Ice Cream and Wine? Don't Mind If I Do...

It's not just for us plebeians...some icons of the wine world adore this creative pairing, too...especially in honor of birthdays. Important birthdays, like centennials.

Want to celebrate yours like Mr. Mondavi? Read on...you don't have to be 100.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/wine-icon-turns-100-celebrates-ice-cream

Surprise! You'll have no idea what's in store for you at these restaurants!

Are you the kind of person who despises surprises? If so, you may as well stop reading right now. Because these restaurants--culled from our Best 100 Wine Restaurants list in Wine Enthusiast Magazine--know how to shock and confuse diners, in the best possible way.

(This surprise from CityZen in Washington, DC is prettier than a bouquet of flowers)

Sometimes the chefs at these restaurants surprise themselves with their creations! I don't know about you, but I think this is very postmodern and exciting. Yes, I said postmodern. (Are you surprised?)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/June-2013/Element-of-Surprise/

Slice of Heaven: Pizza and Wine

Are you a certified piazzolo? Oh, no? Do you at least have your MW? Oh, I see. I suppose the exact art of pairing pizza and wine is going to be completely lost on you. 

Wait! You DON'T have to be a certified sommelier or pizza expert to know how to combine America's two passions. I've got recipes, tips and tricks from the nation's top gourmet pizza makers (who appeared in our Best 100 Wine Restaurants issue in Wine Enthusiast Magazine) along with wine pairing suggestions. 

Kind of goes without saying this is going to be a pizza party...

(Bianca Pizza from A16)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/June-2013/Pizza-Party/

Game On! Why Duck is the new Bacon (or so I hear...)

For us vegetarians, we have to marvel at the meat-centric debates that rile up the carnivores of the world. Good thing you have those flesh-ripping teeth! Meooow!

Yet while (civilly) creating Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Best 100 Wine Restaurants issue for 2013 (and munching on some sublime watercress, yum!), I noticed a trend: All of our restaurants were obsessed with duck!

Yes, duck is the new bacon. And did we mention it makes for a cool wine plaything? Sommeliers and chefs are in cahoots on this one.

(Ducks hanging in the meat locker at Saison...poor little guys..)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/June-2013/Game-On/

The Wide World of Whisky (or Whiskey)

Please, don't get me started on the whisky vs. whiskey debate. Can we focus on the greater issues at hand, like where in the world you can find interesting whiskies? Merely spin the globe, it seems, and you can locate an innovative distillery.

Sweden? Yep. Japan? Of course. India? Makes sense.

See where else you can drink a dram in this story for Premier Traveler.

http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/Cheers_Wide_World_of_Whisky/76/1386.aspx

Where to Drink in New Orleans

Sure, Tales of the Cocktail has already come and gone (though some of us are still feeling the effects.) If you're wondering where to drink, though, in the Big Easy, read this piece for The Daily Meal.

It's geared to the professional drinker, but that's you, right? Did we mention there's "handsome juice?"

http://www.thedailymeal.com/where-drink-during-tales-cocktail-1

Best Bike Vacations!

So, you like to ride your bike, do you? Well good for you. It's better for our environment and it's great for your bod! Just look at those calf muscles!

(Uhoh, this particular rider appears to be running over a smiley face. Oops! Mistakes can happen.) 

But have you, fellow gear head, considered going on a bike vacation? Trips specifically for those who want to make tracks on two wheels (or one, if you're REALLY special) are making the news, just read my story in Fodor's: 

http://www.fodors.com/news/best-vacation-for-bicyclelovers-6936.html

Wonders of the American Whiskey Trail

Like the bold explorers of olde, I took a perilous trip down the American Whiskey Trail this Spring. All of my days spent playing Oregon Trail could not prepare me for the wonders of whiskey I would unearth along my journey. And I did not die of dysentery, or snake bite!

(A Herculean feat, powered by Jim Beam...)

Read it and drink:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/trekking-american-whiskey-trail

Just Back From: Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans

Thousands of cocktails.
Hundreds of spirits brands.
Dozens of New Orleans venues.
And several dwarfs shooting vodka off of an ice luge in clown costumes. (Um yes, that really happened. We have proof.)

Read all this, and more, in this riveting recap for Fodors.com:
http://www.fodors.com/news/just-back-from-tales-of-the-cocktail-6981.html

Top Spirits Festivals

Some of us are still recovering from Tales of the Cocktail (more on that to come), which took place in New Orleans last week.

