Tujague's 1894 FROM THE WIRES... In 2026, Tujague’s in New Orleans’ French Quarter marks 170 years of operation. I plan a visit! The special menu looks like a piece of history! Founded in 1856, it is one of the longest-running dining institutions in the United States . Tujague's First Floor Dining Room Beyond longevity, what makes Tujague’s compelling from a culinary perspective is how its Creole cooking has been sustained through consistency rather than reinvention. Preser

FROM THE WIRES... Beringer Vineyards Celebrates its 150 th Anniversary with Calendar of Festivities St. Helena, CA—February 25, 2026— Beringer Vineyards, California’s longest continuously operating winery, marks its 150 th year with a calendar of immersive experiences, seasonal festivities, and participation in marquee wine events across the country. Founded in 1876 by brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, the St. Helena, CA, estate pioneered gravity fed winemaking, was am

FROM THE WIRES... Move beyond your expectations of easy drinking Portuguese wine with Dow’s Vale do Bomfim White 2024 and Dow’s Vale do Bomfim Red 2023 (SRP $15). Crafted in Portugal’s renowned Douro Valley, these vibrant table wines from Symington Family Estates offer more than just remarkable value—they tell the story of a family deeply committed to protecting their land. In the heart of the Douro—where steep terraces trace the winding river and generations of growers

by Andrew Chalk Napa Valley is firmly established as one of the world’s leading regions for Cabernet Sauvignon. Every vintage, dozens of producers collect accolades and medals that reaffirm that status. The valley also commands global respect for Chardonnay, particularly from cooler subregions such as Carneros. Elevating another grape to comparable recognition would be a formidable task amid the constant noise of global wine commentary. Doubly so if the grape is Merlot—a vari

FROM THE WIRES... ZEBULON, NC (MARCH 10, 2026) – Next Century Spirits and Gabriel Iglesias, one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians, announce the launch of Pocho Fino Tequila , a Mexican-American tequila authentically crafted with heritage in every drop and family in every toast. Refined enough to sip neat, yet real enough to pair with tacos at 2AM, Pocho Fino is made for nights that don’t end when the clock says they should. The portfolio launches with a smooth

FROM THE WIRES... Since 2016, Rootstock has been the premier annual celebration of the finest wines being grown in the lone star state. This year, every Texas wine at the festival will be made from grapevines native to France! In keeping with our French theme, you'll be treated to excellent chefs serving authentic cheeses, breads, crepes, lobster rolls, and more. We're also launching an educational session for those who want to compare French wines and their Texan counterpart

Early Bird Tickets ON SALE NOW! The festival everyone’s still talking about is COMING BACK — bigger, bolder, and better than ever, with a NEW VIP experience. Saturday, May 30th from 10 am - 8 pmthe Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, TX What’s pouring in 2026: 40+ award-winning North Texas wines to taste BRAND NEW VIP EXPERIENCE — exclusive lounge, catered bites & bonus pours (VIP is NEW this year!) Live jazz music Local shopping + artisan vendors Stunning floral installati

Video here... FROM THE WIRES... Wente Family Vineyards Launches National Social Media Internship Competition The 143-Year-Old Legacy is Handing Over the Mic LIVERMORE VALLEY, Calif. (March 5, 2026) – Wente Family Vineyards , America’s longest continuously operated family-owned winery, announced today the launch of its first-ever Social Media Internship Competition . In a bold move to bridge heritage with the modern zeitgeist, the 5th generation of the Wente family is search

by Andrew Chalk Actually, this is an unofficial attempt to use the Frequent Miler (FM) method to get what they call their “first year value” of the Bilt Palladium Card . We find that the first year value is $3,149, exceeding even the value of the former leader, the American Express Platinum Card, at $2,630. However, redeeming every bit of this value requires a spend of roughly $35,788 during the year in order to generate enough of the internal currency known as Bilt Cash (he

Tortilla Soup, by Dean Fearing. The dish includes smoked chicken, jalapeño, cilantro cream, grated white sharp cheddar, cabbage, radish, avocado, and tortilla chips. by Andrew Chalk According to CultureMap , the father of the New Southwestern Cuisine is Stephan Pyles. I would be the first to praise Stephan’s leading role, but I don’t think even he would claim to be its “father”. CultureMap writer Celestina Blok should have checked her facts, as even a cursory Google search

With the arrival of sparkling wine in the state we can now celebrate this success by Andrew Chalk Jonathan Cristaldi, USA wine correspondent for Decanter magazine, began his own blog this year and just released his list of Top 100 Wines of 2025 . Be aware that the list excludes Napa, where Decanter Magazine has first claim on his writing, but represents everything else: California, Oregon. Washington, Virginia, New York, elsewhere, and Texas! To put the results in context, he

