This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, shows big fruit flavors of apple, pear, peach, pineapple, rich butter pecan ice cream, a little oak, and honey on the roof of the mouth. MORE >>

In the way that the general wine drinking public under-values Loire red wines, I think that us Loire lovers under-value the wines of Domaine Filliatreau. In Saumur-Chamigny, it's easy to pay attention to the great wines of Clos Rougeard and to ignore everyone else. The wines deliciously express terroir and are modestly priced. This is great wine! MORE >>

Vineyards have their pests: consider the baboons , rattlesnakes and bears we have discussed before as well as birds, deer and other vermin. But the latest threat is a human one: roving bandits. Across three countries in recent weeks, grapes have been illicitly picked off the vines. Are these incidents related? Really? MORE >>

SIPPED: wine on tap. Last week, New York magazine called self-serve wine tanks brilliant and highbrow. This week, their restaurant critics round-up the bourgeoning offerings of wine on tap. Fun as taps can be, let’s hope the cost savings are passed on to diners! NY mag ]. SIPPED: in vino, Veritas? SIPPED: one for the road. myfoxhouston.com ]. MORE >>

Three hundred people a week are injured in “ glassings &# in British pubs. The rate is so high that doctors have recommended substituting plastic tumblers for all glasses. In two test cities where the switch has been put in place, the incident rate has declined sharply. What would happen if guns were allowed in bars and restaurants? MORE >>