Food Facts & Fun

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

As a rule, alcohol can be expensive. But even those who don't shy away from paying $150 for a bottle of Dom Perignon or $350 for a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne may be shocked to see just how much some wine collectors spend.

By Vivien Bullen

Whether you've got a library of aged Italian wines or case of two buck chuck, you need a place to store those bottles. Why not build a wine rack?

By Richard Winter

While some scientific research indicates that drinking wine has a healthy benefit, that doesn't mean you have a free pass to indulge -- especially if you're dieting. The calories in beverages containing alcohol can really add up, wine included.

By Vivien Bullen

If you're throwing a wine-tasting party and want to kick things up a notch, buy a wine aerator. It'll make the wine taste better, and you'll impress all your friends.

By Rosalind Jackson

For a few years, scientists have been speculating what effect wine has on the prostate and prostate cancer. Early research did not show much useful information, but new studies suggest a link between wine consumption and prostate health.

By Vivien Bullen

They say good things come in small packages. This might not always be true, of course, but it certainly applies to Italy's Aosta Valley wine region.

By Eleanor Duse

Whether you prefer red or white wine, Italy's Emilia-Romagna region delivers flavorful choices to delight your palate.

By Andrew Aguecheek

Potentially violent volcanic activity lies deep beneath Latium, one of the most important winemaking regions of Italy. It helps the area produce wonderfully distinctive grapes and wines.

By Eleanor Duse

Your date tells you he's in the mood for a French wine. You nod enthusiastically, but really you don't know a thing about wine, French or otherwise. What sets this region's wine apart?

By Vivien Bullen

On the east coast of Italy, south of the boot cuff, in the temperate region known as the mezzogiorno, is Abruzzo.

By Eleanor Duse

Movie stars, musicians and professional athletes have had the celebrity corner locked down for decades. But these days, there's a new breed of celebrity that wields a whisk and a wooden spoon instead of a guitar or baseball bat.

By Alia Hoyt & Emilie Sennebogen

Where can you find the world's best pasta? The obvious answer is Italy, where the food staple originated. But did the Italians take a culinary cue from the Chinese? Were Marco Polo and Kublai Khan swapping recipes in the 13th century?

By Cristen Conger