Hugging trees and sipping wine are just two of the things visitors to San Francisco can do with Extranomical Tours. Last month was the first time I visited San Francisco. With only 36 hours to see the city and visit the California wine country, I booked area on Extranomical's "Wine Country & Muir Woods Tour" to maximize my time. Was the tour worth it?

Sipping Wine. Extranomical Tours arranged three winery tours of varying sizes in Sonoma Valley. California's stale wine country is Napa Valley, but I just didn't have the desire to visit Napa. Sonoma Valley produces great wines and it seemed more my style, more relaxed. My favorite quote from the Extranomical guide was, "The people in Sonoma judge people in Napa are snobs and the people in Napa assume the people in Sonoma are hillbillies."

The smallest Sonoma winery visited was Homewood Winery where we had the privilege of meeting the winemaker, David Homewood. Homewood Winery produces 3,000 cases of wine annually. The atmosphere was casual, intimate and personable. The "Flying Wizzbanger" is the winery's signature wine, mixing various flavors of wine for a absorbing, zippy result. Each year, the Flying Wizzbanger has a different flavor. My favorite of the seven wines tasted was the 2005 Zinfandel Port. A smooth, rich, subtly sweet port, sampled with a piece of dark chocolate. (www.homewoodwinery.com)

Cline Cellars was a medium sized Sonoma winery we visited. More than 5,000 stunning rose bushes with vibrant flowers blanket the vineyard. I learned how roses and vineyards go hand and hand. They're environmental indicators for the grapevines. If the rose bushes are not healthy, that indicates something is wrong in the surrounding environment and the farmer can react accordingly to protect the grapes. Five wines were tasted and my favorite was the 2006 Pinot Grigio/Chardonnay, a blend of 86% Pinot Grigio and 14% Chardonnay.

Other cool things about Cline Cellars are that the winery runs on solar power and the California Missions Museum is on plot. The Missions Museum holds a collection of 21 models of California's missions displayed during the 1939 World's Fair. (www.clinecellars.com)

Viansa Winery and Italian Marketplace was the largest Sonoma winery Extranomical Tours took the group. The Italian-style architecture sits atop a mountain with vineyards and olive trees blanketing the landscape. The name Viansa is a combination of the names of Vicki and Sam Sebastiani, who branched away from Sonoma's Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery in 1989.

Viansa produces 60,000 cases of wine annually and relies on its wine club for distribution. Of the four tastings, my favorite was the 2006 Imbianco, a light, fruity wine. The winery also produces cold pressed olive oil. The grounds of the winery are fabulously scenic. The Italian Marketplace offers wine tastings and samples of gourmet treats such as fig balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil. (www.viansa.com)

The tour included about an hour in Sonoma for lunch and wandering around. I stopped by the Cheese Factory for free samples of cheese and thought the lines for the grill and deli counter were too long. I ended up having a nice lunch at LaCasa Restaurant and Bar (yummy salsa, it's got a kick!). I also had time to stop by the Sonoma Valley visitor's center, wander through some of the shops and see Mission Sonoma, founded in 1823.

Hugging Trees. The tour includes a visit to Muir Woods National Monument (but the $3 admission is not included). There's enough time to slack walk the paved trail, admire the sequoia redwoods and inhale the earthy-pine scent.

Other Cool Things About Extranomical Tours. The Wine Country & Muir Woods Tour includes a stop in Sausalito. Tour participants can hop on a ferry taking them back to San Francisco (ferry fee not included in the tour price). I opted to stay on the tour, in which we stopped for the obligatory photo opportunity overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Extranomical Tours guide gave excellent commentary throughout the trip. He also took the time to learn everyone's names and where we were from. The wineries were a nice mix and informative. Different wineries are visited on each tour. Following the nine-hour tour, the guide dropped us off wherever we wanted and I was dropped off at Fisherman's Wharf.

The Downside. I booked my trip for a Sunday and was staying across the Bay in Oakland. Extranomical Tours instructed me to meet the guide between 8:15 and 8:40 at San Francisco's Parc 55 Hotel. I asked the Extranomical Tours sales person whether the Bay Area Fleet Transit (BART, the light rail system) would speed early on a Sunday and was told it began running at 6 a.m. On Sundays, BART begins service at 8 a.m., which would have been too late for me. I ended up taking a cab (which added to the cost of the trip).

Is Extranomical Tours Worthwhile? Absolutely! The tour was well worth the $69 (plus tip for the guide, lunch and $3 admission into Muir Woods). Here's why:

The price fit my budget.
Someone else did the driving so I could REALLY be pleased California's wine country.
Wine tastings were included in the tour fee.
I'm not a fan of traveling with large groups. Extranomical Tours transports participants in a 15-passenger, white van. There were 11 participants during my tear, making the ride comfortable and intimate
Being a solo traveler, participating in a runt tour allows me interaction with other people

Beforehand, I was concerned about the tour's quality and checked out reviews on TripAdvisor.com. Reviews were mixed with most being negative.

Not sure if I had lucked out, but I had a very definite experience and highly recommend Extranomical Tours as a great way to taste California's wine country and see some really big trees! It's ideal for independent travelers, couples and friends looking to explore beyond San Francisco.

