Writing on Slate.com , Sara Dickerman wonders why fruitcake remains so unpopular. She points out that it’s rare among cakes to be aged (intentionally), aided by boozy fortification. And then she throws down the oven mitt with this challenge: They are heavy, indeed, but that is OK: Fruitcake looks best in thinly sliced cross sections. MORE >>

Many of the wine people I know share seem to share this generous spirit regarding even the finest and rarest of wines. party of 15 people? Sure, crack open the magnum of 1995 Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano. Stopping by for a quick bite on a random Monday night? Pop open the Selosse. When is the absolute perfect time to open this bottle? MORE >>

Sparkling white: Riondo Prosecco Italy ".with with delicous fragrances of orange blossoms, apricots and ripe peaches", to accompany shrimp appetizers. White: Urban Uco Torrontés 2009 Argentina $10 ".fragrant fragrant and snappy, the first whiff just put a big smile on my face", try this with linguine with clam sauce. MORE >>

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili. MORE >>

Barefoot Sparkling Wines. Just in time for the holidays, affordable (around $10) sparkling wines! Barefoot bubbly has won several Gold Medal awards, and is very cutely packaged with the familiar "bare footprint" right on the bottle. popped the cork for a pre-xmas office party, and the crowd devoured the Moscoto sparkler before I could taste. MORE >>