Like most of the new millennium resorts in Vegas, The Cosmo (as the locals are calling it) is huge. So huge, in fact, that it's home to 13 restaurants, several of which are under the direction of world-famous chefs and/or restaurateurs.

Now that we have insulted a number of publics and at least one gender, let's get on with the sales pitch. By the time we're done, you're going to think you're at a car dealership (oops--just offended another group!).

You say you want nothing but the best? You say money is no object? Most importantly, you say you want to blow your neighbor's grill out of the water or backyard or wherever?

How do we transform an ordinary picnic into a memorable one? One word: wine. That means your first order of business is to find a picnic location where wine is allowed. Lots of public parks prohibit BYOB, so be sure to inquire before heading out...

What to do?

Keep your expensive crystal stems at home, and instead bring along some stylish stainless steel wine glasses...

A number of wineries, such as The Hess Collection in the Napa Valley, have large permanent art galleries for visitors to enjoy. Others feature rotating exhibits by local artists.

In Sonoma County, the Medlock Ames winery has commissioned Douglas Gayeton to create four pieces of art, each depicting a season of the year on the winery's Bell Mountain Ranch...

As Dana Wildes, a fourth-generation Vermont maple syrup producer, recently told National Geographic magazine, "We go through cycles, and we're in a cycle."

Many believe that climate change is the primary culprit, as the critical springtime "freeze-thaw" process that sap goes through has declined by about 10 percent (or 3.2 days) in the past 40 years...

Don't worry about what kind. In the "real world," if the hosts enjoy that particular type or style, they'll likely put it away for their future enjoyment. If they don't, they may open it up on the spot for your fellow party-goers to enjoy. They may even "re-gift" it. Rest assured, the bottle will be consumed by someone at some time; it won't go to waste...

It's easy - if you know which seasoning to select.

Here are a few ideas, straight from the Vinesse test kitchen...

There is an Israeli woman who claims to be 120 years old, and credits her longevity to drinking a glass of olive oil each day. A full glass may not be necessary, but we do know that vitamin E helps prevent heart disease and numerous other disorders.

For a special (not to mention expensive) indulgence, try the limited-production, ultra-premium olive oil from the Kritsa region of Crete, known as Lambda...

The cork stopper was invented to re-seal wine bottles - either temporarily, as in while a meal is being consumed, or overnight, if a bottle hasn't been finished off. The  cork portion of the stopper is tapered so that it can fit easily, but still snugly, in the bottle top...