Whether you're planning a five-course dinner party or simply uncorking a bottle of Chandon Brut Classic for an impromptu toast, it's best to spend a moment considering the ideal serving temperature of the wine you're about to enjoy.

You'd expect a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay to go better with different foods. But did you know that two sparkling wines made from the same grape variety can have remarkably different aromas, flavors and food pairings?

Sparkling wine and oysters go waaay back together. Champagne has long been a staple ingredient in mignonette sauce, and every oyster bar worth its salt offers a selection of brut sparkling wines by the glass.

A lot can happen between the time you purchase a bottle and the time you open it.

A lot can happen between the time you purchase a bottle and the time you open it.

Just because you see a date on the label doesn’t always mean it's a superior wine. In fact, many sparkling wines and Champagnes — even expensive ones — are non-vintage. This simply means that various wines from different harvests have been blended together in order to create a consistent style.

How many times have you served sparkling wine as an apéritif...then put the bottle in the refrigerator when you sat down for dinner? We believe that bubbly has a rightful place at the table, and we're not just talking about brunch.

You've heard the expression "letting wine breathe." It's just a fancy way of describing what happens when the wine meets the atmosphere of your dining room, kitchen or tailgate party. It absorbs a bit of oxygen, which softens and enhances its flavor profile.

We are pleased to announce our 2011 Auction Napa Valley E-Lot Winners - Ron and Paula Seward