EDGE New York City

With longer days come longer evenings; the sun no longer sets before we leave the office - and instead, there’s plenty of time to grab a couple bottles of wine and rustle up a meal for those whose faces we want to see again.

British families like the Symingtons have been at the heart of this northern Portuguese region’s port wine trade for generations. Dominic Symington, one of seven in the family wine business, has an ancestor - Walter Maynard - who shipped port to Britain i

"In wine is truth," or so said Plato, or perhaps Pliny the Elder, depending on your sources. Either way, were those ancient philosophers alive today, they’d probably be bewildered by the current array of wines available, specifically in San Francisco.

On a beautiful September afternoon, members of the LGBT networking group Dot429 enjoyed wine-tasting and lunch prepared by Iron Chef America star Dominique Crenn, as well as art-viewing and scenic schmoozing at Ma(i)sonry, a stylish restaurant in Napa.

Known as the signature grape of Chile, Carmenere has had a fascinating history in this viticulturally diverse country. Rich flavors of ripe fruits and spice balance smooth and well-rounded tannins; Carmenere pairs with red meats and complex spicy dishes.

The crowd at Drink was ready to party as three of Boston’s top mixologists headlined the evening’s event: The Appleton Estate Reserve Remixology Bartender Challenge.

The delicate work of a sommelier has become more important as U.S. airlines fight for premium passengers willing to shell out up to thousands of dollars to fly business class on international and transcontinental flights.

Celebrity Chef Jon Ashton (www.jonashton.com) created a recipe for Whipped Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Strawberries to pair with the Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio 2010. A spin on the Italian favorite, this bruschetta is perfect for warmer weather.

The most indigo of all grapes, Carmenere disappeared from European vineyards in the mid-19th century, ravaged by phylloxera, the native louse indigenous to North America. More than a hundred years later, the Bordeaux-born grape resurfaced.

Each summer Bonnaroo rises out of the fields of a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The four-day music, art, and camping festival celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and brought its food offerings to a whole new level.