Bill Garlough

When it's icy outside, why not snuggle up inside with some "ice" that will melt your heart. In this case, the "ice" is Ice Wine, an ultra sweet and silky dessert wine that is a wonderful sipper at the end of a meal or enjoyed while relaxing in front of a fire on a cold winter's night.

September is a month that brings mixed feelings. We are generally sad to say good-bye to Summer. On the other hand, the weather cools down the Fall leaves start turning beautiful colors and football season kicks-off! Americans like to celebrate and September is a nice time to have a party. You can toast your blessings from the past Summer and toast to new adventures in the Fall. As the Italian word Ciao means both hello and good-bye, it seems appropriate to toast September with Italian wine.

The weather in the Midwest is extreme - icy cold winters, fierce thunderstorms with heavy rains, hail, strong gusts of winds and hot, humid summers. On top of that, we have heat waves to endure. This calls for something very refreshing to drink and New Zealand may come to the rescue. New Zealand is famous for Sauvignon Blanc wine and more recently Pinot Noir

Summertime home entertaining tends to be more casual. The trick with entertaining is to make your guests feel special. A nice selection of food and beverage can make your guests feel welcome and appreciated. Introducing your guests to a new dish or beverage can offer a nice conversation icebreaker and help make your party memorable. This article will offer some wines that may accomplish this goal.

Doris Day's popular song Que Sera, Sera is the theme of this article on a couple of levels. The translation of "Whatever Will Be, Will Be" conjures up the carefree spirit of the warm summer months, when we enjoy casual backyard entertaining. This article's title asks which Syrah wine will you choose to drink at your backyard barbeque (the fruit driven, big, bold, peppery notes pair well with grilled meats). This article explores both French and American Rhone-style wines for you to decide.

Global military actions are in the news, which makes this Memorial Day's reflections of lives lost in service for our country very timely. Memorial Day is a remembrance of these fallen soldiers and a celebration of the freedoms we enjoy. To commemorate the holiday weekend, find ways to combine patriotism with some backyard celebrations, for your perfect patriotic pairing. Backyard BBQ cooking techniques are discussed and a variety of entree grilling options and wine pairings are listed.

One of the joys in life is to experience "ah-ha" moments, when you realize something new. I had a food and wine "ah-ha" moment about thirty years ago, when I experienced a meal with a tremendous food and wine pairing. That dinner sparked a passion for wine that eventually led to owning a wine cellar. If you have the desire to begin cellaring wines, now is a perfect time to begin.

Last month's column discussed that now is a perfect time to either add to an existing wine collection or start one. The combination of worldwide over-production and a global recession has created a tremendous opportunity to buy wine. The Wine Spectator recently reported that the value wine segment is the hottest price point in the wine industry.

One of the great things about cultural celebrations is that it gives all of us a chance to experience a taste of another region's history, traditions and cuisines. This adds to the richness of our lives and broadens us culturally. And when you add in a fun festival, you have a winning combination. So let's take a look at Mardi Gras and Let The Good Times Roll!

For many Americans, Easter Sunday is a day of reflection with family and friends, gathering around the table, enjoying a special meal together. Wine is often part of the meal and a good wine pairing really enhances this occasion. Let's look at some wine pairings for two popular Easter entrée choices plus suggestions for brunch.