In his book Celebrity Vineyards, Nick Wise tours celebrity vineyards in California, Canada, Italy and Spain. These vineyards are owned by actors, race car drivers, people in the music family and even the family of Walt Disney. In each winery profile, the author provides an overview of the winery, the winery’s history, the vintners connection to the winery or the desire to own a winery and tasting notes for the winery’s signature wines. It’s a fun way to look at wineries and makes me want to hit the road and try all of them. …Read More

In Drink More Whiskey, Mr. Yaffee takes a new approach to examining the spirit that is fun, witty and bordering on irreverant. Mr. Yaffee doesn’t write a dissertation on whiskey in his book. Instead, it’s written as he speaks, as though Mr. Yaffee were discussing the topic with friends. Believe it or not, it’s a somewhat novel approach in the drinks book category. You generally see technical dissertations or cocktail books. …Read More

There is probably no American city more affiliated with drinking than New Orleans.  A few come close but I don’t know if anyone can beat it.  Just because you don’t live in New Orleans doesn’t mean that you can’t have a Mardi Gras bash.  That is why we are highlighting Mixing New Orleans as this week’s Literary Monday pick.

Mixing New Orleans examines New Orlean’s cocktail culture through its favorite watering holes, drinking establishments (many, … Read more

A number of years ago, we ventured down to New Orleans for the early parts of Mardi Gras and a tour of New Orleans drinking spots.  We loved the dog parade but didn’t really love New Orleans.  It wasn’t really what we expected.  I had romantic notions of New Orleans.  I pictured myself sipping cocktails at historic bars and restaurants and gazing upon Mardi Gras parades.  I wasn’t expecting that Bourbon Street would be like … Read more

The Wild Vine is a must read for any lover of American wine or what we like to call “weird varietals”. Weird varietals are obscure wines that are often made from indiginous grapes or hybrids. In this case, The Wild Vine chronicles the birth, growth and near death experience of Norton, a grape that its author calls the most American of grapes. As you learn in the book, it’s obscure, a hybrid and indiginous to the United States. …Read More

Whether you have mastered the DIY cocktail and are looking for your next challenge or you are looking for that unique homemade gift for the hard-to-buy-for person on your holiday list, this book will keep you busy and entertained for months! …Read More