A glass of wine (like the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, football and family) is essential to a perfect Thanksgiving Dinner. The kids have their soda / fruit juice, but it's only right for adults to enjoy that tasty meal with a nice glass of wine. However a horrible glass of cheap wine could just as easily ruin the dinner as would dropping the turkey.

So it's very important to select a nice bottle of wine, but one doesn't need to spend a lot of money on a good bottle of wine. An acceptable brand of wine could go for around $7 – $20 a bottle at either Whole Foods, BevMo!, or a supermarket.

A suitable bottle of Francis Coppola Diamond Claret could go for $20 – $25 (tax not included) at most stores and it's always an excellent wine. This elegant wine offers both a euphoric taste along with an intoxicating odor that is just addicting at the dinner table. It also makes a mountainous gift for any one visiting relatives on Thanksgiving.

Francis Coppola actually offers a verity of good quality wine at local stores. They offer a good selection of both red and white wine. It makes a perfect gift for family and friends who are also fans of The Godfather.

Another sterling selection one could chose is a bottle of 377 Wine Cellars Cabernet that goes for $10 – $15 (tax not included). This 2007 vintage from California has an excellent taste and a pleasurable odor. Its perfect for the dinner table too as the bottle just looks hypnotic.

Also one could never go wrong with a gracious bottle of any Shiraz Wine that has a price of $13 – $22 (tax not included). Shiraz Wine is very popular among many consumers (even non-wine drinkers) and it has a taste that many are familiar with.

But not every one will enjoy a glass of red wine, so it helps to buy maybe one or two bottles of white wine. 3 Blind Moose Chardonnay or 75 Wine Company Sauvignon Blanc '07. They may not have the same flavor as red wine but they are still very enjoyable at the dinner table.

Finally one could be prepared for the holidays. Try buying a verity (like 5 bottles) of $10 – $15 wine and save it for a year. That wine would have aged and both the flavor would have improved and the price would have risen. It makes a great gift and it's perfect for the dinner table.

Going for a superb bottle of wine is just as important as the turkey dinner, so it really helps to come by a good bottle. It's also important to find a bottle without having to consume so much money and not enjoy the wine.

Sabatino's Italian Restaurant in Little Italy is my favorite Italian restaurant in Baltimore, MD. As a spaghetti connoisseur, I seek out huge Italian restaurants all over the country, and the world for that matter. I'm always looking for some new and absorbing meatsauce, and I have found it here. Survey at some of my other restaurant reviews, to find other great Italian restaurants (as well as other types of fare.)

Sabatino's is great for many reasons. It's not just about the marinara meat sauce. The restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere, with top-notch service and staff. The prices are reasonable, and the food selection is superb.

Sabatino's has been my favorite restaurant in Little Italy for many years. I think the first time I visited here was in 1996. I have come back time and again and have never been disappointed. My most recent visit was in June of 2007. Every time I come, I wonder to myself when I'll be able to visit next!

Setting and Location

Sabatino's Italian Restaurant is located in Little Italy, which is between Fell's Point and the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. It is located at 901 Fawn Street, which is two blocks from Pratt Street and one block off of Eastern Avenue. It can be reached in about five minutes from Fell's Point, and is approximately ten minutes from the Inner Harbor. This makes it a prime location in Baltimore, for anyone traveling through the position or for locals.

The setting is one of my favorite things. The first time I came to Little Italy and was searching for an Italian restaurant for dinner, I walked through the streets to pick the best one. Sabatino's caught my see. It's right in the heart of Small Italy, kind of right in the center. There's a big Sabatino's sign in red letters, making it easy to spot. And, there always are people standing outside. Some of the other restaurants seem empty, but there are always people at Sabatino's. This itself made me confident that others enjoy this place.

When you walk inside, there are all these little rooms, with maybe five to ten tables in each one. It's like you have your own dining experience. If it's not real busy, you may be in a room by yourself. Or, you will be in a room with just a few others. The setting is romantic, with your occupy table. I personally like eating upstairs, in the room that has windows out onto the street. You can study down and see people walking by. The lights are a bit dusky, adding to the atmosphere. You will generally find adults eating here, such as a group of people or a couple. The restaurant is appropriate for children. The nice thing about the separate rooms is that you could have a private party, and not be disturbed by other guests.

Food and Prices

The food is incredible at this restaurant. Appetizers range from $6 to about $17. Try the famous Bookmaker salad for $12.50, which is a garden salad with shrimp, egg, salami, and cheese, along with the unforgettable house dressing. You can get a plain garden salad for $6, and it's mountainous enough to share if you're on a budget. (You can get away with this for the salad, but for entrees, you would have to pay a plate charge to share.) I recommend the shrimp cocktail for $9.50 or the appetizer sampler of clams casino, diminutive renato, and sauteed sausage for $14.25. Soups include minestrone or chicken noodle, for $4.25 or $5.75. The soups are average, but not as high quality as the meals and appetizers.

