Food & Wine Tips from Food Network's Anne Burrell

Monday night's Vinitaly at Eataly event was quite the success with over 600 registrants at the consumer tasting alone. But for Lil' Miss WinoBee and her partner-in-crime (@GlutenGossip) we wanted to make sure our experience was more than robust, so in addition to expanding our palate and having (too much) fun drinking new styles and varieties of Italian wine, we actually took some time to meet up with Food Network's Anne Burrell, host of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef to get her top food and wine tips.

Anne is notorious for her spiky blonde hair and former role as both Mario Batali's sous chef onIron Chef America, while also having worked under the likes of Lidia Bastianch. Anne also formerly taught at ICE and lucky for me, I'm scheduled for their "Essentials of Tuscan Cooking" class this weekend. Maybe she'll make a cameo for old times sake!

More recently Anne has kicked off her own show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, where she reveals the concise, easy-to-master techniques of a top level chef by showcasing professional secrets to preparing food that is creative and full of flavor (but never too frou-frou or scary -- thats why we love her, she's real!) You can tune into her show on Saturdays at 10:30am EST onFood Network.

2009 Soave Re Midas

A new wine is set to hit shelves in the United States next week and I was privvied to sampling it before everyone else does (god bless my Italian counterparts)!

Soave Re Midas is a great new, everyday wine that fully expresses the Veneto region's stereotypical luscious fruit flavors. Made of 100% indigenous Garganega grapes this light-bodied wine boasts a clear yellow color with hints of gold and a combination of white blossoms and lemon on the nose. When you take a sip, you're transported back to the summer months with bright citrus notes and a toasted almond finish .

It actually reminded me of a California Chardonnay in some ways, as it was very crisp and combined earth and fruit.

Cost: $9.99/bottle

Where to Buy: Columbus Circle Wines

De-LUSH-ious Boxed Wine: Duca White & Red

Four words that can often make a grown man or woman cringe... wine-in-a-box. And that's because for a while, the little budget cardboard un-delights have burned bridges with many palates (and stomachs) and likely even made a few college kids black out from too many wine stands (I'm not discounting myself in this demographic).

But truth be told, boxed wines are steadily making a comeback. In fact, sales value of boxed wines have increased by 46% and volume by 27% - that's pretty substantial! After all, boxed wines...

• Have a longer shelf life after opening -- the tap-off design helps lock out air and prevent the wine from aging as rapidly as re-corking your bottle. You usually have a bout 4-6 weeks before the wine will go bad!
• Are a bargain buy -- it's all about economical consumption and boxed wine typically holds the net of four (750mL) bottles worth of vino, or the comparable of about 2o glasses of wine. And in our book, the more, the merrier... especially when it doesn't pinch our wallet.
• Use environmentally-friendly packaging -- we love smaller carbon footprints!

Enter Duca del Frassino, who has created two fabulous boxed wines - a white and a red - that leaves drinkers (and Kathy Lee & Hoda) thinking "inside the box" for a whopping value of just $19.99!

Duca White

Made From: 80% Garganega, 20% Pinot Grigio

Tasting Notes: Very light straw color and a hint of white flowers on the nost, this easy-to-drink white wine is made mostly of the Garganega grape which is indigenous to the Soave region. On the palate, a light fruit and citrus taste with a crisp but also somewhat juicy finish.

Pair With: Sip it as an apertif or pair it with lighter dishes like seafood or even salad!

Duca Red

Made From: 80% Cabernet, 20% Corvina

Tasting Notes: High quality blend the offers a deep purple color and opens with aromatic red cherry aromas and dark fruits on the palate.

Pair With: Goes great with meat dishes, Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese. For a predominately Cab wine, this glass it surprisingly balanced enough to drink on its own too!

Follow Friday: Wineries Uncorking Social Media

Wining + blogging = my passion, so naturally I'm a social media-lite who has to follow all the wineries out there to keep up on what's going on, what's good, what to avoid, etc. And as the digital wino world continues to expand (thank goodness it is!) we're hoping you'll expand with us. Here are a few more #FollowFridays for the week to make sure your wining vicariously in your "digital" life:

• Chateau Morisette
• Cinnabar Winery (@CinnabarWinery)
• Francis Ford-Coppola Wine
• J Vineyards (@JWinery)
• Palmina Winery
• Conundrum Winery (@ConundrumWinery)
• Murphy-Goode Winery (@MurphyGoodeWine)

Harvest Leaves are a'falling!

