, dried herbs

Body

Medium to medium-full

Tannins

Medium, silky

Acidity

Medium-high

Perfect Pairings

Lamb chops, roasted vegetables, chorizo, paella, aged sheep's milk cheese, tomato-based dishes

Download Complete Guide

  • Rioja vs Ribera comparison
  • Aging classifications explained
  • Top producer directory
  • Oak aging impact guide
  • Spanish wine terms glossary

Carménère

Chile's Lost Bordeaux Grape

Origin & Regions

Originally from Bordeaux, Carménère nearly went extinct in France after phylloxera. Rediscovered in Chile in 1994, where it was mistaken for Merlot for over a century.

Key Regions: Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley

Tasting Profile

Color: Deep ruby to purple

Aromas: Black fruit, green bell pepper, herbs, cocoa

Palate: Medium to full-bodied, smooth, herbal notes

Finish: Medium-long, spicy, peppery

Body

Medium-full

Tannins

Soft, supple

Acidity

Medium

Perfect Pairings

Roasted vegetables, herb-crusted chicken, pork tenderloin, mushroom risotto, green peppercorn sauce

Download Complete Guide

  • The Carménère story
  • Chile wine regions map
  • How to recognize quality
  • Best producers list
  • Serving recommendations

Additional Varietal Guides Available

Tannat (Uruguay)

Bold, tannic, blackberry notes

Torrontés (Argentina)

Aromatic white, floral, crisp

Albariño (Spain)

Crisp, mineral, seafood-friendly

Garnacha (Spain)

Fruit-forward, spicy, versatile

Verdejo (Spain)

Fresh, tropical, herbaceous

Monastrell (Spain)

Robust, earthy, age-worthy