Recently I had the privelege of hosting an informal wine tasting for a friend raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I chose as the theme for the evening to explore the difference between old world and new world wine styles. It was a raucous affair, with lively debates ensuing as people's palates were evenly divided between the old and the new, the earthy and the fruity, the restrained and the bomby. I highly recommend recreating this little exercise on your own, and maybe even ...

While reading Harvey Steiman's great article in this month's Wine Spectator on pairing wine with chocolate, I was reminded of a recent palate shattering discovery:

I had chosen for my Third Thirsty Thursday tasting in October to focus entirely on sparkling wines, but beyond one example from Champagne, I wanted to really explore all the possibilities and surprise some people. I figured a Moscato d'Asti would start us off right, then, to satisfy the masses, a brief line-up of traditional method ...

Although many people these days like to bash the Napa Valley for being the Disney World of wine regions - overblown, overpriced and overcrowded - I never pass up the chance to visit the place where I truly learned to appreciate wine. Especially on a day, like last Saturday, when I have the privilege of exposing two Napa-virgins - my sister Meg and friend Michael - to the birthplace of the modern American wine industry.

Like anyone, I have my favorite spots in the valley - some off the beaten ...

My second trip to the Santa Barbara County wine country came in early January of this year. My friend Jon Conway - in town from New York and making the most of his off-season from Major League Soccer - and I ventured out to the Santa Rita Hills in search of the most elusive thing in the wine world: truly great pinot noir. What we did find may surprise you.

Why think about that when all the golden land's ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you ...