It’s Champagne season—a line you might think indicates that this article is being published two weeks too late. And sure, sparkling wines usually are reserved for toasting at Christmas and New Year’s. Once those holidays have passed, most people believe the season for them is over. For me, it’s just beginning, and it lasts all…
Why You Should Visit Wine Country Right Now
By any measure, Ezra Pound was a controversial figure, but it was one of his poems that joined forces with the current inclement weather as I hunkered down in my den to suggest you spend this cold period visiting a wine country area. That poem, sanitized here (this is a family publication, after all), is…
The Thickest Hot Cocoa
I’ve perfected hot cocoa. I’ve created the cup that I always wanted, but nobody else could give me. All of my life, the cocoa has been too thin and runny—too much like liquid, and I didn’t want liquid. I wanted a dense chocolate cloud in which to lose my sense of direction. To my great…
7 Tips for Better Wine Choices in 2022—For Both Good Taste and Health
I’m not very good at making New Year’s resolutions. Correction: I’m very good at making New Year’s resolutions, but not very good at keeping them. But as I got to thinking about what our lives would be like in regard to our wine choices in 2022, I realized that there are a few tips that…
Champagne Cocktails for a Crowd
My take on the French 75 swaps the gin and lemon juice with vodka and lime, topped with Champagne and soda water for more bubbles. Serves 8 1 cup vodka 8 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 cup soda water 1 750ml bottle Champagne, cava, or prosecco In a pitcher half-filled with ice, stir in the…
Spread Cheer Into the New Year With Homemade Wassail
You’ve undoubtedly heard the “Wassail Song,” or “Here We Come A-wassailing,” which seems to be on replay throughout all of December. “Love and joy come to you, / And to you your wassail too,” begins the refrain. With verses that celebrate food, drink, generosity, and merriment, it’s a cheerful tune intended to bring blessings to…
The Many Faces of Sauvignon Blanc
Those involved in a close liaison with wine for decades make lots of demands on the wines we’re happiest to consume. Just because a wine is tasty is no reason to get excited about it, I believe, if it fails one crucial test: It doesn’t smell sort of like the grape listed on the front…
On the Trail of Burton Ale
Burton-upon-Trent has a long history of brewing. The town, a tad over 100 miles northwest of London, once dominated the beer business, counting more than 30 breweries in the late 19th century, including Bass Brewery, which became the largest brewery in the world in 1877. Burton’s brewing history goes back to its namesake abbey in…
Pop the Cork! 5 Sparkling Wines for Your Holiday Celebrations
The holidays are about spending time with friends and family. Toasts will be made, which calls for something bubbly. To make shopping easy, we’ve created a list of sparkling spirits to cover every occasion and every guest. Just Dance—and Toast Dom Perignon Vintage 2010 Lady Gaga Limited Edition $239.99 The extraordinary pairing of Dom Perignon…
Missing Wines—and How to Find Them
Winemakers often are creative people who are happiest when they can experiment to see if they can improve on tradition. Such activities, as noble and as fascinating as they are, often lead to projects that are simply not commercial. This is where wine marketing people come into play. They are typically ultra-conservative types, so-called bean…
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