Bubbly wine gives me the chills. Not bad chills, but the excited kind of ohmigawd-I’m-so-freakin’-excited chills. Anticipating the heady cork pop, I know I’m in for at least some tongue-zinging fun, and the follow-up fizz has a childish snap and crackle reminiscent of earlier years. ... Read More »

Although I try so hard to shun the consumerist flimflam that Christmas has morphed into, I secretly get giddy when a package looking suspiciously like a wine bottle shows up under the tree. It’s even better when, upon opening, it’s evident the giver carefully considered the bottle before ... Read More »

Unless you’re hankering for a hangover, wine just isn’t a guzzling drink. There’s a reason people on the street swilling Mad Dog tend to look a bit raggedy — because too much of one good thing (or bad thing, in the MD case) is really just too much. But if

Foreigners often say Americans are rife with arrogant superiority. Although certain nameless politicians might believe we actually reign supreme, we definitely have competition in the wine arena. We’ve continually expanded our wine production, stretching to promising appellations such as Texas, ... Read More »

With the hundreds of Australian and New Zealand wine choices staring at you, it’s hard, without your own portable wine expert, to know which awesome deal to grab. These guys produce the most flavorful, approachable juice for the money, and limiting yourself to only one inviting bottle per night ... Read More »

Grapes are a finicky bunch. Unlike tomatoes, which seem happy just to be rooted in the ground, grapes demand meticulous care and constant upkeep. Continuing the series that began last week, this column explores specific California appellations, a fancy term that tells you where grapes grow. Appellations, ... Read More »

Have you ever had a plant die and wonder what went wrong? You feed it, water it and talk to it consistently yet it dies anyway. It’s one of life’s mysteries for me. “New World” grape growers from California, Australia and Chile, whose livelihoods hinge on finding the perfect ... Read More »

After a particularly crappy day, treating yourself to something special helps erase the to-do list in your mind. Relaxing your body, mind and spirit winds you down so you can relax on the couch without feeling guilty. For me, a massage treats the body; a long bubble bath eases the

In America’s never ending search for the elusive anti-age goop, there’s good news for those willing to raise a glass. Recently, a Harvard Medical School study announced another benefit associated with drinking red wine: It extends life. OK, so far the treatment only works in microscopic ... Read More »

In case you’re out of touch with your TV, radio or newspaper, France is rather heated these days, and not just emotionally at the U.S. An extended heat wave has the normally cool French sweating, and the grapes in their most prized vineyards maturing unusually early. Temperatures have soared ... Read More »