Photo: Instagram. Bilt, or Bilked? Komodo Dallas at The Epic Falls Flat One of the advertised perks of the Bilt credit card is access to cardholder-only dining events. In January, I signed up for my first: a three-course prix fixe dinner at Komodo, the Miami-born Asian fusion concept now operating in Deep Ellum. It will also be my last. Would I return to Komodo? No. Would I sign up for another Bilt “exclusive” at a restaurant I hadn’t already visited? Absolutely not. Arrival:

Domäne Wachau Comes to Dallas by Andrew Chalk Austria continues to fly under the global wine radar — particularly in the United States. In sheer volume, the country produces barely a quarter of what California giant Gallo sells annually. Its focus is not scale but specialization: Grüner Veltliner accounts for roughly one-third of vineyard plantings, Riesling about five percent, and Zweigelt around thirteen percent. Together, these three grapes represent half of Austria’s tota

FROM THE WIRES... As mindful drinking continues to shape how we reach for a glass of wine, many consumers are embracing a dry-ish January – a more balanced approach that favors moderation without giving up the pleasure of a beautifully made wine. Brancott Estate Flight Song wines (SRP $14) has launched a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio at 9%ABV, created precisely for this moment. From the pioneers who introduced Marlborough’s first Sauvignon Blanc to the world from New Ze

FROM THE WIRES... With “Heated Rivalry” dominating the conversation right now, Tequila Corralejo is tapping into that energy with their own The Heated Margarita - a cocktail built around a rivalry of its own: fruit versus spice. Juicy pomegranate brings richness and depth, while fresh jalapeño adds a slow-building heat, creating a balanced drink where sweet and spice push against each other, sip by sip. Made with Tequila Corralejo Reposado, the cocktail is grounded

FROM THE WIRES... A limited-edition Knob Creek ® Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, hand-selected by football legend Eli Manning, arrives nationwide in time for the season's biggest games CLERMONT, Ky., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the 2025-2026 football season reaches its pinnacle, Knob Creek ® , the founding spirit of the James B. Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection™ and a leader in American Whiskey, announces its second limited-edition barrel release, Knob Creek ®

FROM THE WIRES...

Lager's Next Big Tsing! FROM THE WIRES White Plains, NY (April 29th, 2025) -- Tsingtao, the #1 Chinese imported beer in the U.S., is excited to announce the launch of its Premium Lager in a new 24oz can, offering beer lovers an enhanced way to enjoy their favorite brew. The new, larger can delivers the same crisp, refreshing taste that fans love, now in a size perfect for a variety of occasions where you want more volume and convenience. Designed to maintain the distinctive T

FROM THE WIRES... As autumn deepens and the holiday season approaches, Quinta da Fonte Souto offers wines that beautifully bridge the two seasons, bringing freshness and warmth, elegance and depth. This exquisite Symington Family Estate property is THE renowned Port producer's first vineyard outside of Portugal’s famed Douro region. Nestled high in southern Portugal's Serra de São Mamede mountain range in Portalegre, an Alentejo sub-region, Quinta da Fonte Souto is celebrate

FROM THE WIRES... The signature weekend features exclusive winery access, intimate tastings, and a Taste of the Neighborhood highlighting a selection of Yountville’s acclaimed restaurants. Stags Leap District, Napa, CA, January 15, 2026 – Each spring, the Stags Leap District Winegrowers welcomes guests for one of Napa Valley’s most sought-after wine weekends. Returning April 24–26, 2026, Vineyard to Vintner invites wine enthusiasts to experience the renowned American Viticult

FROM THE WIRES... SPRING MOUNTAIN VINEYARD CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS, UNVEILING NEW EXPERIENCES AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE APPELLATION St. Helena, Calif. – November 12, 2025 – As the wine world prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the pivotal 1976 Judgment of Paris, Spring Mountain Vineyard , one of the seven legendary Napa Valley wineries that participated in the historic blind tasting, is thrilled to announce a year-long celebr

By Andrew Chalk When the venerated Michelin Guide arrived in Texas in 2024, it marked the beginning of a three-year "pay-for-play" partnership between Travel Texas, five major cities, and the world’s most prestigious culinary arbiter. The $2.7 million investment was designed to cast a global spotlight on the Lone Star State’s evolving food scene. Two years in, the data suggests the state has received an exceptional return on investment. As we enter the final year of the initi

FROM THE WIRES... Highlights include returning Festival favorites and the world premiere of The Judgment of Paris , a new opera by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer Multiday Patron Passes Now on Sale Napa, California (December 16, 2025) – Festival Napa Valley celebrates its 20th anniversary July 4–19, 2026, with a lineup featuring international stars and emerging talent. Passes for the Patron Experience, available now for July 10–19, offer access to renowned wineries, luxury res

by Andrew Chalk A lot of good pinot noir is coming out of California but this one is exceptional. 2023 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyards Roberts Road ($74) Notes from the producer: Vineyard & Winemaking: The Sangiacomo family has been a trusted partner for years, farming their Roberts Road Vineyard in the windswept Petaluma Gap with incredible precision. The region’s persistent wind thickens grape skins, bringing extra color and flavor intensity to Pinot Noir. We co-fermente