After uncorking a bottle and enjoying the wine, probably most people throw the cork in the trash. Certainly there’s worse waste: It’s not as if there are junkyards full of corks, and since they are the bark of oak trees, they are biodegradable. But surely we can do better than simply throw them away. Here are ten ideas! Recycle! ChiBart. MORE >>

On Wednesday evening I attended a tasting of fifteen wines from Bordeaux 2005. The vintage was widely hailed as superb and pre-recession demand drove the prices into the stratosphere. Over 100 of us packed a room in a midtown hotel for the event, organized by Executive Wine Seminars. The air practically buzzed with anticipation. Pavie, St. Emilion. MORE >>

WSET IWC Diploma grads 2009. Marisa D'Vari, seated (L). so you can imagine how exciting it was to celebrate graduation from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust after nearly three years of non-stop study. Diploma and. wine glass (?). really fun evening and a great education! MORE >>

2009 Robert Hall Paso Robles Syrah ** was delightful, especially at around $20. stars 2009 Paso Robles Sonoma 2008Deep plum color, with somewhat cloying sweet notes, this wine strikes a nice balance on the palate and went well with pork chops one night, pasta the next. 2008 Cline Cellars Los Carneros Syrah 2008 was a step up. MORE >>

The Bogle Vineyards Essential Red 2009( $10 ) is a blend of Old Vines Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. I knew when I started this blog in 2008, or was at least hoping, that my very narrow wine palate was going to expand immensely and that I would or should begin to appreciate many of the wines produced in today's world. MORE >>