Grapes and soul under the cork
Do you ever wonder why some high achievers would still be high achievers if their chosen direction was no longer an option? How a…
Finding the fun in the work of a wine columnist
My long marriage ended in divorce, which was more or less finalized a year ago. Most people we knew or met thought us to…
A hearty welcome to unusual food and wine pairings
One of the most wonderful rituals found in virtually all cultures is the household welcome. Around the world, when a guest is invited into…
The world in a wine glass
A lifetime ago, or so it seems, I tended bar at the White Elephant, an iconic resort hotel on the island of Nantucket. This…
The days of wine (Rosé) and roses
Several years ago, I was asked to pick some wines for a New Year’s celebration. I picked out some delicious dinner wines and a…
Château Mouton Rothschild
So, what’s in a label, specifically a wine label that tempts a shopper to pick it up off its shelf, read a bit from…
To decant or not to decant? That is the question
To decant or not to decant is always the question. And there are no hard lines drawn. There are those who believe every bottle…
Waiting to inhale – Cognac and thou for Valentine’s Day
Well, it’s February again. The air is cold, snow is on the ground, Valentine’s Day is on people’s minds and all the wine stories…
A vintage trail
So you want to be a wine writer. I’ve written before that if you love wine, there is no better time to be alive…
Make mine Champagne
In my world, little else compares to the pop of a bottle of sparkling wine being opened. In one glorious pop, or more properly,…
Bacchus comes of age
If you’re a lover of wine, there has never been a better time to be alive than right now. When I was just learning…
Down to the sea with Scotch
When James Henderson began making whisky in Wick, Scotland in 1826, his was the northernmost distillery in that nation and there was not a…
Sweet and Low
Daniel Low, general manager and sommelier at Hudson Grille on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, was one of eight influential somms across the country…
Savez-vous Carcassonne?
So where will you take the family on the next vacation? There are vacations such as cruises or Club Med that boast relaxation and…
The house of the spirit
In the beautiful and bucolic setting that is Kentucky, where horses and history abound, where people address you as “sir” or “ma’am” and really…
Ready to gallop
Andrew and Kathleen Tow have a passion for wine and a passion for horses. “My wife loves, loves, loves, loves horses,” Andrew says. She…
The benefits of wine for mind and body
Wine is a magical, mystical elixir, a panacea that can help shape a lifestyle and promote health. When consumed responsibly and in moderation, wine…
A wine adventure for two
February. Valentine’s Day. Recognizing your lover with some extra attention, some gifts and some romance for a day. It seems woefully inadequate that in…