I’ve been hearing people mention “pizza wine” lately, but what does that mean? In the old days, pizza meant red sauce, mozzarella (and I’m talking cow’s milk here, not buffalo) and maybe mushrooms or pepperoni. A bottle of Chianti in a straw basket was considered the perfect ­accompaniment. Read More

Grenache is the most widely planted red-wine grape in the world. Grenache blanc is not nearly as popular but it seems to be catching on. Here’s the scoop.A mutation of grenache, grenache blanc is originally from Spain but, like its red counterpart, has become more identified with southern France. Full-bodied, high in alcohol and low in acid, it thrives in warm climates such as southern Rhone, Languedoc-Roussillon, parts of California and South Australia. Read More

One of the most popular white-wine grapes these days is albariño. I don’t mean in the sense that everyone who comes into my restaurant sits down and says, “I’ll have a glass of albariño,” but it is the one white-wine grape that just about everyone, including red wine drinkers, seem to appreciate, if not love. Read More