This weekend downtown Chandler will be piled high with more than 20,000 pounds of BBQ at the Great American Barbeque and Beer Festival. The roster of restaurants dishing up ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken includes old favorites Famous Dave’s, Honey Bear’s BBQ, Joe’s Real BBQ and Tom’s BBQ, along with some newcomers including Porkopolis.

The first rule of drinking on a diet is: Don't. Surely you've heard that Americans get way too many calories — and nutritionally empty calories at that — from alcohol.

As busy as life is these days, quality time with our girlfriends gets scarce. That’s why we favor meet-ups that are more effortless than mega-planned.

Caketini (2270 E. Williams Field Road, No. 114, Gilbert [480] 786-3500). Scottsdale has its Sprinkles, Gilbert has Caketini — a cute shop run by a family that’s been baking for generations. Sweet lovers will find gourmet cakes, truffles and massive, prettily decorated cupcakes. $

Autumn’s a great time to fall for apple appeal, with cooler temperatures setting the stage for the fruit to star in gently steaming pies and alongside fragrant roasts.

CARLTON, Ore. — Driving southwest from Portland an hour or so through the suburbs, you hit the heart of Oregon’s wine country rather suddenly. Here the mountainous Coast Range slopes to the Willamette Valley floor, which is smothered with vineyards that produce some of the best pinot noir on earth.

ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) Wine Tasting: Stop by The Living Room in Chandler for light hors d’oeuvres and a walk-through tasting of different sweet white wines. No reservation required.

It may surprise many of you to hear that there is at least one winery in all 50 states — even Alaska and Hawaii — and Arizona is no exception. Not only are there many wineries in Arizona, but they are making some really good wine, too!

Enjoying good wine in the great outdoors is fun, but toting glass bottles on the trail is no picnic.

Ever wondered about how to pair wine with food? Or do you simply want to do it better? Follow these four tips for pairings that bring out the best in your wine and in your meal.

It’s getting cooler out (at least at night), and the holiday season will soon be upon us. What better way to celebrate than with a nice bottle of bubbly? If you think of Champagne and holidays as synonymous, you’re not the only one: 50 percent of all Champagne is sold between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve!

Napa, Calif. - As the crisp bite of fall turns vineyards into a kaleidoscope of russet and orange, the Napa Valley's spooky side comes out to play with tales of mysterious noises and ghostly sightings.

The run-of-the-mill pub crawl will take a backseat Saturday to a higher class of booze-fueled shambling.

More East Valley local treasures

In the book, and now movie, “Eat Pray Love,” author Elizabeth Gilbert eschews the trappings of her everyday life to pursue pleasure, devotion and balance in Italy, India and Bali.

A few years ago, some friends gave me one of those refrigerator magnets that reads: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” I loved the sentiment at the time, and have now decided it will be my mantra for the new year.

Who says it's better to give than receive? I'd be thrilled to receive any of the bubblies below, and reluctant to give them up. That said, it's gauche to show up empty-handed to a holiday or New Year's Eve party, especially when good, affordable bottles abound.

Last year, I battled the crowds at Toys R Us for a Nintendo Wii. This year, it's those creepy little Bakugan critters. There must be some conspiracy against us parents each year to find - and secure - the "it" toy for our beloved brats. What is a Bakugan anyway?

Wine’s time to shine comes the same time every year — right now. Whether as a gift, part of a larger basket, holiday dinner party fuel, family get-togethers, or whatever, it seems there is always a bottle or two in the picture. And for good reason: The holidays are made for wine.