Mike McVittie

ABC is wine speak for “anything but chardonnay.” It’s a sort of backlash against the mind-numbing sameness of commercialized chardonnay. Don’t get me wrong, chardonnay is classic — but leave it to America to overdo it. Egads! It’s everywhere, but there’s hope. There are four basic whites that everyone knows: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling and … Continue reading This summer, think ABC (or, anything but chardonnay)

The advantages of boxed wine are pretty obvious -- convenience and ease of use. No corkscrews needed, no glass bottles to recycle and the price per ounce is great. It also helps that boxed wine quality is increasing.

Rosés and roses are both a good bet for Valentine’s Day gifting.

Very dark, this wine is rich and fat on the palate.

From prosecco to Champagne and even sparkling shiraz, there's a world of bubblies to choose from.

The virtues of the highly touted 2012 vintage are starting to bear fruit. The King Estate Acrobat Pinot Noir from Oregon is not just good, it’s strikingly good!

The 2013 Biutiful Malbec is rich and robust.

Sometimes it's fun to drink outside the box. Take, for instance, a merlot from the Ardeche in France. It is oh-so-tasty, with lots of color, depth, silky black fruit, wood, herb, a dollop of tannin and a most charming personality.

Valentine's Day and rosés are made for each other. Now, we're talking wine here, not flowers. Don't get me wrong -- flowers are a good thing and they will definitely help you in the romance department. But why not jazz it up with a beautiful, copper-hued bottle of rosé?

The Sebastiani family mantra is to over-deliver. They believe that wine can be delicious and yet within reach.

No need to break the bank for New Year's bubbles. Here are some sparkling alternatives to champagne, available in town for about $18 to $25. Pour freely as your guests arrive and watch the smiles bloom.

Sometimes what's needed is a simple glass of white wine to make the meal a special oasis in the busy day.

The Forefront 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is a great Cabernet at a great price

Chateau St Jean has been renowned for chardonnay since its inception. Early on they developed vineyard designated wines, practically unheard of back then. Their white wine leadership continues today.

Bob and Lauren Bullock are chasing their dream, a family-owned, dirt to bottle, artisanal-quality winery called Haystack Needle.