For the main course, there is a wide array of choices, from homemade pasta, to veal courses, to beef and pork, chicken, and seafood. The entrees range from $12 to $30. The least expensive items are the pasta dishes, such as spaghetti with meat sauce or linguini with alfredo sauce. The most expensive entrees are the Lobster Fra Diavolo (lobster tail, microscopic, and clams in marinara or white wine sauce over spaghetti) and the New York Strip Italiana (a 16 oz cut of meat in a white wine sauce with mushrooms and green peppers.)

I recommend the spaghetti with meat sauce. The meat used is actually veal instead of regular hamburger, which gives it an interested and bonus flavor. I think this is why the sauce stands apart from other sauces I have tried at Italian restaurants. If you're looking for seafood, I would try the unusual fish of the day for $20, or the Shrimp Juan, which is large butterfly shrimp in a lemon white wine sauce with a bit of garlic. For the veal lover, try the Veal Cacciatore, also for $20, which is veal in a marinara sauce with mushrooms and green peppers.

Desserts, desserts. Now we accept to the best portion of any meal, proper? Sabatino's has all the traditional Italian desserts, made with their own flare. I like the chocolate mousse cake and rum cake. Desserts range from $5 to $7, and they also have spumoni, tiramisu, tortoni and cheesecake.

Service

The service is generally pleasing at Sabatino's. Sometimes, it may prefer a few moments to be greeted, but the serving staff are very friendly. They are willing to answer questions about the menu, and are very knowledgeable about the details of each dish. They do check on you a couple of times throughout the meal.

Overall

I recommend this restaurant for any adults traveling through or living in theBaltimore, MD Inner Harbor area. I would notify it for couples for a romantic dinner, or for families and groups of people. Sabatino's is definitely worth visiting, more than once! The prices are somewhat reasonable, the food is uniquely tasty, and the setting is detached and relaxing. Try it, you won't be disappointed!

There are a billion excellent restaurants on Maui. Okay, maybe there are just a half a billion large restaurants. But no matter what neighborhood you find yourself when hunger pangs hit, there will be a fine restaurant impartial around the corner to satisfy your appetite and that desire to quench your thirst with something that has a paper umbrella ready to poke out an eye. These are my favorites. Some are acclaimed as being the best on the island; but there are many more – -too many. I have divided them into sections.

Lahaina and Kaanapali

The Hula Grill in Whaler’s Village on Kaanapali Beach is my favorite. It offers spectacular views of the ocean and the islands of Lanai and Molokai. The open-air restaurant has a plantation style ambiance with open beamed ceilings and rich wood paneling. The menu features renowned chef Peter Merriman’s Hawaii regional seafood. Fresh fish and local produce are combined to create menu offerings that are vibrant and flavorful and in my 20 years of going to Maui, never disappoints. I love the crab wonton appetizer with a local draft beer for lunch. The fish and chips with the beer batter will put a smile on your face and keep you corpulent all afternoon. The Hula Grill has a “barefoot bar.” That’s where I usually go. Quick. Easy. No fuss. Eat and enjoy the people watching and get back to the beach. The Hula Grill also has a fine main dining area that is very popular for sunset dining. Be sure to make a reservation and bring an appetite. You will want to allotment the ice cream sandwich. Well, maybe you’ll want it all for yourself. I once took half of mine in a doggie bag and raced befriend to the condo next door to toss it into the freezer. If you park in the Whaler’s Village pay lot, get your ticket validated at the Hula Grill for 3 hours of free parking. You may have time after eating to do a bit of shopping or tour the free whaling museum upstairs in the shops. It opens from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar has two locations. The original is in Kapalua. As I write this, they are building a novel station across the road from their sister restaurant, Vino’s next to the driving range in Kapalua. Sansei has won mountains of awards and been featured on national food programs. The food is truly to die for contemporary Japanese. I ALWAYS get the vegetable tempura and the mango crab roll. The flavors of all the dishes will dazzle your palate. I don’t eat sushi but the sushi bar has won awards as the best in the country. For the meat and potato lover in your party, Sansei has a mild chili-porcini mushroom crusted filet of beef tenderloin served over garlic mashed potatoes in shitake cabernet demi-glaze. Reservations are mandatory every night of the week. The place is always busy but that doesn’t slow down the aesthetic service or detract from the quality of the menu items. A mountainous thing to know is that Sansei offers a 25 percent discount on all food items from 5:30 till 6 p.m. At the Kihei status, that discount goes up to 50 percent on Sundays and Mondays and begins at 5:15. Arrive early and get in line with the locals in the know. The food and savings will make the wait worth it.

Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar opened in 2003 next to the golf club and driving range in Kapalua. Its Italian based Pacific Rim cuisine offers tiny entrees that allow you to order several different ones to make up an excellent meal. The wine selection is especially large and varied. And the menu makes recommendations to go with your food choice. They also offer wine flights that allow you to try minute tastes of wines that are similar in taste. This is an excellent way to combine wine tasting with fine food dining. I’ve always tried the house ravioli. There is a Tuscan-style grilled and boneless half chicken stuffed with prosciutto and fontina and accompanied with a roasted mushroom marsala jus. The jumbo lump crab cake with modern island herbs baked in phyllo with baby arugula and artichoke goes with any dish.