But if you're ready for more great shots and stellar sips--not to mention the general shenanigans that come about whenever the cocktail community collides--check out this story in Premier Traveler, rounding up the top spirits festivals in the whole wide world:

http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/Cheers_Festival_Lineup/76/1512.aspx

Take a Break from Kale. No, Really.

Kale is like that obnoxious cheerleader who got all the hot guys in high school.

Seriously, can we mix it up people?

Try this cool ancient grain salad instead. I think it has more staying power.

Snag the recipe here:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/May-2013/Recipe-of-the-Month-Nifty-Shades-of-Grain/

Would You or Wouldn't You: Boozy Spa Treatments

Ever played that game, Would You Rather?

Here's kind of an upscale version, involving Bourbon, beer and luxurious spa treatments...explored in this fun story for Wine Enthusiast. Yes, hopping in a bathtub filled with Bourbon is trending in the beauty world this summer.

Brewsage, anyone? (Yes. That's a real term.)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/May-2013/Six-Spas-with-Booze-Based-Treatments/

The Tale of the Great Fried Chicken Quest

One of the most fun stories I wrote this year centered on one chef's borderline-crazy obsession with making the perfect fried chicken.

Some 75 variations later, he discovered the ideal recipe. You have no idea how many chickens he "utilized" in the process.

I throw you a (chicken) bone here, along with the winning recipe:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/May-2013/Winner-Winner-Fried-Chicken-Dinner/

Wonders of the Wine World

Were you haunted by a strong desire to visit the Wonders of the World growing up, even if they were long lost to the sands of time? So was I!!

Behold, the 10 Wonders of the Wine World! Sure, they're not exactly the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but you can actually visit--and drink wine--at these glorious temples to vino.

Read my story here:
http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Architectural-Wine-World-Wonders/

Top Wine and Culinary Tours!

A top travel trend to emerge in 2013 is food tourism, and culinary tours in America's coolest cities have taken note.  Eat--and drink--your way through these cities on a delicious wine and food walking tour.

We threw in a few cocktail recipes, 'natch, in case you're not going far this summer.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Walk-on-the-Wine-Side/

Feast Without the Beast: A Case for Meatless Monday

Back in the day (waaaay back, as in, Middle Ages), doctors thought sticking leeches to a patient's body was a brilliant idea. (!!!)

Today, people go on juice fasts, meat-based Paleo diets or just stuff themselves silly with antibiotic-laced McMeats. Not exactly genius.

But some chefs are making progress in a vegetarian direction, and it feels, well, modern. Consider the case for Meatless Monday, presented in this piece for Wine Enthusiast.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Feast-Without-The-Beast/

You'll not only learn why Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah and other celebrities embrace giving up meat one day a week, but also how to pair wines with vegetarian cuisine.

How civilized, indeed.

Seven Celebrity Chef-Made Wines You May or May Not Want to Drink

Should chefs make wine? That question is kind of besides the point. The fact is, they do. And you can read about the good, the bad, and the ugly in this story for The Daily Meal here.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/7-wines-celebrity-chefs

Yes, Guy Fieri is slated to launch a wine. Consider yourself warned!

Peep This: Easter Recipe Revamp!

If you're like us, you just eat Peeps and chocolate on Easter, but some people have been making the same family recipes for generations.

There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but we thought it would be fun to see how chefs around the country are revamping Easter dishes in this piece for Wine Enthusiast.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Easter-Recipe-Revamp/

We threw in cool cocktail pairings for good measure, since you're probably spending the holiday with family. You're welcome.

Honeymoons for the Wine and Food Obsessed

Remember that saying "if you like it so much, why don't you marry it?"

Turns out you can't marry a bottle of Bourbon. But whatever the object of your lust--be it wine or Wagyu--resorts around the world are designing honeymoons specifically for couples who hunger to eat and drink well.

In this story for Wine Enthusiast, we look at five honeymoon hot spots that cater to the culinary minded.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/April-2013/Honeymoon-Hot-Spots/

Five Top Foodie Experiences: Amsterdam

What could be more glorious than cruising Amsterdam's storied canals with a Michelin-starred chef on board, cooking you a delicious dinner? Maybe you'd prefer dining submerged in the dark? (Watch those elbows, though!)

Whatever your preference, this story for Fodor's sums up Amsterdam's finest foodie experiences. Read it and eat.

http://www.fodors.com/news/5-awesome-foodie-experiences-in-amsterdam-6570.html