Picnic partners: Think bright, think crisp, think refreshing
Friday, June 13, 2008
The start of summer seems especially sweet this year because of a long dreary winter and rainy spring. So mark the unofficial start of summer with a picnic in your back yard, local park (if allowed) or apartment balcony.
You can have your wine and eat it, too
Friday, June 6, 2008
There's a surefire secret to creating synergy between a dish of food and a glass of wine: Make sure the same wine is in each. Some of the greatest wine and food pairings in history are based on that principle.
What does ‘frizzante' mean?
Defining that and other mysterious Italian wine terminology
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Italian wines are the biggest-selling imported wines in the United States, but just how well does the average wine consumer know them? Probably not much beyond Chianti or pinot grigio.
Petite? Not at all
The ‘John Wayne of grapes' attracts cult following with its rough and ready flavor
Saturday, May 3, 2008
There's nothing wee or precious about petite sirah, a red wine that has been compared, seriously, to John Wayne and whose big, bold profile is at odds with its diminutive name. Like the Duke, petite sirah (variously spelled "syrah") generates passionate feelings from those who delight in its rough and ready style.
Fruity liqueur comes with a French twist
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The opaque elixir before us has the questionable, slightly brownish hue of oxidized dessert wine. Then he pours a splash into a juice glass, releasing inviting citrus aromas. We take sips. Tart orange and clove flavors infuse the earthy warmth of brandy in a drink dancing with fresh fruit.
Muscat love: Extolling the virtues of a versatile grape
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Muscat is an ancient grape poised for new attention from adventurous wine lovers looking for a fragrant wine that comes in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet.
Finding the right zinfandel
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008
Zinfandel, it turns out, presents challenges even for veteran winemakers. First, it's seen as the All-American grape, brought to California around 1849 by Gold Rush miners who turned to agriculture. But it has never earned full respect; critics often call it "rustic," say it'll never be a "noble" grape like cabernet sauvignon, never make a truly elegant wine.
For you, a bouquet of roses
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008
No need to worry if you've put off planning a special evening with a special someone. A flute of pink sparkling wine is a celebration in a glass no matter whom you share it with, or when.
Bringing your own wine to a restaurant? Watch your corking etiquette
Monday, Jan. 28, 2008
The last time I went to visit family in Texas, I faced a dilemma. My brother and I wanted a restaurant with a great wine list. My sister, a vegetarian, wanted a menu with more than a couple of choices for her entree. We decided to compromise and go to an Indian restaurant and take our own wine.
Top 10 food & wine & life pairings to try
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008
After some rigorous winter sport, heat up a big mug of mulled plonk to enjoy while roasting hot dogs by a roaring bonfire. Sip and munch and laugh. Save the S’mores for the hot chocolate
Make 2008 a vintage year
Monday, Jan. 14, 2008
Have a variety of wines on hand so you're prepared for any occasion. This week, we recommend a half-dozen wines representing the six so-called "noble grapes" (plus two bonus sparkling wines) you'll want in your wine rack to meet virtually any food-pairing challenge.
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