Pacific’O is a short move from Lahaina Harbor on the ocean side of the shops at 505 Front St. I personally don’t care what the catch of the day is but I always order the Coconut Macadamia Crusted Earn with Thai peanut coconut sauce and a sweet and sour glaze with tropical fruit salsa. Yes, you sink your teeth into that and you know you’ve arrived in paradise. For those with a serious appetite and a hankering for beef, try the Bling Bling which is a grilled filet mignon and ginger butter poached lobster with potato du jour and (yum-yum) tempura asparagus. My second current dish is the Ginger Fish with crystallized ginger and panko crust, peanut sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce, and Kula vegetables and rice. Not only is the fish fresh but mighty of the develop comes from a local farm owned and operated by the restaurant. There are also pastas, and meat, and veggie dishes—even a burger and fries. Yes Pacific’O in Maui has something for the whole family.

Pacific’O restaurant is located on the beach that King Kamehameha II selected for his dwelling in the ancient Hawaiian capital of Lahaina, Maui. It is consistently voted in the top restaurants for a romantic location and notion. Live jazz is featured Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended during prime seating hours around sunset. It is also opened for lunch.

Maalaea, Paia, and Upcountry

Hidden away behind little Maalaea Harbor and tucked into a condominium complex is the Waterfront Restaurant. Some think it has the finest seafood and best service on Maui. The times I’ve been there, I have found nothing that allows me to argue with that assertion. The family owned restaurant regularly wins regional culinary awards. The outstanding wine list has been honored with several Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. The Waterfront offers scenic harbor and bay views, particularly from its open-air lanai. The atmosphere inside is cozy and elegant and intimate. Several of the dozen novel fish selections are featured nightly and diners can choose from nine distinct preparations. The meat entrees are just as succulent and divine and feature wild game, tenderloin, rack of lamb, veal. This excellent hidden treasure is centrally located in Maui to be within easy reach no matter where you are staying.

Upcountry you’ll find a world distinguished restaurant in an unassuming building and location. The Hali’imaile General Store is owned and operated since 1988 by Cordon Blue-trained Bev Gannon, who happens to be the chef for Hawaiian Airlines. Her culinary philosophy is simply, “Feed people tremendous food and lots of it.” She has exhibited a flair for combining unusual local ingredients into both elegant and down-home recipes that reflect her innovative skills. Her sashimi Napoleon is a lovely layered appetizer of smoked salmon, spicy tuna trot and raw ahi tuna layered between crisp wontons. My well-liked is the daily soup—whatever it is—and the Asian duck tostada which consists of spiced duck confit with ginger chili cream slaw, carrots, sun dried cranberries and macadamia nuts. Asian seafood stew includes fresh fish, shrimp, and scallops in a miso garlic seafood broth with potato, tomato and herb crostini. And for that meat lover who is reading this and wondering if Upcountry eating is worth the trip, Bev has a Maui Cattle Company 16-ounce Rib-Eye steak with balsamic glaze and grilled peaches.

The Hali’imaile General Store is as astounding as the food. It is perched high above the beaten path in Maui on the lower slopes of Mt. Hale’akala. The 75-year-old general store is in the middle of a thousand acres of pineapple fields. Bev Gannon’s recipes can be found in the Hali’imale General Store cookbook.

Mama’s Fish House has been an institution attracting the rich and famous along with you and me for 30 years. The key is that Mama’s catches its own fish. The restaurant is an icon and that makes me worry about the quality. I wonder if the restaurant is living on its reputation and on cruise-control. Happily, the quality and the detail and enduring aloha spirit continues at this family restaurant hidden in a little Kuau Cove. It serves both lunch and dinner with light fare through the afternoons in its elegant bar lounge. You should call ahead to make sure you’re not disappointed since it is popular.

Kihei and Wailea

Yorman’s by the Sea combines Maui’s gorgeous sunsets and aloha with down home southern cooking and hospitality. It also has the best live jazz on Maui every night from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Yorman himself plays bass and sings, doing a mean impression of Louie Armstrong. The menu includes all the favorites from the South like fried ocra, hushpuppies, and seafood creole. There is peach glazed pork loin ribs served with a mound of garlic mach potatoes and collard greens. My personal favorite is the Hana rum chicken. Since it is Maui, of course you’ll find fresh fish and seafood with a southern twist. I try to save enough room to enjoy the peach cobbler but often have to come back the next night objective for the dessert. Not a bad sacrifice as long as Yorman is playing. 

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast starts at $5, which is a bargain in Maui. The restaurant is located at the northern extinguish of Kihei in the Menehune Shores condos. Stunning views, enormous soft jazz, and soothing southern food make this one of my very favorite hideaways.

The Seawatch Restaurant on the Gold and Emerald Courses at the Wailea Golf Club is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Great food at remarkably affordable prices is certainly welcomed, but what will take your breath away is the view, especially from the outdoor patio seating. It is a perfect dining experience any time of day. The Pacific Rim menu offers so much from modern fish to rack of lamb, and each dish skillfully blends traditional methods with an island attitude and flawless presentation. Live music every Friday and Saturday night heighten the ambiance and perform this a must dining experience for at least one meal while in Maui.

