Ancient Greeks and Romans alike valued walnuts highly. The latter attributed the nut’s trees to Jupiter, the king of Roman gods, which gave rise to the common walnut’s scientific name, Juglans regia, translating roughly to “royal nut of Jupiter.” Now

From single vineyards to entire regions, winegrowing areas around the world each boast a distinct blend of environmental factors that influences the characteristics of wine. Elements like temperature, sunlight and rainfall play a part, as do more gra

Developed in New York during the 1950s, Chardonel was cultivated to produce a white wine grape that could achieve a body and flavor range similar to Chardonnay but would be able to sustain long, harsh winters. Indeed, Chardonnay, as Chardonel’s name

A simple yet delicious dish, pasta primavera became an icon of New York City’s dining scene during the 1970s. Popularized by Le Cirque restaurant, the recipe has since been personalized countless times by other chefs and cookbook authors. It’s come t

It’s an excellent time to drink Australian Chardonnay. While the style metronome has tick-tocked historically between ripe, oaky examples and lean, austere versions, modern Aussie “Chardy,” which ranges from vibrant, crisp and saline to textured, fle

Historic but modern, classic yet controversial, beloved as well as dismissed: Chardonnay has been through as many twists and turns as a character in a Charles Dickens novel and reinvented enough times to put Lady Gaga to shame. But despite the wine’s

For years, Chianti Classico producers have debated how to make their appellation more readable for consumers. Unlike Barolo and Barbaresco, which delimited their crus years ago, Chianti Classico has a vast territory, large estates and a multitude of

Known for hits like “Wherever is Your Heart” and “The Story,” Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter/producer Brandi Carlile is beloved for her collaborative spirit and the philanthropic energy she pours into every project. In 2019, she channeled bot

While we may miss the camaraderie and conversation shared at bars, there’s no need to long for a meal made up of bar snacks. The bold, flavorful, easy-to-grab bites beloved by animated hand-talkers everywhere taste just as good on your couch as they

Traditionally, négociants were merchants who didn’t own or farm vineyards. They bought wines from small farmers and then blended, matured and sold them under their own names. Until the 1970s, this was the principal business model of Burgundy, and it

As a wine region, Woodinville is full of contradictions. While the town itself has a rich agrarian history, whatever grapevines exist are purely decorative. Almost all of the state’s grapes are grown at least 100 miles to the east. With a population

Widely planted around the world, this grape models just how much vinification methods can affect the character and color of wine. Even without delving into sparkling options, bottlings can run the gamut of pale and racy to deep and rich, with a wide

California Chardonnay is in a good place right now. It has burst forth from a long, controversial period where it was cocooned in a reputation of buttery vapor or worse. During those dark days of derision, not everyone abandoned hope, however. Least

Grape-based gin may sound like some new hybrid, but the concept dates to the 1400s. That’s when evidence from the Netherlands shows that juniper spirits, i.e., the ancestors of today’s gin, were often made with grapes. A dip in European viticulture c

As someone who grew up shopping in the clearance section of discount stores, it still warms my bargain-hunter’s heart to find a great spirit with a gentle price tag. When I’m reviewing spirits, I don’t know the price on a bottle until after the revie

New York City made me a sommelier. It taught me speed and precision. Seriousness. It rewarded nothing but excellence, and there were many train rides home spent stewing over the slightest mistake: an awkward interaction, a collegial spat over decanti

“To say 2020 was an unusual year is an understatement,” said Adam Strum, chairman and CEO of Wine Enthusiast Companies, after he removed his mask to deliver the opening remarks at the 2020 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards ceremony. Held January 26–28

Adapted from The United States of Cocktails: Recipes, Tales and Traditions from All 50 States (and the District of Columbia) (Abrams, 2020), by Brian Bartels ½ ounce sweet vermouth2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice2–3 ounces chilled club soda2 dashes or

In the Cape South Coast region of South Africa’s Western Cape lies an area so breathtakingly idyllic, its name is the stuff of poetry: Hemel-en-Aarde, or “heaven and earth” in Afrikaans. Incredibly fitting, the name paints a perfect picture. Near end