The Haitian earthquake of last year sparked him to hold several fundraiser tastings for the nonprofit Partners In Health , which fights disease in impoverished countries and areas around the world. Wine importer lost his three-year battle against brain cancer last month. The nonprofit spends an impressive 94.3% Grapes The Wine Co., MORE >>

Coca-Cola has been sued over the health claims of vitaminwater. Tags: tasting sized pours SPIT: “imbibing idiot bias&#. Job applicants who partake in alcoholic drinks are perceived as less intelligent and hireable according to a new academic study, dubbing the phenomenon an “imbibing idiot bias.&# Reuters ]. SPIT: clarity. MORE >>

Chocolate milk, of all drinks, tries to muscle red wine out of the health news headlines: According to recent research as reported in the NYT , “flavanoid-rich cocoa&# found in chocolate milk appears more effective at reducing inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis than regular milk! SIPPED: the hard question; SPIT: advertorial. MORE >>

She even goes to far as to wonder if the word “balance&# is “actually a code to keep out wines that they don’t like or styles that don’t fit their personal taste.&# “Alcohol delivers flavors.&#. What does she mean by “alcohol delivers flavors&# ? But is that really true? would think not. So what? MORE >>

–articles extolling the gustatory and health virtues of sauerkraut (sauerkraut!). But does it taste any good? I finally got around to reading the food issue (Nov 22) of the New Yorker, and was amazed to find not one but two–two!–articles went to my local farmers’ market and bought a pint from a vendor. MORE >>