My first installment of Behind the Label, wherein I discuss wine labels, the story behind them, and what they can tell you about the juice inside the bottle.

As some of you may already know, I’m housebound thanks to a fractured foot. The bad news is, I’m on crutches for another week and in one of those damn boots for a month. But the good news is, I’ve had more time to catch up some recent wine news to share with all of you.

Winemaker Stu Smith is a Northern California original — direct, approachable, down-to-earth, and, yes, a real straight-shooter.

We’re living in the golden age of wine — never has so much good wine, from so many regions, been accessible to so many of us — but we do pay a price for that choice.

Some beautiful wines from Spring Mountain, which is quickly becoming my favorite region in Napa.

Wedding planning season seems to be in full swing — I’ve had no fewer than 5 friends announce their engagements recently. I’ve also had a few of these lovely ladies hit me up for wedding wine advice, and I thought I’d share my thoughts for them with all of you.

I’m adding a new feature to STBNY — an occasional, and highly unscientific, round up of my favorite wine news. Happy reading!

I’m very pleased to announce the winners of the ZAP Grand Tasting giveaway, Leo Argersinger and Jill Wilson!

It’s a big day here at STBNY HQ: I’m delighted to announce our first-ever giveaway contest!

Happy 2010! Here are my wine resolutions for the year — and my hopes for the world of wine over the next 12 months.