It was a Syrah and notable for its dry elegance and balance. And of course I love “The Welder,” Arco’s signature sweet late harvest Chenin Blanc. Arco Laamar & Harry Haddon (checked shirt). Two wineries being neighborly!”. Both seemed very effervescent and personable and passionate about South Africa and its wines. News S. MORE >>

Who wants to drink rustic and earthy northern Rhône Syrah when it's very humid and 94 degrees outside? braised short ribs ( Slope Farms , of course) with Chipotle peppers inflected liquid. remembered my friend Peter telling me a little while ago that Syrah is very flexible and can work with dishes like this. MORE >>

SInce I'm in NYC, I am so luck as I can go to my favorite Park Avenue Spring restaurant and have three vintages of Cabernet from their family cellar paired with four courses of chef Kevin Lasko's cuisine! The vines planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Look at the incredible aerial view of Marston Family Vineyard above. MORE >>

The gentlemen distributing and selling Azienda Agricola d'Alessandro got up between courses to talk about the wines and the food of this region, and were better than any Broadway show (in a good way). D'ALESSANDRO NERO D'AVOLA/SYRAH 2007. adore Sicilian wine and my crystal ball tells me that this will be the wine of the decade. MORE >>

served with pasta and ultra-fresh peas and morels, 2004 Merlot (the real winner)and the 2006 Syrah paired with Steak, and the 2008 Zinfandel served with the dessert course shown below. it's always fun to sit next to a winemaker / winery owner during a wine dinner at a top restaurant like Park Avenue Spring in New York City. MORE >>