Scott's Pick Of The Week: 75 Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc

Sometimes things just fall into your lap.  That was definitely the case for me yesterday while attending a wine tasting—a glass of 75 Wine Co.'s super-tasty Sauvignon Blanc graced the table like an angel sent straight from Heaven. (And its sister wine, Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, is pretty darn special too.)

Pressure without the stress...

I prefer to eat my crow warm, so here goes.  For the last few years I've been a big ol' pressure cooker naysayer—I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.  Plus, they're just so dangerous.  All that bad mojo changed Monday night when I test-drove the new Fagor Duo pressure cooker.  I was 100% wrong about all my preconceived, negative pressure cooker notions.  I've now seen the light.  I've seen the value.  I'm hooked. (That chewing sound is me taking another bite of my crow sandwich.)

Pimiento Cheese: One of Life's Simple Pleasures

Barbecue, catfish, and grits are true Southern culinary icons, to be sure.  Yet despite their humble beginnings, these Dixie-born gems have gone on to become quite popular across the country.  As a result, it’s not particularly difficult to find foods such as Memphis-style barbecue or garlic-cheese grits in New York or LA (and I don’t mean Lower Alabama).

Enter pimiento cheese.

Wednesday's Pairing: Shrimp Burgers & Rosé

When it comes to grilling, it doesn't get much more Southern than shrimp burgers—and one of my favorite recipes is Shrimp Burgers with Sweet 'n' Spicy Tartar Sauce. This is also the time of year I gravitate toward rosés, which are, generally speaking, super-refreshing and perfectly suited for the kind of grilled seafood recipes I love.

I didn't think boxed wine could get any better. But it has.

The forward-thinking folks at Underdog Wine Merchants have introduced a line of high-quality wines (that are, frankly, a real bargain!) in their Octavin Home Wine Bar collection -- all packaged in stylish 3-liter octagonal boxes.

Beach, Wine, Fun—what could be better?

One of my favorite events each year is the Sandestin Wine Festival in late April.  The weather's always great (read not too hot) and the location is second to none.  This year's event is April 23 to 25.  If you're looking for that perfect Spring get-away, I can't recommend it enough.

Best of all, you don't have to be a wine expert to enjoy the festival.  This year's surprise?  Organizers have added a Culinary Pavilion, where folks can sample everything from cheese to savory nibbles.  The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming—perfect for the novice and the aficionado.  Advanced tickets are $80/day or $120/weekend (includes Culinary Pavilion).  Check it out.

Texas BBQ - Sweet, Smoky Memories

Barbecue is serious business.  I've always felt it was akin to the martial arts -- whether it's a shack in the Carolina's or a city affair in Memphis or Kansas City, everyone's convinced they're practicing the purest form.  And Texans are no exception.  A fact which comes through loud and clear on every page of TEXAS BBQ by photographer Wyatt McSpadden.