Write drunk; edit sober: The sazerac
It's all booze so it packs a punch, but the bitters and absinthe round it out and give it more atmosphere. Read More
Chardonnay: All is not lost
Wine makers have certainly not forsaken the grape, though it is now hugely outnumbered on the shelves by pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. Read More
Write drunk; edit sober: The Manhattan
There are endless accounts of how the Manhattan, Martini, Sazerac and Old Fashioned came to be, but the Manhattan has one of the most disputed back stories. Read More
A shiraz like a Beach Boys song
It may be uncool, but, dammit, you have just got to start singing the chorus when you hear that tune again. Read More
The je ne sais quoi of French white wines
The variety of wine from there is like nowhere on earth, compounded by the fact that the French are masters of blending varietals into something completely different. Read More
A primer on pinot noir
In case you had to spend time in a religious retreat or something, pinot noir is now everywhere. Read More
Fine pleasures
The Prairies produce 65 per cent or more of the world's mustard, so the province and growers take the stuff quite seriously. As it happens, so do I.
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The road to the love is paved with chocolate and alcohol
I forgot today was Valentine's Day!!! I can't get a dinner reservation and the roses are sold out. You're my last hope. Help! Read More
Merlot: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Having drunk enough chardonnay to float the Love Boat, by the end of the ’80s drinkers were ready to branch out. Fruity, fun, and easier… Read More
Time to start drinking California chardonnays again
Remember 1980? Bars started to sport radical innovations like windows and food more ambitious than scotch eggs. The drink of choice was either a spritzer… Read More
In the beginning, there was New Zealand sauvignon blanc
If you want to understand modern wine, why we drink what we do, why sundry journals and writers laud or criticize some drinks, a good place to start is New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Read More
In praise of ripasso
The real truth is, if you see 'ripasso' written anywhere on the label you should buy the wine. Read More
White wines and clam linguine: A recipe and pairing
Every year right about now, I realize two things: I spent and ate too much over the last couple of weeks. Read More
The glory and unbelievable bargain of Spanish wines
Go to that section and start drinking. Read More
Carménère: The anti-pinot noir
This is an unabashedly robust wine that has no intention of not being noticed. Read More
Modern stemware and pushup bras
Before you spend a zillion dollars on wine glasses there's something you need to know: Modern stemware is the equivalent of a pushup bra. Read More