Food Facts & Fun

Spain is a beautiful land filled with history, art and culture. It's also filled with wonderful wine. The Penedes region in the Catalonian countryside west of Barcelona is second only to La Rioja in the worldwide popularity of its wines.

By Andrew Aguecheek

The Ribera del Duero wine region is overwhelmingly devoted to a single grape that makes a single wine, the Tinto Fino, also known as the Tempranillo. This lone grape is responsible for approximately 95 percent of all wine production in the region.

By Sarah Siddons

Rural and rustic, without the urban bustle of Madrid and Seville or the sweeping architecture of Barcelona, Bierzo is home to several up and coming wineries.

By Eleanor Duse

Italy is widely recognized as a top tier wine producer and Veneto, one of the nation's wine regions, is a great attribute. The region produces many DOC wines and plays an important role in the entire country's wine industry.

By Sarah Siddons

Lying on the fringes of the eastern border of France with Switzerland and Italy, the Savoie wine region is ideal for both skiing and wine.

By Richard Winter

Tasmanian wines are starting to get noticed and it might not be long before the island is known more for its Pinot Noir than it is for the Looney Tunes character Taz.

By Elizabeth Abbess

Although the Basilicata wine region is one of Italy's smallest -- it devotes barely more than 1 percent of its land to wine production -- it is known for turning out one of Italy's most well known and celebrated red wines, the Anglianico del Vulture.

By Sarah Siddons

Can you slice and dice like a professional chef? If not, you're not alone. But the best chefs know that there's more to knife skills than how to julienne.

By John Fuller & Natalie Kilgore

Any backyard vintner can turn grapes into alcohol, but only a few can craft a good bottle of wine. With these five hints, you might just go from booze to Bordeaux.

By Robert Lamb

If your sweet tooth is aching, what are you likely to reach for? Ice cream, cheesecake, any cake? If you're American, you're most likely to pick one of these 10 desserts.

By Alia Hoyt & Sascha Bos

You don't need a clunky yogurt maker to whip up a batch of the deliciously smooth dairy concoction at home. In fact, you've probably got everything you need in your kitchen already. How do you make your own yogurt, and why would you want to?

By Julia Layton

You may be familiar with the names of most of the herbs and spices on our list, but do you know which ones will accent a particular dish best, or better yet, which offer health benefits to you and your family?

By Jonathan Strickland & Natalie Kilgore

Cheese is an accessible delight: You can find it at superstores, grocers and of course, your local fromagerie. But why not press a batch for yourself?

By Julia Layton

Most restaurants resemble a powder keg covered with a veneer of hospitality, and it's up to the sous chef to make sure that it doesn't blow.

By Josh Clark

The Jura region is one of many regions in eastern France that produces world-class inimitable wines. The region is situated south of Lons le Saunier and north of Arbois, in the western hills of the Jura Mountains.

By Rosalind Jackson

For any true wine connoisseur, Tuscany is a must-see. The region produces some of the most reputable wines in the world. And for many, it's almost impossible to hear mention of Tuscany without picturing its rolling hills covered in grape vines.

By Sarah Siddons

Australia is often overlooked as a wine-producing powerhouse, yet its viticulture is rich and full of history. For a young country and state, Australia's Queensland has been in the wine producing business since its establishment almost 150 years ago.

By Sarah Siddons

Bordeaux -- to most people, the name simply means a type of wine. However, it's also a prominent French wine region. And while you might think the region focuses only on its namesake, wine production in Bordeaux is actually quite diverse.

By Vivien Bullen

You've been asked to bring a bottle of Burgundy wine to dinner at a friend's house. You know very little about wine, so you think she just means that you should bring some red wine -- the color burgundy is a shade of red, right?

By Rosalind Jackson

If your first thought about Sicily is of a certain group of gangsters in the "Godfather" trilogy, you're in for a treat when you discover its wine.

By Vivien Bullen

It's New Year's Eve. You have your fancy outfit, a date and a party to attend. What's missing? The bubbly! There's nothing like a big bottle of champagne to help you celebrate.

By Libby Little

Lombardy is usually associated with food production rather than vineyards -- neighboring regions bottle much more wine. Nevertheless, some superb wines are made there.

By Andrew Aguecheek

If you're planning a trip to Italy, Liguria might not be the first destination on your list. Tuscany is next door, with the art and shopping of Florence and the historic sweep of Siena. But don't overlook the flavors of this small region.

By Eleanor Duse

Like milk, wine can spoil, and changes in temperature or light exposure can speed up the spoilage. Wine cellars work to protect bottles from the elements, and they also give you a nice place to show off your collection and store those vintage labels.

By Olivia Page

Sure, you know Champagne and Bordeaux, the celebrities of the French wine world. But how familiar are you with the wines of the Rhone Valley wine region? It is an ingenue by comparison.

By Sarah Siddons