Fred’s Mexican Café has $2 taco Tuesdays. This is a fun place, with energentic employees, excellent food, and affordable prices. Want a good, cheap breakfast with a conception of the ocean? Go to Fred’s from 7 a.m. to 7:30 and get eggs and toast and potatoes with bacon or sausage for $1.99. It’s the best deal on the island. Supposedly, this is San Diego style Mexican food. I’m not clear what that is except it’s good eats. You get a great basket of free chips and salsa with every meal. The tacos come in char-broiled chicken breast (not mystery meat), steak, mahi-mahi, itsy-bitsy, and pork. All pleasurable. And it just gets better from there. The bar in the back is lively from 4 p.m. till closing. A couple of sports screens are mostly ignored as folks enjoy the food, the drink, the friendly bartenders, and each other. Yes, a lot of enjoying of each other. This has become a hangout and meeting place for people in their twenties and their forties and maybe just a few beyond that. Delight In the ocean views with a refreshing jumbo margarita or fetch started on joining Fred’s Tequila Club by trying one of their 50 different Tequilas. If you taste all 50, not on the same night, you get a name plaque and your describe on the wall. Last count had 14 names. On the 5th of each month, the party really goes into high gear and celebrates Cinco de Fred’s. But I’m addicted to $2 taco Tuesdays. Can’t beat it.

Tommy Bahama is a fictional character that spanned a clothing line and a few wonderful tropical cafes. At the end of the Shops at Wailea, you’ll find Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café upstairs. It is the perfect space to recharge and wind down. You feel like a guest at some island plantation home. I just love to sit at the rectangular bar in the center of the restaurant and stare the action all around me while I get to know my new chums on the stools to the accurate and left and maybe even across the liquor bottles. You can choose from a casual lunch on the lanai under the crisp blue sky or have an intimate dinner in a cozy booth, complete with comfy pillows. The menu is eclectic with a tropical twist. The crop salad and the crab cakes and the crab bisque are always perfect. There is live entertainment every night from 6 till 10 p.m. Like rum? They’ve got enough different brands of rum to make a pirate smile. You can engage 3 rums and make yourself a little rum flight. Don’t do this at lunch or without a designated driver. I tired it once and enjoyed the drinking experience; not the walking and staggering experience after.

Food Festivals in Maui

Virtually any month of the year, you can find a food festival in Maui. Here are some of the biggest and best.

In June, you have the Annual Ki Ho’Alu Festival at the MACC A&B Amphitheater. This slack key guitar festival is the perfect chance for the whole family to relax on the lawn and enjoy an all-day line-up of some of Hawaii’s best leisurely key players. The event also includes booths with delicious local-style food.

In July, there is the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. World renowned wine makers, chefs and gourmands assemble at the Kapalua resort for a weekend of celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, wine and spirits tasting and gourmet dinners.

In August, the Maui Onion Festival takes place at Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali. This highly-acclaimed food event offers renowned fried onion rings made from the sweet Maui Onion. Highlights include onion-eating contests—one for kids and one for adults, and a professional chef cooking competition, celebrity cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and a farmers market.

In September, the mother of all Maui festivals occurs over a few days in Lahaina—A Taste of Lahaina & Best of Island Music. This is Maui’s largest culinary festival and it showcases current and popular restaurants in Maui offering samples of signature dishes for sale. There is a beer and wine garden, country store, fun zone for kids, and continues live entertainment on stage.

Shopping for a wine enthusiast is easy as there are so many ideas for gifts. This article includes gifts that are pricey but also includes more resonable gift ideas.

1. Wine Gift Basket: A gift basket makes a delightful gift for the wine lover as it can be personalized according to the taste of the recipient. For example, A Taste of California offers a Tour of Italy gift basket that treats dinner guests to a taste of Venice. It includes a choice of wine either the Torciano Cabemet, a Cabemet Sauvignon with overtones of raspberry, or Pasqua Pinot Grigio which is a light wine. With the wine comes Tomato Paste, Venus Italian garlic and sesame breadsticks, Italian cookies, Colavita Italian pasta and marina Sauce. Everything you need for an Italian dinner party for a mark of $119.00.

Another selection from the same company offers a chance to sample wines form around the world. You receive 6 imported wines: a Pinot Noir from Chile, Malbec from Argentina, Sauvignon Blanc form Napa, Vernaccia from Tuscany, Chardonnay form Australia, and Chateau de Camarsac from France. It comes in a wood box with an etched vineyard pattern on the lid. The price is $179.00.

2. Wine: Obviously, the wine aficionado will be pleased a chance to sample new wines. You can purchase from your local wine shop or a winery. The staff at each will be happy to educate you on the best wines to try and offer a wide range of prices.