How 'bout a nice "Hump Day" treat? Check out this de-lush-ious sparkling wine cocktail perfect for the fall season. Serve it up at Halloween, Thanksgiving or even self-serve post-long-day-at-office!

HARVEST LEAVES

By Eryn Reece, New York City

• 1.5 oz Godiva Chocolate Infused Vodka
• 1/2 barspoon Allspice dram
• 1/4 oz. Ginger liqueur
• Sparkling white wine
• Orange zest (for garnish)

Add vodka, ginger liqueur and allspice dram to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a flute. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with orange zest.

Yields: 1 drink

Ideal Serving Glass: Flute

Party tips from Top Chef: Just Dessert's Dannielle Kyrillos

With monthly #WineDown events, you know by now that party planning is totally my shtick (is that even a real world?) So naturally when I was introduced last week to Dannielle Kyrillos, judge on Top Chef: Just Desserts and Editor-at- Large for DailyCandy, I was elated to get the best-of-the-best tips from her. Here are some of the great suggestions she offered me to share with each of you:

For a Dinner Party

• Keep it simple - plan your menu in advanced so you aren't rushing around
• Organize a smaller affair that is easier to manage - sometimes smaller affairs are more intimate and fun
• Set your table so your guests have enough room to eat and mingle. Decorate the table with seasonal looks such as golden apples or pumpkins in a clear vase, or incorporate seasonal florals
• Use name games and ice breakers for your guests so they can get to know one another - encourage them to share the weirdest job they've ever had or their favorite spot in the world

For a Romantic Dinner for Two:

• Ambiance is everything - candles, flowers, and dark linens are all ways to create a romantic feel
• Don't forget that chocolate is an aphrodisiac, which is always an added bonus!

For Larger Cocktail Parties (cough, cough, #WineDowns)

• Avoid making it complicated - utilize areas of the home with food stations as opposed to serving buffet style
• Welcoming guests with cocktails is a great way to set the vibe for the party
• Use a theme such as "Living the Sweet Life" where you serve sweet and savory dishes alongside signature cocktails

Bring on #WineDown Fall and Christmakah!!

September #WineDown Rewind

September #WineDown came and went much like the summer we see shifting rapidly right now to fall (I swear it dropped 20 degrees overnight!) With the changing of season also comes a changing in wine selections, at least for me. I tend to enjoy the light, crisp wines for summer months and more tannin-infused, dry wines in the winter. But hey, to each his own, which is why my BFF's over at St. Supery were kind enough to sponsor our little shindig so I could share the beauty of their wines, all different styles, will all of the wino-wannabes joining me in the festivities.

And boy were they glad they joined! We attempted a progressive tasting over the course of the evening, and it went a lil' something like this:

2009 St. Supery Rose -- a perfect selection for end of summer, as its light and doesn't require a meal to accompany it. On the nose, pomegranate and rose hips. On the palate, light but crisp citrus and raspberry flavors with a dull sweetness that finishes on the tongue. Great character and like beautiful pink color! Cost: $18/bottle

2009 Sauvignon Blanc Dollarhide -- by far one of my favorite varietals for summer months as sauvignon blanc tends to offer exquisite citrus flavors, as does this particular one. On the nose, grapfruit, honeysuckle and nectarines. On the palate, rich grapefruit and some floral notes. Cost: $37/bottle

2006 St. Supery Merlot -- perfect, youthful selection for the coming months, as this wine is accented with all the ingredients of Fall - cinnamon, clove and nutmeg! On the palate, you'll experience currant and fig. $50/bottle.

2005 Rutherford St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon -- I cannot wait to curl up to a fire come winter time with this love. Perhaps my favorite St Supery wine, this cab is luxorious. On the nose, dark fruits like cherry and plum. On the palate, a blend of fruit and spice where black cherry meets licorice. Cost: $35/bottle.

To purchase any (or all!) of these wines, check out the Wine Shop at St. Supery.