1. Wine & Cheese -- The wine and cheese combination is so overly promoted it's almost funny. Except, great wines should not be accompanied by cheese. Because cheese has a heavy, thick texture, and often a pungent smell, it overwhelms the taste buds and rids the tongue's ability to fully enjoy the richness and balance of a good wine. A bad wine, on the other hand, could use some cheese.
2. Vintage Means Expensive -- Nope. A vintage wine simply means all the grapes used to produce the wine were harvested in a specific year, for example, 2000. Because we often hear terms, such as vintage clothing or vintage cars, the term has been commonly misused to describe expensive wine. It is fun to say, however.
3. She's Got Legs -- The tears or streaks that drip down inside the wine glass after swirling or taking a sip are called "legs" and indicate the full-bodiness of the wine; however, it gives no indication of the wine's quality. For the most part, legs have more to do with surface tension, alcohol content and gravity than perceived quality.
4. Cab Is King -- Most of us have heard about the BIG cabs, so it is often thought cabernet sauvignon is the most planted grape? Not true. While cabs may be the most well-known type of red, it is not the most planted grape. So, what is the most planted grape in the world? Merlot.
5. Let It Breath -- Uncorking a bottle and letting it aerate for an hour will do little to improve it's taste because the narrow bottleneck prevents air from opening up the wine. If you think your wine will improve with a little air exposure, use a decanter or pour your wine into wine glasses and let it aerate quietly for a while before serving.

• 4 swordfish steaks
• 3 tb sp. fresh mint leaves -- chopped
• 3 tb sp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tb sp. fresh basil leaves -- chopped
• 1 garlic clove -- minced
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup virgin olive oil

1. Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, mint, garlic and basil in a bowl to blend.
2. Season the lemon and olive oil mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Brush the swordfish on both sides with 2 tablespoons of the sauce.
3. Grill the steaks until just cooked through (about 3 to 5 minutes per side depending on thickness). Spoon the remaining sauce over the steaks and serve.

• Domaine Saint Amant La Borry Côtes du Rhône 2007

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Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What time does the New York City subway system close?
a.) 10 p.m.
b.) Midnight
c.) 3 a.m.
d.) Never

Question 2.) Which James Bond book begins with "James Bond, with two double bourbons inside him, sat back in the final departure lounge of Miami Airport and thought about life and death"?
a.) Dr. No
b.) Goldfinger
c.) The Spy Who Loved Me
d.) Thunderball

Question 3.) "Mirror in the Bathroom" was a hit in 1980 for which ska-influenced band?
a.) Bad Manners
b.) Selector
c.) The Beat
d.) The Specials

Question 4.) Which movie did Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star in together?
a.) Cocktail
b.) Far and Away
c.) Interview with a Vampire
d.) Risky Business

Question According to legend, the Tower of London is always home to at least six ravens. What will happen if the ravens leave?
a.) A plague will afflict the British people
b.) The tower will crumble and the kingdom will fall
c.) British cops will be ruined by blight
d.) The queen will become ill

Answers | Back to top^