Averi Melcher

Averi Melcher

Averi is a professional writer, travel blogger, full-time digital nomad, and self-proclaimed wine lover. After spending a year in France and, later, a year in Argentina, she fell in love with red wines but will never turn down a summer-y white or dry rose in the interest of research.

Is Pinot Noir A Sweet or Dry Wine

By Averi Melcher

If you’re new to the world of red wine, or perhaps a white wine or rosé aficionado looking to branch into new (red) territory, you may have found yourself asking: “Is Pinot Noir sweet or dry wine?” 

We’re here to help you understand everything there is to know about this silky red wine, including how it tastes, its origin if Pinot Noir is dry or sweet, and how food pairings can affect its taste.…

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The Red Wine Lover’s Guide to Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

By Averi Melcher

Ask any wine connoisseur where the best Pinot Noir in the US is made – and the Russian River Valley will be at the top of the list. It is truly unlike any other Pinot on Earth – and we’re here to tell you what makes a glass of red wine from this region so special.

The Russian River Valley, with its foggy mystique and rolling hills, produces startlingly vibrant Pinot Noir wines –…

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Intro to Pinot Noir

What is Pinot Noir? Your Introduction to a Beloved Red Wine

By Averi Melcher

Ah, Pinot Noir. With a subtle fruit taste and an array of other delightful flavors rolled into a lovely ruby-colored glass of wine, it is truly a varietal fit for almost any occasion. In fact, it’s known as the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine and it happens to be the most popular wine we make here at Halleck Vineyard.

So, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already heard of or tasted it.

But what is Pinot Noir exactly?…

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Chardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay vs Pinot Grigio vs Sauvignon Blanc: Finding the Best White Wine for You

By Averi Melcher

Do you know the difference between Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc? 

How about what makes oaked wine taste different from unoaked wine? 

Do either of these questions feel like reading a foreign language? 

It will all make sense with this short read. It can be difficult to pick out the nuances between different white wine varieties and to understand the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) differences between them.

Whether you’re new to the world of wine, or an enthusiast expanding your knowledge,…

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Is Sauvignon Blanc Sweet? Unpacking This Diverse White Wine 

By Averi Melcher

Everyone has different wine preferences. Some people like their wine bone dry, and others like a luscious sweetness to their drink. While trying to track down the perfect white wine, you may find yourself wondering: “Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet?” We’re here to offer an answer. 

Whether you like sweet white wine, semi-sweet white wine, or completely dry white wine, there is a Sauvignon Blanc for you. While traditionally dry, Sauvignon Blanc wine can be created with a whole range of sweetness.…

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5 Tips for Planning a Great Virtual Wine Tasting with Friends and Family 

By Averi Melcher

Zoom isn’t just for business meetings and online classes – did you know you can even enjoy a wine tasting over this handy little app? That’s right, you can enjoy delicious wines from the comfort of your home with a virtual wine tasting. 

A virtual wine tasting is a fantastic gift for a business partner or friend, and it can make a super fun experience for the family – or for a fun date night!…

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Is Rose Wine Sweet? (Rosé Wine Sweetness Chart)

By Averi Melcher

Is Rose wine sweet? The truth is, that depends. Rosé wine can be sweet or dry depending on the production method used. With the wide variation of styles and methods, finding the perfect dry or sweet pink wine for your fancy meal is a piece of cake. Learn about the range of options for making Rosé wine with our grape selection chart.

Rosé wine is as equally misunderstood as it is popular. We’ve seen plenty of charts breaking down the nuances in notes,…

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15 Delicious Gewürztraminer Food Pairings 

By Averi Melcher

Gewürztraminer pairings are perfect for summer salads to holiday feasts that work year round. This alluringly aromatic white wine can be sweet or dry, and offers something for white and red wine drinkers alike to enjoy. Best yet, from brunch to dinner to dessert, you can always find a great Gewürztraminer pairing. 

This is not to say that everything pairs well with Gewürztraminer. Dry Gewürztraminer wine is actually quite complex. With strong exotic aromas of lychee and rose petals,…

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Gewürztraminer vs Riesling: A Complete Comparison

By Averi Melcher

There is so much more to the world of white wine than a dry Chardonnay or a grassy Sauv Blanc. And many delectable white wines can turn even the most dedicated red wine drinkers away from the dark side. Especially those white wines that are complex, delightful, and pull their weight against heavy meat dishes, spicy curries, and sweet desserts.

In this example, we’re talking about Gewürztraminer and Riesling. 

Or rather,…

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Gewürztraminer Wine: An Unexpected White Wine You Need to Try

By Averi Melcher

The white wine, Gewürztraminer, may be difficult to pronounce, but it’s incredibly easy to drink. 

Gewürztraminer, pronounced “ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner,” could most assuredly be identified in a blind taste test before anyone even took a sip. A truly sensual experience, Gewürztraminer is a white wine that makes itself known with unignorable, bold, tropical aromas. 

While Gewürztraminer might be identifiable on first sniff, many people have never heard of it. This is a shame,…

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