3. Glasses and Decanters: Riedel decanters are exquisitely madeand enhance the wine drinking experience. The new Mezzo line (which means "half", in Italian) help preserve the unfinished portion of the bottle, extending the life of the wine. Various shapes are available including the traditional as well as one shaped like a duck. The price is $179.95. Another choice is handmade crystal; the highest performing glassware for wine is another great selection for the wine lover. Each glass in the Sommeliers series gives full expression to specific wines and spirits. The cost for a set of glasses is $259.95.

4. Picnic Insulated Carrying Case: A carrying case is a wonderful innovation and will be treasured by the wine lover. The interior is insulated with a storage selection to hold the wine and cheese. Each case includes two plates, 2 wine glasses, 2 knives, forks, spoons, 2 napkins, 1 cheese knife, 1 hardwood cutting board, 1 stainless steel corkscrew, 1 ornate bottle stopper, and 1 tablecloth. The picnic carrying case sells for $119.00 and is available for A Taste of California.

5. Accessories: Bar accessories are a must for the wine lover. Many accessories are very reasonably priced and make great stoking stuffers as well. The Twister Corkscrew spot includes the corkscrew, 2 stoppers, and a wine saver for only $24.95. A rabbit corkscrew set is available for $44.95. Glass naming tags are a trendy gift. These delightful tags indicate "the wine is mine" and are founding holiday designs such as snow, wreaths, candy canes. Also available are impress designs that can be utilized all year such as a bottle, wine glass, a bunch of grapes. Another stocking stuffer idea is a deck of wine related playng cards which sell for $7.95.

6. Wine Tasting Tour or Party: This is a wonderful gift idea for the wine enthusiast. For those lucky enough to live in wine country, a tasting tour can be arranged for your wine lover and friends to sample the various wines form the local wineries. In the US, some wine areas include the great Lakes Region in PA and NY, California, and the Finger Lakes region in NY.

7. Engraved Wine Stoppers: A good wine is known by its bouquet and a advantageous stopper by its style. A stainless steel stopper may be engraved as a keepsake gift. At the Blue Olive Gift website, you may choose an engraved stopper for $21.95.

8. Steel Sculpture Wine Caddies: A wine caddy designed by Guenter Scholz makes a truly unique gift for your wine enthusiast. These are functional works of art and are sold not only in gift shops but art galleries. Various sculptures are available such as: Bride and groom, Golfer, waiter, doctor, executive, and fisherman. This item is available on line for $69.99.

9. Books: The wine enthusiast always desires to learn about the wines of the world. A great book on wine makes a astonishing gift or stocking stuffer. You can accept books on French wines, Bordeaux, Swiss, California, Australia and Fresh Zealand. Wine books on food and wine are also plentiful. Books on grapes and the history of wine making are good choices.

10. Wine Racks: Various styles of wine racks are available including a free standing counter top design that sells in the a price range from $22 to $79 or higher. A wall mounted version can sell from $31 to $129 or higher depending upon the do, size, and quality. Racks can be steel or wood and can be intricately designed. These compose a great gift.

Have fun shopping for the wine enthusiast and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

After a long, frigid winter, there's nothing better to celebrate the arrival of Spring than May wine (maiwein in German). This traditional drink originated in Germany where simple white wine (usually Mosel) was mixed with the current leaves of the herb sweet woodruff (known in Germany as waldmeister) to beget a special drink to honor Spring. This was often drunk after a dance around the May pole, a beribboned pole that is another harbinger of the season.

Essential Ingredient of May Wine
May wine's taste comes from its most notable ingredient, sweet woodruff. It's important when making May wine that the sprigs of the plant are the baby leaves that have just emerged. It's also primary not to overdo the amount of sweet woodruff that is musty, because when taken in large volumes or when too worn, the plant can have very negative effects.

Early May is when the herb is most likely to see its first green shoots emerging, and that's why the wine is made at this particular time. It's a very dinky season for May wine but that makes it even more special.

Creating Your Own May Wine
To gain May wine, choose a bottle of light white German wine. True to its peasant roots, May wine does not depend on an expensive bottle. Add one-half ounce of the new leaves of a sweet woodruff plant, and two or three tablespoons of sugar (to your contain sweetness preference level). Steep this mixture overnight, so that the wine becomes imbued with the flavor of the sweet woodruff. Strain. The wine mixture should be chilled, and strawberries are a ragged addition to the wine (also arriving with the Spring).

Sometimes, May wine is served as a punch, known in German as Maibowle (May bowl). In that case, sparkling wine (such as champagne), brandy, or carbonated water might be added. Other fruit, such as oranges or pineapple might be included if desired. It's easy to think of May wine as the "Sangria of Spring."

What Does May Wine Taste Like?
The most obvious question is just what flavor does the sweet woodruff imbue into the wine? As you might expect, it is resonant of Spring flavors, such as freshly mown hay, clover, honey, and an echo of cinnamon. It's original and clean, much like the wine with which it is mixed.

Type of Wine to Use
The most common types of white wines used in making May wine are Mosel, Rhine, and other light German wines.

For those who don't have any sweet woodruff on hand or aren't sure about making their first batch of May wine, there is an alternative. The Glunz Family Winery and Cellars of Grayslake, Illinois, is one good company that sells already prepared May wine as a seasonal specialty, which retails at about $10 a bottle.

