Oderro, a big producer of Barolos in La Morra, Piemonte, Italy, shows floral aromas contrasting savory smoked bacon and delicious violet accents on the palate, blue fruits, cherry vanilla and a long finish. Paired well with appetizer of fresh tomatoes with basilico and Burrata at Zampa Winebar & Kitchen at 306 West 13th street in West Village. MORE >>

This Cabernet is super soft and very fruit forward with aromas of ripe red fruits, blackberry and forest floor, paired with a palate of berry flavors, chocolate, bing cherry, and a touch of oak. Rounding out with silky tannins, nice texture, and a ripe finish with good length, this Cab is especially food friendly. MORE >>

photo above by Alan Watts from Eat Italian Last week Ilaria Petitto from Donna Chiara Winery guided us through an evening of tastings from the Campania region of Italy at Il Gattopardo , a fantastic Campanian restaurant in NYC owned by the legendary Gianfranco Sorrentino. Both paired with parmigiano di zucchini con provola e salsa al pomodoro. MORE >>

To me, sometimes fruit is a better thirst quencher than a simple glass of water. And the Macari Rose 2010 from Long Island's North Fork is a case in point. The wonderful wet aromas of a freshly cut watermelon. luscious ripe strawberries picked this morning. And ending happily with a smooth and long finish. The blend by the way is 70.7% merlot, 14.5% MORE >>

This week I attended Food Fete's Oregon Food and Beverage Show and was impressed with the diversity of quality that can be found coming from that bountiful state. His truffle oils are produced naturally and either Jack or Chris picks every truffle that appears on a customers’ plate. Here’s a mini lesson in truffles. MORE >>