Dark and bitter, but with a surprising hit of sweetness rising from the depths? Now this is a beer crafted specifically for the dog-days of winter. More

Having people over for dinner entails more than just providing a meal and somewhere to eat it. It's a whole experience, from the invite to the last goodbye at the door. A subtle but important consideration is setting the overall tone for the evening and nothing does that like the pre-dinner beverage. These days I'm a fan of offering a simple aperitif before dinner which strikes a nice balance between simplicity and elegance.

So, what is an aperitif and how does it differ from a cocktail? More

I am sure most of you have heard someone describe a wine as tannic. What exactly does this mean? What does tannin feel and taste like? Well, if you have ever had a cup of very strong black tea then you have definitely tasted tannin.

Tannin in wine is a textural sensation. Something we feel rather than taste. Tannin gives a wine form and grip. It is a structural element that helps frame a wine. More

Valentine's day is just around the corner, and if you have a special someone in your life (or even if you don't), you may want to make a few drinks. These gin and tonic variations are labeled 'his' and 'hers', but don't let yourself be limited. I enjoy a nice manly cocktail every now and then - and the pretty pink 'hers' variation is so delicious that men might find themselves reaching for it by the end of the night. More

Budget Wine: 2010 Burgáns Albariño
Region: Rías Baixas, Spain
Average Price: $13

I love Albariño. I have recommended this wine before, but it is such a great value, versatile wine, and we so enjoyed this Burgáns last night with dinner, that I needed to give it a shout out again.

The Albariño grape comes from Rías Baixas, the beautiful, rugged, northwestern coastal region of Galicia in Spain. Albariño wines have become very popular in the United States. Why? Firstly they are delicious and incredibly versatile at the table. They are also perfect for sipping as an apéritif. More

Last month I had the pleasure of spending two days with my friend and colleague Faith Durand at her home in Columbus, Ohio. I landed in Columbus at the beginning of what would end up being one of the coldest weekends of the season thus far, and as I waited for Faith outside the airport terminal, the snow was just beginning to fall. More

Currently, bitter flavors are enjoying a bit of a moment on the American cocktail scene. And it may be more than just a moment — all across the country, bartenders at some of the most elite bars are creating drinks to cater to this oft-ignored side of the palate. Europeans were one step ahead of us on this — long before Fernet Branca took San Francisco by storm, Italians had been enjoying, in the leisurely hours after dinner, a bitter liqueur they call 'amaro'. More

Milk, dark, bittersweet — from desserts to cake to handcrafted bites, what are the best wines to pair with this wonderful food of love — chocolate? Read to discover some wines to pour with your favorite kind of chocolate this weekend. More

From our recent posts, we know that many of you love masala chai as much as we do. Here's another aromatic, spiced beverage to try. Indonesian bandrek doesn't contain tea, but it features many of the same ingredients, such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Simmer a pot of this on the stove, and your house will smell amazing. (It's also an excellent sore throat soother!) More

Coffee and tea have gotten a bad rap for heart health, and it turns out it may be unjustified, according to a recent article in The Atlantic. Studies suggest that two cups of filtered coffee every day have a negligible effect on blood pressure and cholesterol... More