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It’s full-on fireplace time (or just under-blanket time if you don’t have a fireplace), and that’s prime time for a lush red.  Luca Bosio Bel Colle Monvigliero Barolo: Barolo might be the perfect winter red — robust but subtle at the same time. Think earthy Piedmont mushrooms and long dinners, like the fun one I had with Luca himself. $57 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Carménère : For a lighter…

Yes, we’re getting more daylight each day, especially after Daylight Savings today! But it’s still nowhere near summer lengths, so let’s add some sparkle to our winter evenings with these great bubbles.  Domaine Carneros rosé: Always a fan, and they have these chocolate-covered caramels that are infused with their sparkling brut. The dash of Himalayan salt on top is a perfect pair for their…

It’s wine’s season to shine—here’s what to serve, what to bring, what to gift! bring the bubbles This year’s Champagne Pommery Apanage limited edition World Collection box was inspired by the Kashmir region and makes for a pretty gift (to a favorite host). But the Champagne is so good you might just want to save it all for yourself.With it’s austere and lean flavor profile, the added bonus is…

Had this excellent cocktail at Mooncloud in the Berkshires, where the drinks are only rivaled by the great 90s soundtrack. The Battle of Jalisco has: Lunazul Tequila Blanco Ginger Cordial Local Mill River Honey Fresh Lime Angostura Bitters Topped with a Fresh Marigold! Lunazul tequila is 100% Blue Weber agave, meant to be a pure representation of the agave. It’s clean, citrus, peppery—and…

It might be September, but we are still in peak pink season as far as I’m concerned! I’ll just keep this simple and share my favorites from the past month: Miraval: Consistently great watermelon and strawberry notes from Provence. ($20) This Life: The celebrity wines have calmed down lately, but Norah Jones just released a line called This Life. she co-owns Maison Wessman in the south of…

Was in Venice recently and learned about Select—described as something between bitter Campari and sweet orangey Aperol, but to me was extremely close to Campari. The slight differences: Select was created in 1920 in Venice (not Milan, where Campari is from), has 17.5% alcohol (not Campari’s 24.5%), and is a proprietary blend of 30 botanicals like juniper and rhubarb which are soaked, heated and…

Ah, this is what summer’s made for. Grab one of these IGP Méditerranée rosés from southeastern France, and then do absolutely nothing else. Brise Marine: This Brise Marine was a perfect example of the light minerality and red berry notes I love in the IGP Méditerranée rosés. $19 LEOS Cuvée Augusta: This organic rosé blends typical Grenache with Bourboulenc and Vermentino which really gives it a…

Temps are climbing, meals are getting lighter. As we get more white fish on our plates, here are a few great pairings for your glass. Olianas Vermentino: Hard to find a better summer meal than fresh white fish with lemon and Italian parsley. And it would be hard to find a better pairing than Vermentino for that. Olianas from Sardinia has all the lemon zest and white florals you…

Most people think of party wines and spritzes when they think of Prosecco. But Prosecco took on a different hue on a recent trip to explore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines, which make up about 20% of all Prosecco production and have stricter production rules. It’s a mouthful to say, but rather than lots of Italian syllables lets fill our mouths with their good bubbles. Here…

I was expecting the hyper-colorful doors, bountiful flowers pouring over balconies, and rustic beaches. But I was not expecting the incredible cocktail scene in Cartagena! In general, Cartagena had an impressive design aesthetic, with bold interiors and amazing attention to detail in shops, hotels, and restaurants. Given that, it made sense that would travel into their cocktails.  At the…

For a beautiful bubble, sip no further than Eric Taillet. These wines are total gems. Rarely is Champagne all Pinot Meunier (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir usually dominate the three-grape Champagne blend), but Pinot Meunier gives such a delicacy and beautiful pink rose notes.  I’d honestly drink all-Meunier all the time if I could find it more. Before 1992, it was the most widely planted grape in…

Winter is all about fuller reds and summer claims rosé, but what about spring? There’s an in-between time where a few grapes really satisfy.  Catarratto: White florals, lemon spritz and low acid — this might just be the most perfect spring wine. Prevalent in Sicily and a grapefriend fave for aperitivo, try the refreshing Donnafugata Anthìlia, $19.95. Viognier: This grape has really spread out…

OK, be brave, there are only a few weeks left of this bad winter. We’ve got the grapes that’ll keep you cozy if the temps drop again, and a few hopeful sips for those signs of life that are just starting to sprout. rioja  I had this Faustino Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, at a paella cooking class and it was an excellent pairing. It’s made from Tempranillo grapes from their best vineyards, and is…