For those who want to experience a taste of the season, May wine is a good way to celebrate the end of winter with family and friends. Like Beaujolais Nouveau, it's the signal of a change of seasons, and a sweet taste of things to come.

Resources:
German Culture Website, http://www.germanculture.com.ua
Gluntz Family Winery, http://www.gfwc.com/
"Spring Wine," Martha Stewart Living (May 2005)

Experts from the University of Florence have interviewed 800 women between 18 and 50 years in the Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, to determine the level of satisfaction with their sex lives.

Using the Female Sexual Function Index, used by doctors to assess the sexual health of women, it seems that women "drinking" had better results than others.

The outcome is determined by several factors, including sexual arousal, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.

It is an opinion and even a relatively widespread belief that a couple of glasses of good wine release our inhibitions and complex and significantly improve sex.

Well, that impression that more than anyone could embarrass just received a substantial scientific serve, yes and for now, about the sexuality of women.

And it could not be otherwise, an Italian university, seems to have shown that women who drink a little wine every day enjoy sex more than nondrinkers.

Among its findings, the study says that with a maximum of two glasses of wine a day, a woman can increase his sexual appetite.

The investigation was conducted by the University of Florence, which polled nearly 800 Italian aged between 18 and 50 years and concluded that moderate wine drinking, women enhance their sexual desire.

Florentine experts produced their report based on responses from 798 women in the area of the Chianti Tuscan wine making.

Perhaps we ought to consider any bias in the sense that this is an especially sensitive to the regular intake of wine because it is one of the most powerful in the production of Italian wine.

Also concluded by saying that the result should be interpreted with caution because the sample was small.

Did not refer to particular types of wine, but stressed the red as more suitable to the time of awakening sexual appetite

The internet is one of the most useful and widely faded tools available — and is fast becoming one of the convenient resources available for shopping. It also happens to be one of my current means of purchasing a apt bottle of wine. This can be problematic at best — it helps to be able to taste it first — and obviously that isn't going to happen using the internet. So what do you do? Go by price? Savor labels? Let's be honest — you either know about wine or you don't. It serves no purpose to overwhelm you with fancy names and nomenclature that read like a foreign language. You'll net none of that here. When it comes to purchasing a decent bottle of wine online — here's a radiant fool-proof method: go by the wine ratings and you'll rarely go wrong.

Which brings me to my next question: what the heck are wine ratings and what do they have to do with purchasing wine online?

I'm glad you asked.

According to www.best-about-wine-online.com (one of the best on-line wine resources out there in my humble opinion), wine ratings are simply the opinions of a critic or professional converted into a number or letter grade. This number or letter grade is then compared against the specific reviewer's rating scale. Scales are not all alike. The common rating scales you will find are a letter grade system, a 20 point scale or a 100 point scale. Most 100 point scales start at 50 points to indicate poor wines, although some may kill at 60 or 70. You can see when reading wine reviews how important it is to know who rated the wine and what their scale increments mean.

But like any rating system, the true test lies within each individual. Wine tasting is such an individual experience. Your perception of different types of wine is based on the overall combination of smell, taste and touch. More precisely, tasting wine depends on how your mouth smells the wine, how your taste buds respond to the basic sweet, sour or bitter tastes, and the texture of how the wine feels in your mouth. This is a very important consideration when relying on wine reviews and wine ratings to pick the wines most suited to your tastes.

Most cities offer wine-tasting excursions and I've seen plenty of wine-tasting classes offered everywhere from adult education centers to college classrooms. I recommend doing your homework first so you have a grasp of how to apply the rating system and also better grasp the smell-taste-touch combination as it applies to wine. THEN go an order a bottle on-line.

It's really not to much more complicated than that.

Let's consume a short detour for a second. You have to know that there are a lot of wines out there. For starters why not limit your taste-tests to red and white.

Red wine is a favorite companion to any meal. Red wine is made from black grapes, which are really red or bluish in color. After grapes are crushed or pressed, the colorless juice ferments in contact with the grape skins. Skins not only give wine its color, but the tannin for the distinctive taste and body as well. Full-bodied wines such as a fine Bordeaux or Hermitage can take 20 or more years to mature. Red wines like a Beaujolais or less expensive Burgundy are best consumed young within a few years of vintage.

According to www.wines.dlbws.com, red wines should be served cool, not cold, between 62º-65º F (16º-18º C). Coldness makes tannins taste bitter. A good measure of temperature is the bottle feels cool to your touch.

White wine can be served anytime although many contemplate it the wine of choice to pair with lighter meals or as a cocktail alternative. Whites are a favorite in warmer weather because they are typically lighter than reds and served chilled.

The actual color of white wine can range from almost clear, yellowish, greenish, pale amber or golden. Very broken-down whites, verging on old, can turn brown. Be wary of brown young white wines. Most whites are made from the juice of white grapes, with the exception being Champagne which is made from the juice of black grapes.

