Last summer, when Mexico was still in the game — the World Cup, that is — nary a seat could be found at restaurants in downtown Napa, California. More...

Whether looking at a wine country map or your smartphone’s GPS, visitors to California’s Napa Valley can plainly see that the winery-dotted stretch of highway ends in a quaint western town called Calistoga. More...

Just when you thought you were safe, the holidays have rolled around again. In addition to the ordinary vicissitudes of life, you’ll likely be wrapped up with buying gifts, planning elaborate meals, and hosting friends and relatives. More...

The Etruscans sure knew what they were doing nearly 3,000 years ago when they started planting grapes in the region we now know as Tuscany. More...

It was a year ago that wildfires spread throughout California’s wine country, forging a path of death and destruction that topped anything the state had previously experienced.  The smoke and ash were so thick they could be seen from space.  More...

Not too many years ago, the American wine palate grew tired of Chardonnay, or so it seemed. The ABC movement — “Anything But Chardonnay” — vociferously maligned the omnipresent varietal throughout the land. More...

We all know them: People who profess they don’t like wine and would much rather have a cocktail. If only there were a way to join them in sipping a cocktail without having to give up wine in the process? Well, there is. More...

As those gardens and farmers markets showcase nature’s mid-summer bounty this month, you are likely to find an abundance of herbs ripe for the picking. More...

Summer is finally here. The lazy days and balmy nights beckon us to sit outside on the porch or deck and sip something crisp, cool and refreshing — and that doesn’t have to mean lemonade. More...

With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to celebrate the end of a long winter, the onset of the hopeful spring and the promise of longer days and warmer nights ahead. More...

If your bottle of California wine sports a label with the appellation “Central Coast,” you’ll know one thing for sure: The grapes were grown somewhere within a 90,000-acre swath. More...

It’s harvest time. The wineries are buzzing with crates of grapes pouring into the crusher-destemmers and presses. Well, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, that is. More...

February is the month in which we honor presidents (Feb. 19, to be exact), but before raising a glass to the nation’s chief executives, let’s find out what they liked to put in it. More...

Several years ago, the good folks at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., asked your humble wine writer to conduct a tasting and educational program on the wines of Campania, a region in the southwest of Italy. More...

Last year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave the state’s wine lovers a gift. That’s when the long-established (euphemism for antiquated!) liquor laws changed, allowing for direct-to-consumer shipments of wine. More...

Thanksgiving has rolled around once again. The menu is set. Heck, it’s been pretty much set since the time of the Pilgrims. The real angst associated with the annual meal — leaving aside the relatives — is what wine to serve with dinner. More...

October marks the season of the pumpkin. Coffee shops will sport pumpkin spice lattes, pubs will pour pumpkin ale, restaurants will stuff ravioli with the gourd, and pie shells will fill up with its puree. More...

Football season ramping up can mean only one thing, gastronomically speaking: tailgate food. While easy-sipping suds and craft beers often rule the day, there are plenty of reasons to pop open a bottle or two of wine to complement your football fare. More...

Blending is nothing new in the wine business. In some countries, tradition and law dictate blending protocols. For instance, the classic Bordeaux wine is a blend of five grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. More...

While serving as the nation’s first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson developed a strong affinity for French wines. More...

With summer upon us, this is a great time to explore wine country — East Coast style. More...

For more than a thousand years, the Rhône Valley in Southern France has been producing wine, including some of the country’s more notable wines, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-Rôtie. More...

If you like pizza (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), it may be time to try some new wine pairings to spice up your casual dining experience. As with most food and wine pairings, pizza is not a “one-varietal-fits-all” proposition. More...

If you ask your server or bartender for a Cabernet, there’s no mistaking, you’ll get a Cabernet Sauvignon. But there’s another Cabernet that continues to grow in popularity as a varietal, and for red wine lovers, it’s definitely worth a try. More...

If your Valentine’s Day plans include a little time at home — and a little wine — here’s a way to create a perfect pairing for your perfect pairing: Just say cheese, and you’re sure to bring a smile to your valentine’s face. More...

At one time it seemed that only characters in soap operas drank Sherry. Its utility was limited to punctuating a particularly dramatic twist. More...

Around the holidays, we often find ourselves reaching for something sweet, but there’s no reason that craving should be limited to cookies and pie. More...

You have to hand it to the French: They can make just about anything into a holiday, and on the third Thursday of every November, they do it with wine. More...

For much of its wine history — and it dates back more than 500 years — Argentina made wine mostly for itself. Until the 1990s, much of the wine produced there was consumed within its borders. More...

Tomatoes are the most popular homegrown vegetable in the country, according to the USDA. This fruit that acts as a vegetable is the prize of the home gardener, eliciting fierce pride and competitive spirit. More...

With summer in high gear, the sizzle of the grill is a friendly and welcome sound. More...

Wines are not strictly seasonal. We drink whites and reds year-round, although we might favor a bold Cabernet Sauvignon on a winter night and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc on a warm spring afternoon. More...

While all types of wine can be enjoyed year-round, Sauvignon Blanc is one varietal we often associate with warmer temperatures. More...

The undisputed state leader in producing American wines is California. More...

Napa Valley is a storied stretch of land nestled between two sets of mountains in northern California. More...

If we had to associate chocolate with a month, the hands-down favorite would be February. More...

When the temperatures plummet, we all look for ways to keep warm. The fuzzy blanket and heavy woolen ... More...

Perhaps the most time-honored wine pairing in history is the holiday season and “bubbly” — Champagne and sparkling wines. Few things are more festive than watching those bubbles ascend More...