With a heatwave toasting up much of the nation this week, we could think of no better time than now to pop the cork from a bottle of big, juicy California Chardonnay.... Read More

This is a dry Douro red that’s initially marked by the 12 months it spent in oak but that quickly blows off and reveals the telltale mineral notes of so many of the great reds from here. It’s also a wine that possesses more than enough fruit to keep it approachable, with sun-warmed baby strawberries, bursting-ripe raspberries and spiced plums.... Read More

Inky and concentrated in the glass, this wine lives up to its “relentless” name before you even smell it. Once you do, however, the real fun begins.... Read More

Let’s face it. Winter cocktails don’t really exist. I love a good Eggnog during the holidays, but with roughly 450 calories and 20 grams of fat, there's a reason I only have one or two a year. A good hot toddy can hit the spot in cold weather, but that, too, is hardly something one drinks with frequency, even in the depths of winter.... Read More

It starts off with an evolved, beautiful nose, kissed with leather, cedar, flashes of sandalwood, currants and sage. On the palate it is sweet and minerally, with deeply soulful flavors of currants, sage, fig syrup and cafe mocha leading to a finish of cigar humidor tinged with a bit of black licorice. Expressive and mysterious at the same time, this is a serious wine lover’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.... Read More

Just because you’re drinking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Of the many strategies to imbibing better, few are more well-tested and reliable than focusing on regions and grape varieties that don’t quite have the same instant name-recognition as their competitors. ... Read More

Each a medal winner at the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the wines of Perle di Piera are the answer to many an oenophile’s quest to jazz up their stock of holiday bubblies while at the same time freeing them of the champagne-only headlock.... Read More

When produced with care, from grapes (mostly Garganega) that were grown with love and attention, Soave is a perfect go-to wine: It tends to show freshness, minerality, an occasional hint of flowers and, sometimes, nut notes.... Read More

Specialty beer glasses are an excellent addition to any kitchen or rec room bar. If your local bottle shop doesn't sell them, there are several online outlets that offer a wide selection. ... Read More

Avoid having another humdrum holiday party this year by serving your guests a little bliss – a little Ginger Bliss, that is.... Read More

The champagne cocktail is a classic libation to ring in the new year. It also works wonderfully at holiday parties with its festive hue. AJ Rathbun, GoodLife Report's resident mixologist and author of Champagne Cocktails: 50 Cork-Popping Concoctions and Scintillating Sparklers has provided us with some interesting ways to jazz up your champagne toast.... Read More

No offense against eggnog, but do you really want something that comes in a carton? It’s time to take your favorite holiday liqueur upscale, and this means advocaat.... Read More