This is the first of an investigative series on Sicilian wines. Part Two of this series will be a focus on the young, dominating wine industry of the Etna DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) on east coast of Sicily, on and around Mount Etna. For most people, the Mediterranean peninsula of Italy conjures metaphors and sensations of gastronomic ecstasy and high culture. The foods and wines are like its history, sated with drama and prudence. From its politics to its geography, the nation is connected by its diversities of culture, and no where are differences more frequently and poignantly in play than the southern region of Sicily.

Want to visit the wineries with the most beautiful gardens and landscaping on your next visit to Sonoma? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the best wineries for group picnics. The list below is in no particular order. Chateau St. Jean Kenwood - A "must visit" stop on any Sonoma wine tour. As its name implies, Chateau St. Jean has a majestic, stately feel to it. Nestled at the base of a mountain side with beautiful gardens and impressive architecture, it is an ideal place for wine lovers seeking a picture-esque tasting experience. More...

Want to pair wine with food on your next to trip to Sonoma? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the best wineries that cater to foodies as well as oenophiles. The list below is in no particular order. The Mayo Family Reserve Room Kenwood - The food and wine pairing sister to the main Mayo Family Winery tasting room in Glen Ellen. At the Kenwood Reserve Room, it's all about food and wine pairing and Mayo does it very well. Approximately seven different wines are paired with small samples of food, expertly prepared by an in-house chef. More...

For people who don’t want to do a complete make-over of their basements or a section of their home in order to build a custom wine cellar, a great option is the wine room. These storage units provide everything the home wine connoisseur needs to age and store wine.

Looking to host a Sonoma wine barbecue? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the best wineries to grill out while you sip Rosé under the sun. Note that each winery has different policies regarding grill usage and availability. Be sure to check with them in advance. The list below is in no particular order. Robledo Family Winery Sonoma (City) - Robledo is is located on a residential street just off Highway 116. Robledo is owned and operated by Reynaldo and Maria Robledo and their nine grown children and has a distinct family feel to it. Unique in that it is one of the few Mexican owned wineries, Robledo has a Mexican look and feel to it which adds to its charm and is a welcome alternative for those seeking something different in a winery. The Robledo family takes great pride in their wines. Worth checking out if you are seeking to taste good Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir. More....

Looking for the perfect Sonoma spot for a cozy blanket picnic? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the best wineries for a sunny blanket picnic. The list below is in no particular order. Gundlach-Bundschu Winery Sonoma (City) - Gundlach-Bundschu Winery is expansive and massive with a big focus on visitors enjoying the surrounding property. Plenty of tables and shelters exist for picnicers. Gundlach-Bundschu is ideal for people seeking a cozy place for a blanket picnic. Hiking trails exist for those looking to explore the grounds or have a more scenic picnic. More....

Planning a group picnic in Sonoma? IntoWine.com has scoured Sonoma County to find the best wineries for group picnics. The list below is in no particular order. Viansa Winery Sonoma (City) - Viansa offers a gourmet Italian style deli to go with the tasting room and the common theme is for visitors to pair great wine with great food.

Each year at 12:01 AM on the third Thursday of November, millions of bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau begin a journey from a little French village to locales across the globe. Wine stores and cafes enthusiastically greet these shipments with signs and banners proclaiming "Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!" "The New Beaujolais has arrived!". With this begins the annual celebration of the arrival of the French wine Beaujolais Nouveau, a celebration steeped in tradition, frivolity, grandeur, legend, and of course, fabulous wine.

I enjoy talking wine with anyone and everyone, and as a result, have some interesting and provoking questions posed by casual wine drinkers. Beyond the varietals, regions, styles, labels and terminology is a very fundamental question asked over and over again. Why is some good wine cheap while the small lot stuff is so damn expensive? Isn't it all just fermented grapes? Is there really a perceivable qualitative difference tied to the price tag?

It’s hot. The Fourth of July witnessed blistering temperatures around California, and this time the Bay Area was no exception. In my last column , I bemoaned the cool temperatures that typically beset the San Francisco metropolitan area in June and July and used the unseasonable chill as an excuse to explore one of the heavier wine regions of France, the syrah-saturated Northern Rhône. But our recent string of 75-plus-and-sunny days shows my pessimism to be ill-advised.