Alsatian wines are a line of fabulous primarily whites that are terrific accompaniments to holiday meals. Last month, I attended a wonderful dinner at Craigie on Main in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in which chef-owner Tony Maws created a tasting menu that perfectly complemented several different wines from Alsace.

I recently attended the Joy of Sake in New York City, the largest sake-tasting event held outside Japan, with over 350 sakes. There were examples of every brewing style from every region of the country. Categories included Junmai, Ginjo, and Daiginjo A and B. Tasting tables were decorated with linens and flowers; many sake bottles are works of art on their own. To really understand and appreciate sake, you should taste as many as possible. There are different grades from dry to sweet.

I recently returned from a California wine tour in Napa Valley and Sonoma. I met with wine producers and wine makers, tasting new releases and hearing predictions for the upcoming harvest. Here are a few special wine discoveries from my trip.

Brewers know that the change of season is upon us. With the days getting shorter and the weather getting cooler, try these seasonal craft beers as your beach blanket transitions to an afghan.

Toast summer all day long with everyone’s new favorite wine from Italy, Prosecco! It is a dry to softly sweet white wine, almost always bubbly, and the joy lies in the versatility of the grape, which can take you through the whole day.