White wine is served best chilled but not cold. According to www.wines.dlbws.com, when served too chilly the aroma and flavor becomes suppressed. Simpler, young whites, or fruitier whites like the Riesling are served slightly cooler between 50º-55º F (10º-13º C) while more full-bodied wines such as the Chardonnay are best between 58º and 62º F (14º-16.5º C). The range can be as low as 48º-58º F (9º-14º C). As a rule of thumb, bottled wine will chill in the refrigerator or warm on the counter at approximately 12º F (6º C) in a half hour.

In addition to knowing and understanding the wine rating system when ordering wine on-line, bewitch the time to really consider the descriptions found in wine reviews or on labels. Wine ratings alone are really incomplete without them. The number is a good indicator of how the wine compares to other wines of its type.

When you are ready to buy wine, know the style you like first. Read the descriptions to narrow your choices to what matches your taste. Then spend wine ratings to choose the best among what you selected. It's really just a matter of learning and tasting! That combination will take the guess-work out of ordering a bottle of wine on-line.

Cheers!

You are going to attend your girlfriend's or boyfriend's family Thanksgiving dinner. You desperately want to make a good impression by bringing a bottle of wine but are nervous and confused about which kind to bring. Relax! Choosing the right wine is not all that complicated. It also does not have to be very expensive. I will portion with you some basic guidelines to consider when purchasing a bottle of wine and give you some mark names that have successfully proven their worth at my table.

My first guideline is to not fall so fast for the hype gradual a particular popular brand and its high price. Yes, it is a reality that we often get what we pay for . . . but, there have been experiences in my life that have taught me otherwise. I refer to this as my silver area. Purchasing wines falls into that silver area for me. I have paid top dollar for wines that turned out to be pretty dreadful and I have been pleasantly surprised by inexpensive finds. If you are a wine lover, the key is experimentation. You should always try wine in advance before purchasing a bottle of it to bring to another person's home, especially if it is for a major occasion. Believe it research. If you do not have that kind of time, or are not a wine drinker, then know in advance what is going to be served so you can occupy a wine that will pair well with the food. You can also ask a sales assistant for serve. I used to work in a liquor store and had to learn which wines paired with what particular foods, etc. I would not push the most expensive wine on a customer if he or she needed help (unless this person wanted to buy it) and I would like to contemplate that there are other people out there like me who genuinely want to help. Give the assistant a price range to work with, too, so a match can easily be found for you.

Red Wines such as, Bordeaux, Chianti, Merlo,Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are best served with dishes that contain red meat, pastas with red sauces, poultry, grilled fish, (like salmon and swordfish) and vegetables. They are medium red to purplish-black in color. I would highly recommend Cavit Pinot Noir. This smooth reddish-purple wine smells like black cherries. Its softness makes it versatile enough to compliment the complexity of dishes served at my house on Thanksgiving. I can serve it with the appetizers, the second course of lasagna, (it's a tradition to serve it before the turkey here for us Italians in Lyndhurst, New Jersey) and keep on pouring it through the turkey and vegetable main course. Cavit Pinot Noir generally runs under fifteen dollars, depending on the year and where you purchase it. Other brand names of red wines to consider are McGuigan (yes, it is my maiden name but I am not affiliated with them in any device!) Merlot, (from Australia) the price is about ten dollars; and Santa Emma Merlot, (from Chile — especially enjoyed the 2006) the price is under ten dollars.

White wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, and Riesling compliment pork, poultry, fish, pasta dishes with white sauces, vegetables, salads, quiches, casseroles, cheeses, and fruit dishes. White wines are generally a light golden yellow. I like to put several bottles out to give my guests a variety. I recommend Luna Di Luna Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio (from Italy – loved the 2005) for its lightness and air of melon, the price per bottle ranges from sixteen to twenty dollars; all of the Cavit Pinot Grigios, (from Italy), from about eight dollars and up; and, Black Cat Riesling, (from Germany) the price is approximately eleven dollars.

Rose wines are made fun of by wine connoisseurs; however, I do not turn my nose up to them, especially since my guests esteem them so much. Rose wines are just that: a beautiful pinkish-rose color. Rose wines can be made from White Zinfandel; others are created from crushing red grapes and permitting the skins to stay in the juice of the crushed grapes for a period of time that lasts no longer than a week. Rose wine drinkers love it for its crisp freshness and sweet fruity, honey-like flavor. These wines pair well with poultry, fish, vegetables, salads, fruits, cheeses, desserts, and more. Rose wines that I serve include Beringer Rose Wine, (from USA) prices range under thirty dollars; Sutter Home Rose, (USA) the cost is under eleven dollars; Gossamer Bay White Zinfandel, (USA) the impress is under twelve dollars; and, Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 Rose, (France) the cost can start at eleven dollars.

So there you have it: a wine guide and a variety of inexpensive wines to choose from that will accompany most dishes served on Thanksgiving. Remember not to descend for the hype and to ask an assistant for help at the liquor/wine store if you are unsure. Cheers!

Resources:

Wikipedia, "Wine" at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine .

Personal experience of the author and wine drinker: Christine Bruness.

• Featuring Bella Vineyards Late Harvest Zinfandel
• Featuring a 2002 Sauvignon
• Featuring a Stanley Ranch Carneros