Gladys Knight at the Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health

In my previous post I told you about this great fund-raiser for mental health. Gladys Knight has been announced as the concert performer! Check out the details and order tickets at www.music-festival.org.

Sept. 8 - Music+Merlot=Making a Difference for Mental Health

Tickets for the Music Festival for Mental Health at Staglin Family Vineyard, scheduled for September 8, 2007, are now on sale. No other wine country event can match it for top-flight wine and musical talent, and relevance to, well, anyone. Through family, friends or our own challenges we have all felt the impact of mental health illnesses, from Alzheimers to depression to schizophrenia. This event brings together legendary wines and food by extraordinary chefs to raise incredible sums to fund high-impact research in the field of mental health. Visit Music Festival for Mental Health for details and ticket information, and I'll update this space when the musical performer is announced.

March Madness wines

What do you drink to toast your favorite college hoops team? Well for some of us that may depend on who that favorite team is. Me, i'd always pair bubbles with basketball but that's because I'd pair bubbles with anything, but I'm a loner in our household on that point. Given that we'll be eating some barbecue in honor of my husband's Tennessee-based alma mater Vanderbilt, I'd make it a rose Champagne or sparkling wine, for sure. Codorniu Pinot Noir Rose Cave from Spain is a deal at 14 bucks. Or splurge - a little for Iron Horse California Rose, or a lot for Moet et Chandon Rose Champagne from France, which is tasting better than ever. And if bubbly and barbecue is not your speed, go for an Aussie Shiraz. The Wolf-Blass Yellow Label is the best Shiraz at the value price point that I've had all year - it's one of the few under $15 that still has real varietal character - spiciness and raspberry fruit. For a worthy tradeup, check out Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz - lots of cinnamon-clove spice and lush blueberry-fig fruit. Hope your team wins (unless they're a Vandy opponent!). Enjoy.

See You at the Classic in Aspen, June 15-17

Registration is open for the Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen, June 15-17 2007. I will be presenting a Riesling Around the World seminar as well as a Tour de Bordeaux, complete with classified estates worthy of the cellar. It's always a sell-out, and registration is open now, so click here for registration info.

New Year's Resolution - Make sure every day is worthy of a toast...and then do it.

Get that workout in, recycle, kiss your kids...then toast to the little things that make a big difference. It need not be an expensive wine to be a delicious "everyday" celebration. Go to my monthly recommendations for some great values I've tasted recently.

Happy Holidays!

Wine-nuts toasting by an open fire...Click here for a few yummy holiday gifts. This is also the only place to get personalized, signed books. Put the inscription you want in the Gift Message or Notes section of the order form. Happy holidays!