On the 500th Anniversary of his death, I couldn’t not write about arguably one of the most prolific polymaths ever: Leonardo Da Vinci. Born Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci in 1452, this illegitimate son of a notary and peasant woman from Vinci, a small hamlet just outside of Florence would become known as the father of paleontology and architecture, one of the greatest artists of all time and inventor of futuristic machines and devices centuries ahead of their time.

What I wanted to get to the bottom of, however, is the legend I had heard since becoming a sommelier in Italy—that Da Vinci invented a simple yet genius device in wine-making called the airlock (sometimes fermentation lock)—that mesmerizing glass (sometimes plastic) ornament you see on top of oak barrels in winery cellars.

‘Tis the season to toast — A LOT. Some of you have waited all year for this: I know, I’m with you! In past years, I have highlighted various Italian sparkling wines, but, this year, I am sharing five fabulous Californian sparkling wines made in the Classic Methos (aka Champagne Method). CHEERS!

While Tuscany is famous for giving us both the momentous Renaissance and the musical Italian language, its cuisine is quite simple and austere. A variety of meats, beans, salt-less bread, seasonal vegetables, pecorino cheese and olive oil are the main staples of the Tuscan diet. The result is a rustic, but hearty cuisine that is especially welcomed in the cooler months of the year.

In past years, I have been thankful for Italian wines at Thanksgiving; This year, however, Sonoma wineries really need our love and support after the destructive Kincade fire this autumn.

It was a joy and honor to highlight these perfect Thanksgiving wines from fantastic small to mid-size Sonoma wineries that will make you the hero of Thanksgiving dinner this year—winter holidays too! Please note that these wineries ship, and I’ve included links, so please support Sonoma with your wine choices this Thanksgiving and let’s all be thankful for the thousands of first responders who contained the Kincade fire that could have otherwise devastated the region.

Wow your friends with the origins of this beloved cocktail!

Greetings from Savannah, Georgia, y’all! I’m here for a couple of weeks visiting dear, recently-transplanted friends from the Bay Area. At their recommendation, I made a stop at their local wine shop and was blown away by the brilliant concept behind it and the selection of wines on display. It was a no-brainer that June’s wine-of-the-month had to come from Le Chai - Galerie du Vin.

To highlight proprietor Christian Depken’s eclectic taste in wine, we opted for this unique, crisp white wine hailing from southern France that works just as well on Savannah porches on a balmy summer’s eve: