More than a year ago I purchased a book for the Wine Goddess for her birthday. It was billed as a “provocative romance” by savvy marketers. The women on The View were gleefully reading excerpts to the nation about the “playroom” adventures of literature student Anastasia Steele and the rich, handsome and older Christian Grey. […]

The New England Patriots won’t be in Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl Championship game but there’s still plenty to cheer about. This is one day, like the Fourth of July, that is strictly an all-American event. Even if one doesn’t like savage, concussion-rocking football, it is a time to gather with friends and family to watch […]

George Behrakis never ceases to amaze me. He’s a proud Greek-American, a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, a kind patron of the arts, a decent golfer, a great family man and an astute wine drinker. Behrakis can usually spot a trend. It’s a reason why he’s made millions through savvy investments. Recently, I ran into […]

I was asked recently what wines I served over the holidays to guests and friends, and what I might be looking to drink in the new year.Two good questions for someone who writes a wine column. I will answer the second question first. I consider myself a “explorer” when it comes to learning about wine, […]

q Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 Boston Wine Expo at the Seaport World Trade Center & Seaport Hotel on Feb. 15-16. If you’ve never been, you’re missing a great experience. Tickets start at $95 for Saturday and $85 for Sunday. It includes entry to the Grand Tasting room from 1-5 p.m. where […]

No, I didn’t find the keys to a vineyard under the Christmas tree this year, but the Wine Goddess has promised the next best thing: A trip to any vineyard in the world. My gift came in a box wrapped beautifully in glittering silver and gold paper. A nice red bow sat on top. I […]

What is a bottle of wine worth? On Saturday, Dec. 15, I learned another valuable lesson about the generosity of others, especially the great people living in the Merrimack Valley. Trust me, there are a lot of them. People who are full of kinds hearts and big wallets at Christmastime. When I accepted Warren Shaw’s […]

                I gave the Wine Goddess my Christmas gift list the other night. I sat her down in a big, comfortable chair in front of the fireplace, poured her a glass of Chauteau St. Michelle (Indian Wells) Chardonnay (I took a glass of 10-year-old reserve Fladgate Taylor Port), […]

Retail figures from Black Friday show that overstuffed Americans trotted from the Thanksgiving Day table to big box chain stores and spent nearly 10 percent less than a year ago on Christmas shopping sales. Still, they spent $17 billion. Most of the sales were on electronic products, including IPhones, video games, IPads, tablets, head phones, […]