What the evidence actually says about moderate wine, the Mediterranean table, and why a glass with dinner is not the same as a weekend bender. Pick up almost any newspaper lately and you’d think a glass of wine with dinner is basically a taped-up crime scene. Suddenly, wine is being talked about like it’s lurking in the shadows wearing a tiny villain cape. New York City’s health department even launched a new anti-alcohol campaign called “Buzzkill,” (seriously?), warning that

I've always had a thing for food. I mean, I'm Italian—it's practically in my DNA. Not in a casual, “sure, dinner sounds nice” kind of way. I mean cookbooks stacked in the kitchen cabinets, with the pretty ones displayed like decor, photos and menus studied like literature (not that I always prep the dishes, mind you), but I do have a deep appreciation for anything involving browned butter, fresh herbs, or well-timed lemon zest. But it wasn’t until I started learning about win

One whiff of a tomato leaf and I’m back in second grade in New Jersey — no warning, no buildup, just a clean sensory shortcut through time. It’s like my brain has a “Basement” button, and the tomato plant just hit it. My grandparents, who hailed from Sicily and Naples, are downstairs in their Morristown basement doing what they did every late summer: “making sauce”… except it wasn’t sauce yet. We were bottling tomatoes, preserving the whole season for later, like canning, but

Ready for your next food and wine adventure? With the new LocalWineEvents.com app, great plans are easier than ever to find. There’s a certain thrill in stumbling on a plan that feels like a hidden gem — a wine tasting happening just a few miles away, a pairing dinner that instantly gets dropped into the group chat, or a dreamy culinary trip that gives you something delicious to look forward to. The best plans aren’t just dates on a calendar. They turn into the nights you re

If you run a winery’s social media—or you’re a winery owner managing your own—you may have felt something shift over the last couple of weeks. Your content is still solid. Engagement might even be steady. But new people aren’t finding you the way they used to. You’re not alone. Recently, a large number of wine, beer, and spirits pages began receiving notifications that their Facebook Pages are no longer eligible to be recommended. (Reference article HERE. ) In plain English:

Maria—aka The Wine Blonde—has the kind of movie-star glam that makes you pause mid-scroll...and the wine knowledge that makes you stay. What truly sets her apart is how she pairs that shine with substance, making wine education feel confident, current, and totally refreshing. I brought plenty of questions to the table (as you'll read below) and she answered every single one with so much insight and enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to a day when we can toast to this conversati

Ever wonder why a single scent can transport you back in time? Dr. Isabelle Lesschaeve’s Awaken Your Senses masterclass at Innovinum blends science and emotion through scent — and it’s the perfect starter to level up your wine tasting game. Some wine classes teach you how to taste. Isabelle’s class teaches you how to describe what you smell. From the minute she started talking, her friendly, curious energy drew everyone in. And that French accent? Totally charming. Her bac

From cruise ships to the classroom, Petar Velickovic, DipWSET, has poured his passion into every step of his wine journey. Today he’s sharing his insights on wine, education, and more. Hope you enjoy this interview! ~ Lee , OfftheVinePr.com ✦ Lee: What first sparked your interest in wine, and how did that evolve into a full-time career in wine education? ✤ Petar: My first exposure to wine came while working on cruise ships. Back home, wine for me was simply red, white, or ro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2025 — LocalWineEvents.com , the world’s most comprehensive calendar of food, wine, beer, and spirits...

The first time I tried a wine from Domaine Viret, I was hooked. It wasn’t just delicious—it had this energy, this aliveness that made me...