What Price Glory?

First growth Bordeaux from the 2009 vintage is expected to sell for $900.00 a bottle. This begs the question: What is the most money you should pay for a bottle of wine? A poll of thirty wine professionals addresses this question. Click here to see more.

Half the bottle, yet twice the fun.

Years ago, at the peak of my wine buying and cellar building phase, I made the decision to purchase as many half bottles as possible. Half bottles allow for flexibility in food pairing and eliminate re-corking and gambling that a opened bottle may go bad. Click here to see more.

The White Boy Declares: There is a Cure for the Summertime Blues

Many people out there drink red wine almost exclusively. I’m not criticizing red wine lovers, but I am inviting them to take a walk on the white side. I said: Hey babe, take a walk on the white side. Click here to see more.

Wine Reviews are a Numbers Racket

Numbers can be so boring! In order to make wine scores more interesting, they should be treated in the same manner as sporting events. For example: In the Russian River conference, Merry Edwards poured in ten points in the final barrel samples to tame Williams Selyem 92 to 91. Click here to see more.

How Many Wine Pros Can Fit in a Volkswagen?

Wine trade tastings are crowded and chaotic. The Charles Smith tasting at NYC's wine bar Terroir might as well have taken place in a subway car. The wines were o.k., but a guest's six inch red stilettos was the real highlight for me. Click here to see more.

Sister Mary Vinifera Explains It All

"I believe that much of the carpentry work Jesus did early in his life involved barrel making. I have pictures of him cutting what appear to be staves. – Yes, Jesus staves!” Click here to see more.

Robert Parker Meets 'Spinal Tap' -- 2009 Bordeaux goes to 11

So here we are, just one-tenth into the new century and, according to Robert Parker, we are witnessing the two greatest Bordeaux vintages ever. How is that possible? Is 2005 a "10" but 2009 goes to "11?" Click here to see more.

Is That All There Is?

A touch of Peggy Lee cynicism is a healthy perspective when it comes to many overpriced and over-hyped wines. Click here to see more.

The Wine Tribunal Reconvenes to Prosecute Marvin Shanken

The Wine Spectator put a $3,500.00 bottle of wine on its cover and devotes 18 pages to wines most of us will never taste. Their advice: "splurge on a bottle of DRC! --There are plenty of worse ways to spend a few hundred dollars.” This is clearly a case for the Wine Tribunal. Click here to see more.

Praise Riesling!

From the pulpit, I seek praises and Halleluiahs for the greatest white wine story ever told. The sermon ends with ten reasons why you should love Riesling. Click here to see more.

I Love To Turn You On

Most wine fanatics are generous. There seems to be an “oral tradition” in play. Advanced wine lovers owe their experience to other wine lovers and the tradition of sharing must carry on. Click here to see more.

A Wine Tribunal for Lettie Teague

Dear Lettie Teague, your wine writing intrigues and infuriates me. Please wash those wine snobs out of your wildly curly hair. Consider this plea an attempt at intervention. Click here to see more.

It's Cocktail Time Aboard QE2!

The author traces the roots of his passion with food and wine to his days aboard the great ocean liner QE2. Click here to see more.

A Dozen Bits of Advice for Burgeoning Wine Lovers

From the holding of a wine glass to why so many wine lovers are Renaissance people, twelve subjects written for the newly passionate wine aficionado. Click here to see more.

Magnum Force: Go ahead and make my night... and life

It was was billed as "Big Bottle Night."-- A first day of spring celebration where every wine was poured from a magnum. As great as the wines were, it was the spirit of friendship that tasted the sweetest. Click here to see more.

There Must Be 50 Ways To Love Your Cellar

Warning: before reading this, listen to Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." What can I say? Good wine makes me want to sing. Click here to see more.

Wine Women… and song – no, make that Sauvignon

The world of wine may appear to be a boys club, but nothing could be further from the truth. As wine drinkers: Women Rule! Click here to see more.

Died and Gone to Wine Heaven: A Night at Bern's Steakhouse

The wine list of Bern's Steakhouse more than any other, captures the spirit of the Michelin three star designation --For wine passionate people, it is truly: "Worth a special journey." Click here to see more.

Restaurant Wining and Dining and… Whining? Part One

Wine is an important component of a great dining experience and often either the patron or the restaurant experiences frustration with service and policies involving wine. Part One addresses issues from the restaurant perspective. Click here to see more.

Restaurant Wining and Dining and… Whining? Part Two

Part Two discusses restaurant wine service and policies with the consumer's perspective in mind. No one should drink wine from a bottle opened four days ago or pay $100.00 for a bottle and then have to drink it from glass so thick it belongs in a bowling alley bar. Click here to see more.

To Think: Mother Taught Me Spitting Was Impolite

In explaining how we select the wines and spirits we sell; I've come to the realization that essentially, I get paid to spit wine into a bucket. Click here to see more.

Looking for closure: Cork-- No Longer the King of Pop

The cork controversy: Why the wine industry is changing the way you open your bottle. Click here to see more.