Firing up the grill makes us think about new food and wine combinations. But cooking outdoors doesn’t mean we abandon our basic principles of matching, adjusting, and mirroring. They still apply; we’re just more flexible. Summertime is for relaxing!

Other than by necessity, have you ever wondered why wine and cheese go so well together?

There is a lot written about the benefits of supporting our local food producers. So what does the so-called “100 mile diet” mean in terms of wine?

When you walk into the wine store or look at a restaurant wine list, do you always select something familiar?

Whether you’ve planned a big party or arranged an impromptu dinner, it’s nice to have a selection of wine ready to open for any occasion.

Whether formal or informal, having proper wine glasses at the table completes the place setting.

Learn which wine to serve, and when.

WINES HAVE A “SEASON”, just as foods do. That lighter-style Pinot Grigio that you loved on the deck last summer might not be as comforting as a glass of Amarone or warming port in front of the fireplace in the wintertime.

A supply of ready-to-drink wines on hand means no more worrying if your local LCBO is still open, or what to do if friends drop in on the spur of the moment.

Today, the average wine enthusiast has learned how to turn a passion for great wine into a luxury that can be enjoyed right at home.