Peter Wearing, Author at The Small Winemakers Collection

Sancerre Wine: A Great French White Wine

Peter Wearing Featured September 2, 2021August 24, 2021

An image of two individuals enjoying a glass of Sancerre wine

Sancerre, a medieval town located in the Upper Loire has become home to one of the most notable and praised examples of Sauvignon Blanc. A classic French white wine, Sancerre offers wine lovers a delectable wine experience full of grassy and herbaceous aromas along with pronounced citrus flavours. Below, we’ll guide you through the history of this white wine, its tasting profile, and much more. The History and Origins of Sancerre Many wine enthusiasts often ask the question: “What is …

Rosé Wine: Best Food Pairings for This Refreshing Wine

Peter Wearing Featured, Grape Profiles September 2, 2021August 9, 2021

An image of two women enjoying a glass of rosé wine

Rosé wine is crisp and oh so refreshing and is a popular wine choice during the summer months. One fun way to quench your summer thirst is with a vibrant and fruit-forward glass of rosé. Made with red wine grapes such as the popular varietals Grenache, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon or Franc, Sangiovese etc., this pink-hued wine is produced all over the globe. However, when it comes to selecting a rosé wine, some considerations should be kept in mind. Rosé …

Top 4 Canadian Wine Regions to Put On Your Travel List

Peter Wearing Featured, Regional Profiles September 2, 2021August 9, 2021

An image of a group of friends enjoying glasses of Canadian wine

Canada is home to more than just maple syrup and ice hockey. It also holds its own when it comes to high-quality wine production. While many know Canada for its ice wine, there are numerous regions across the country that make other styles of wine deserving of equal admiration for their passionate and long-standing winemaking traditions. This article will list the top Canadian wine regions that wine enthusiasts should consider for their next wine trip or tasting. Discovering Canadian Wine: …

The Ultimate Guide to Sangiovese: A Classic Tuscan Grape

Peter Wearing Featured, Grape Profiles June 25, 2021

A woman holding a glass of Sangiovese blended red wine.

Known as the grape varietal at the heart of Italy, Sangiovese is Italy’s most widely planted red wine grape. A dominant element of many classic Italian wines, especially Chianti, this grape varietal holds a special place in the hearts of Italian winemakers. As a clear protagonist on the world’s wine stage, our team at Small Winemakers Collection believes that every wine enthusiast should make dedicate time to research and expose themselves to this beloved noble wine. So, without further ado, …

Stellenbosch: Explore South Africa’s Most Loved Wine Region

Peter Wearing Featured, Stellenbosch October 20, 2021June 3, 2021

An image of a grape vineyard surrounded by rolling hills and mountains

South Africa’s most well-known wine region, Stellenbosch is home to some excellent South African wines. Located east of Cape Town, this wine region is one of the oldest and most important wine-producing regions in the country. Below, we will delve deeper into the history of Stellenbosch, its prominent grape varietals, culture, and more. Stellenbosch: South Africa’s Best-Known Secret Stellenbosch is the centre of wine tourism for South Africa. With vineyards on gently rolling hills set amongst the background of granite …

Food and Wine Pairing: Iconic Dishes to Serve with White Wine

Peter Wearing Featured, Wine Pairings May 31, 2021

A glass of white wine served with a crisp, fresh salad

Many wine enthusiasts will agree that a glass of crisp, fresh, zippy white wine can be divine with a large selection of dishes. However, there are some nuances that must be considered when pairing various white wines such as a cool climate Sauvignon Blanc or an oaked Chardonnay. Pairing wine with the right dish can truly elevate your dining experience. Not all foods pair well with all wines. Whether you are at a restaurant or looking to cook something special …

The Ultimate Malbec Wine Pairing Ideas

Peter Wearing Featured, Wine Pairings May 26, 2021

The Malbec grape variety is a favourite among many sommeliers, industry professionals, and wine aficionados because a good Malbec can offer bang for your buck. This dry red wine appeals to many for various reasons including its approachable dark fruity aromas. Indigenous to France, Malbec is typically used both as a blending grape and as a single varietal. Although, nowadays many would be more familiar with a Malbec from Argentina. Another popular reason this red wine is a fan favourite …

Wine Tasting Skills: Tips for Developing Your Palate

Peter Wearing Featured, Tasting Tips April 20, 2021

A woman sipping red wine as part of a wine tasting

Training your wine palate requires consistency, dedication, and a lot of practice. It is a skill that must be honed through hours of tasting and through noting and memorizing the smaller nuances that make different vintages and grape varietals distinct. While there are those who have a naturally attuned wine palate, wine tasting skills should and can be developed. In this article, we will provide simple techniques and tips that you can use to help strengthen your ability to discern …

Riesling Wine: How Well Does It Age?

Peter Wearing Featured, Grape Profiles March 19, 2021

A sommelier prepares a glass of Riesling wine for tasting

As a white grape varietal, Riesling is well-known by professionals and consumers in the food and wine industry. While still a fan favourite amongst sommeliers, its limited retail presence has caused this wine to slip under the radar of some. However, the question many ask about Riesling is: Does it age well? Riesling can in fact be enjoyed both young or aged, depending on the style and structure of the wine. However, there are many considerations that must be kept …

The Importance of Understanding Wine Aroma

Peter Wearing Featured, Tasting Tips March 19, 2021March 16, 2021

A man sniffing a glass of white wine as part of wine tasting.

We’ve spoken previously about the importance of mastering wine tasting skills in order to truly appreciate every glass of wine. One of the core basics of wine tasting is identifying the nose of a wine – its condition, intensity, and aroma characteristics. As you may already know, determining a wine’s aromatic profile is just as important as being able to decipher whether a wine is bitter, salty, or sweet. After all, our first initial impression of a wine is based …