Laurent-Perrier has only made a Champagne Millésimé 30 times since the 1950s. Why they chose to make a vintage Champagne in 2012, plus, where I got this rare beauty for less than the cost of a typical bottle of non-vintage Veuve Clicquot.

This is not a wine. :) It’s a terrific book by Adam Grant about achieving greater things, and truly captures why I started Francey Not Fancy.

La Grand Dame: Veuve Clicquot. Why the popular yellow label Champagne isn’t just a nice bottle to pour at a party. It’s the story of France’s first businesswoman.

You’ll hear a whole lot about Sangiovese if you go to Tuscany. But don’t believe the hype that you have to spend a lot to get a great Brunello.

I don’t like Pinot Grigio, but I’m a huge fan of Pinot Gris. What makes them so different…

8 Years in the Desert is Dave Phinney’s triumphant return to Zinfandel after selling The Prisoner. The 2022 is out now and definitely worth a swig.

I have a love/hate relationship with the show, Drops of God. What it teaches us about wine, where it goes wrong, plus the one wine in the show you have to try.

These were two of the best bargains at the 2020 Bordeaux tasting in NYC this year. Both are still available online at great prices.

British sparkling wine is making a splash thanks to climate change and because it’s really good. This one has a special connection to the Judgement of Paris.

This is a delicious Saint-Joseph I had at Bistrot Paul Bert in Paris. Saint Joseph is Syrah. But is Syrah the same grape as Petite Sirah or Shiraz?

The night Francey Not Fancey launched a dear friend texted to ask what pairs best with Frosted Flakes. She called it a “serious inquiry.” Milk was my first answer. Here are some other ideas…

If you’ve never heard of Zweigelt, you’re in good company. Here are some fun facts about Austria’s most common red wine grape.

What is Grower Champagne? And why this wine is a great value for just under $50.

There are three different Stags Leap spellings. Find out how an apostrophe can make all the difference in the world, or at least all the difference in California.

Beaujolais is not bad wine, but it’s also not the Beaujolais Nouveau you hear so much about every November. What the differences are, and why you should consider a Beaujolais with your next meal.

A rosé by any other name. What’s the difference between rosé, rosato, and rosado?

This beautiful Basque Country wine is such a fun alternative to your everyday white. Keep reading to find out how to say Txakoli, plus what makes it so delicious.

Chablis, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…you are pure, gorgeous, Chardonnay. Keep reading to find out more about this magical Burgundian white wine.

What’s in a cork? How to tell if your wine is bad by smelling a cork…plus. other ways to find out if your wine isn’t right and you should send it back,

2018 Guigal Côte-Rôtie, a 99 point Syrah for $99. Why I think a $99 wine is still a value.