Welcome to the wine world! We're answering all your top-searched wine-related questions.

Let's jump right in!

What are the best sweet wines?

It depends on your palate, but if you love a sweet wine, you'll love a good Moscato. Of all grape varieties, Moscato is the sweetest.

If you'd rather enjoy a sweet red, ports are the sweetest.

If a wine tends to be sweeter, that means that more residual sugar was left after the fermentation process. This tends to occur naturally during the chemical process.

How do I taste wine properly?

Tasting wine isn't all in your taste buds. Your nose can reveal a lot of information about a wine.

Give your wine a swirl and breathe in your wine. Do you notice any notes? Maybe you smell certain fruits like stone fruits or citrus fruits. Perhaps the notes are earthy or nutty.

After, take a small sip and let the sip linger on your tongue. Holding the sip in your mouth will allow the oxygen to open up the flavors.

What does Cabernet Sauvignon pair best with?

Cabernet Sauvignon is classically known to pair best with grilled steak. There's something about enjoying a nice Cab alongside a red meat dish.

Are you having a delicious hamburger for dinner? Open up a Cab. Are you enjoying a charcuterie board with some delectable aged cheeses? Open up a Cab. Are you having lamb? Open up a Cab.

How do I store fine wine?

Storing wine can feel tricky, so let's break things down and make things easy.

First, let's talk about positioning. A wine bottle should be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist and "prevent oxidation." Our next concern is lighting. Wines flourish in dark rooms, so avoid keeping your wine bottle out in the open light. Next, the temperature matters. You'll want your wine cooler or cellar to be the ideal temperature for your expensive wine to thrive.

Store wine the right way and make your wines last longer.

Where can I buy wine online?

Buying wine, or any liquor, online should be easy.

At ShopWineDirect.com, we'll deliver your favorite wine, beer, and spirits right to your front door. Whether you're looking for a great bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or a nicely aged tequila, we've got you covered.

Learn more about shipping with ShopWineDirect.com.

Which wines should be chilled?

There's nothing better than sipping on a cold, crisp wine on a warm summer evening.

But what wines are meant to be enjoyed chilled?

When you think of chilled wines, you tend to think of white wines, sparkling wines, and rosés. However, there are a few red wines that can be enjoyed chilled. If you want to enjoy a chilled red wine, go for a Pinot Noir or Grenache.

Chilling wines will make the flavors flourish.

Can wine get you drunk?

Yes, you can get drunk if you consume wine.

Each wine has a different alcohol content, and everyone has different alcohol toleration.

Are wines vegan?

You probably immediately thought, well, obviously, wine is vegan. I thought the same. Wine is wine; it's just grapes, right?

Not exactly. Various non-vegan ingredients tend to make their way into wine during the wine-making process, including chitin, casein, gelatin, isinglass, and many others.

To ensure that your wine is vegan, go directly to the wine brand's website and look for the ingredients.

Which wines have the highest alcohol content?

Of all wines, fortified wines tend to have the highest alcohol content.

What wines are dry?

Many wines are considered dry.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are all examples of red dry wines.

On the white wine side, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio tend to be on the drier end.

Are wines named after grapes?

Wines are most often named after their grape varietal. Examples include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

However, many wines can also be named after the region they come from. Two popular examples are Bordeaux and Chianti.

Where do wines come from?

Italy, France, Spain, and the United States are the top wine-producing countries worldwide. Many other countries, including Australia, Argentina, and South Africa, contribute significantly to the world of wine.

In the United States, most wine production occurs in California. California produces nearly 80% of wine in comparison to other states. Top-performing regions in California include Napa Valley and Sonoma County

Will wine explode in the freezer?

This question is a hard-hitting question in the Google search bar.

Yes, wine can explode in the freezer. You must be extremely careful when placing a wine bottle in the freezer. Wine tends to freeze. Watch out for sparkling wine because it will explode.

If you want to quickly chill your wine, pop it in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes and then take it out—remember to take it out!

Can wines be mixed?

Yes, wines can be mixed to make a delicious concoction. Sangria is a popular mixed wine drink that will leave your guests wanting more. It's refreshing, fruity, and tasty. All it takes is some wine, brandy, orange juice, and fruit. Throw it all together, serve it over ice, and watch your guests enjoy it.

Wine can be mixed with various juices and sodas, too.

Can wine expire?

Wines expire differently than your average household item.

Wines often last well after the expiration date. However, you'll notice slight changes. A wine will lose its character, and notes will become less defined as the years pass. Of course, wines last much longer if they are stored properly. Also, red wines tend to last much longer than white wines.

For white wines, a year or two after the expiration date should be fine. Red wines often last up to three years past the expiration date.

Of course, this varies and depends on the wine and wine brand specifically.

Where does the best wine come from?

We all know this answer will vary depending on who you ask, but people love to argue about where the best wine comes from. The short answer is all around the world. Wines, even the best, come from all over.

Napa Valley may be a big player in the States, but many, many countries around the world really know how to compete when it comes to producing delicious wines.

France and Italy are top dogs in the wine industry. Many people will even argue that the best wine comes from Bordeaux.

Trying to find a wine from Bordeaux? ShopWineDirect.com makes it easy to search for wines from specific countries.

Are wines spirits?

No, wines are not considered spirits.

Wine is made with fermented grapes, and spirits are made using distilled spirits.

Therefore, wines would not fall under the category of spirits.

Are wine bottles recyclable?

Depending on the state in which you reside, wine bottles may be recyclable.

If you reside in California, as of the new year, you are able to recycle your empty wine bottles. If you reside outside of California, visit your state's page for recycling policies.

Aside from recycling, there are many different fun crafts you can do using your empty wine bottles. Get creative and use your bottles to garden, paint, and even make candles.