This Brat Rhymes With Yacht

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Wisconsin is known for its cheese--as we detailed here yesterday. But it's also recognized as the brat capital of the United States, as any fan of the Green Bay Packers or Milwaukee Brewers would tell you.

And nowhere in that state is the brat more joyously celebrated than in Sheboygan, where the spicy, mouth-watering sausage was introduced by German immigrants.

The Right Cheese and Wine for Your Pic-a-nic

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At long last, it's Yogi Bear's favorite time of the year.

That's right, Mr. Ranger Sir, it's pic-a-nic basket time.

We may pack a basket to accompany a concert at a favorite outdoor venue, to enjoy under the trees at a county or state park, or to savor in the sunshine while lounging on a pristine beach.

The Best of Both "Worlds" for Dessert

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Cheese for dessert?

It has been a European tradition for decades.

Here's a dish that combines Old World tradition with the New World's daily pursuit of sweetness.

A Sumptuous Summer Casserole

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It's summertime, which means we're eating lighter. Try this tasty dish with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc. This recipe makes 6 servings.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH HERBS

Ingredients

Cheddar Cheese: Endless Wine Possibilities

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You're on a road trip. You're getting hungry, so you start checking the billboards and other roadside signs for dining ideas.

Rather than another meal at another chain restaurant, you're hoping to find something different. Perhaps a ma-and-pa tavern where you can sit down and enjoy a homemade burger with a slice of melting cheddar cheese.

Restaurant critics probably wouldn't consider that a gourmet experience. But be honest: Does anything taste better than a just-off-the-grill cheddar burger? Add a glass of wine, and life truly is good.

A Tawny Port Pairing Primer

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When Port is first made, it's red--much like any other red wine.

But over time, red wine will gradually turn to various shades of brown. It's simply part of the aging process. And that's how Tawny Port got its name: Typically aged for 10, 20 or 30 years prior to release, the typical Tawny Port is auburn brown in hue.

A Fun Dessert for the Holiday Weekend

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Looking for a fun and unusual dessert to serve at your Memorial Day weekend barbecue or backyard picnic?

Karen MacNeil, author of the best-selling book, "The Wine Bible," suggests Weinsuppe, which she describes as "a sweet soup made by adding sugar and aromatics to red or white wine."

And she suggests serving it with cookies.

It's Time to Pull Some Pork and a Cork

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This Cider-Barbecue Pulled Pork dish can match equally well with Gewurztraminer (a white wine) or Zinfandel (a red).

How's that for versatility?

The recipe that follows will produce 6 servings.

Barbecue-Friendly Wines

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We recently came across a guide offering wine suggestions for summertime grilling, and one of the recommendations was Merlot.

We love Merlot. We drink a lot of Merlot. It's wonderful with so many dishes. But we do not drink Merlot with barbecue.

Why? Because there are so many other types of wine that are better matches.

How to Handle That Wonderful Spanish Spice

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Spice is sometimes thought of as an enemy of wine, but that's largely a misnomer.

While extremely hot spices and sauces will mute the flavors of wine, rendering them almost undrinkable, less assertive spices can actually help bring out certain flavors in certain wines.

This is particularly noticeable in Spanish cooking which, unlike some Asian cuisine, uses spices to complement a dish rather than define it. Let's take a look at a few aspects of Spanish cuisine, and suggest some food-friendly wines...

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