FROM THE WIRES... Rombauer 2024 Carneros Chardonnay ( SRP $42 ): Balanced and lively, Rombauer’s Chardonnay is the benchmark for a classic California Chardonnay.  The ripe yellow peach and chamomile aromas combined with the nectarine flavors create a lovely finish, so it’s no wonder this wine makes for the perfect gift for anyone on your reader’s list. Sample.

FROM THE WIRES... Polenta Toast at Birdy’s Behind The Bower With soft-shell crab in season through late November, Birdy’s is offering a polenta-based “toast” topped with Abita-beer battered soft-shell crabs, cotija cheese and hot sauce. Address: 1320 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 Website: www.birdysnola.com

FROM THE WIRES... This season, apples are taking over (from TikTok feeds to fall farmers’ markets) and Tequila Corralejo  is bringing the trend to life in a spirited way with their Apple Cider Margarita .   Perfect for cozy nights in, Friendsgiving spreads, or holiday entertaining, this festive cocktail pairs the crisp sweetness of apple cider with Tequila Corralejo Reposado, finished with citrus and spice.   Apple Cider Margarita Recipe   1.5 oz Tequila Corralejo Reposado 3

FROM THE WIRES... At Anaba Wines, every bottle tells a story, but none more profoundly than the inaugural vintage of  La Colline, Proprietary Red, Sonoma County, 2022 (SRP $84) launching this fall. This isn't just a wine; it's the culmination of a lifelong passion and a defining chapter in Anaba's journey. Winemaker Katy Wilson has dedicated more than a decade sourcing just the right Sonoma mountain vineyards, creating a wine that honors proprietor John Sweazey’s vision, wit

FROM THE WIRES... BIRDY'S, NEW ORLEANS

Chip by Andrew Chalk Dear Nick: I love your Fish 'n Chips, and especially your commitment to keep using cod despite it just going up 25% in price (per your email). The problem is that as I drive past one of your pop-up locations this: does not sound an alarm, take over the steering of my car, and park me next to your truck, 'Chip'. If it did, you could generate a lot more business. Fortunately, what human intelligence lacks, AI, in the shape of chatGPT, can do in about one mi

by Andrew Chalk TASTING NOTES NAME: Domaine St. Laurent, 2023 Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, OR COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity...

by Andrew Chalk I tasted this example from the extensive Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir range and I'm a convert too. Soft, yet complex, ready to drink. Savory and earthy on the palate, and enrapturing just quaffed slowly. Versatile and outgoing with lots of foods. Try duck, chicken, pork chops, pasta with red or white sauces, even salmon. It will inspire you to scan their web site for the nine other expressions of Pinot Noir that they make. Plus, their Chardonnay! Here is what

by Andrew Chalk

FROM THE WIRES... Martini Extra Dry ( SRP $19.99 ): Martini’s Extra Dry vermouth is a crucial ingredient for any bar cart. The...

FROM THE WIRES... As the holiday season approaches, Symington Family Estates, the iconic five generation Port producer located in Porto,...

by Andrew Chalk At a past Wine Writer's Symposium the excellent Cyril Penn led a session on (paraphrasing) "Should Wine Writers Write Wine Industry Articles" . I was almost the only person in the room who said 'no'. Wine writers got into the game for the romance of the wineyard, the aroma of new French oak, etc. I asked, only partly rhetorically, who could tackle the question "Who Paid The Tariffs?" (referring to the Airbus-Boeing initiated wine tariffs pre-COVID). Now, a to

FROM THE WIRES... “ Tell them stories. They need the truth you must tell them true stories, and everything will be well, just tell them...

2020 image shown. 2022 was the vintage tasted. by Andrew Chalk Elegant, floral nose (roses), red fruit aromas (cherries, raspberries) on an earthy frame with velvety tannins. Delightful now, or will keep 3-5 years. TECHNICAL NOTES FROM THE WINEMAKER PRESENTATION Mercurey's name refers to an ancient temple built by the Romans to honour the god Mercury. With its surface area of 1,600 acres, 85 "village" appellations and 32 Premier Crus, Mercurey is the largest appellation in th

Suizas de Pollo by Andrew Chalk The Mexican , nestled in Dallas’s dynamic Design District, boasts a packed parking lot by 7 PM on a...

FROM THE WIRES... This is quite a special release.... New England icon meets Ivy prep, but makes it durable, utilitarian, and practical….  On Tuesday, October 7th   Steele Canvas Basket, the century-old American manufacturer of home, travel and lifestyle goods, will release it's first-ever holiday capsule collection   exclusively at SteeleCanvas.com and introduce a deep Auburn red tone to the timeless, trusted world of Steele Canvas Basket. These structured and tough duck

by Andrew Chalk A curious and expectant media crowd gathered earlier this week at The Mexican  in Dallas’s Design District for the local...

FROM THE WIRES... Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) invites us to honor culture through food, drink, and storytelling,...

FROM THE WIRES... BEDFORD, Texas (August 4, 2025) – Escape the heat in August with the NEW Reese’s Peanut Butter Caramel Craze Blizzard®...

FROM THE WIRES... Dow's 2018 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port (SRP $30)  reflects the iconic Port producer Symington Family Estates’...

FROM THE WIRES... Sonoma, CA, September 18, 2025 – Anaba Wines , the picturesque estate located at the gateway of the famed...

FROM THE WIRES... PRESS RELEASE   FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION   Contact: Laura Kaupe, Shops Hospitality  682.336.5845;...

by Andrew Chalk 1924 was not just deep into the temperence experiment known as "Prohibition", it is now the inspiration for a modern...

Available and Tasted Now, at Table 13, Addison Wild Boar Ragu on hand torn papperdelle with Jager Sauce by Andrew Chalk It’s a familiar...