Sometimes things just fall into your lap.  And if you follow me on Twitter (@ScottsJonesin), you know that was definitely the case for me while attending a wine tasting yesterday when a glass of 75 Wine Co.'s super-tasty Sauvignon Blanc graced the table like an angel sent straight from Heaven. (And its sister wine, Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, is pretty darn special too.)

When it comes to grilling, it doesn't get much more Southern than shrimp burgers—and one of my favorite recipes is Shrimp Burgers with Sweet 'n' Spicy Tartar Sauce. This is also the time of year I gravitate toward rosés, which are, generally speaking, super-refreshing and perfectly suited for the kind of grilled seafood recipes I love.

The forward-thinking folks at Underdog Wine Merchants have introduced a line of high-quality wines (that are, frankly, a real bargain!) in their Octavin Home Wine Bar collection -- all packaged in stylish 3-liter octagonal boxes.

One of my favorite events each year is the Sandestin Wine Festival in late April.  The weather's always great (read not too hot) and the location is second to none.  This year's event is April 23 to 25.  If you're looking for that perfect Spring get-away, I can't recommend it enough. 

Just in time for the holidays, I'll be leading a class at Jefferson State Community College's "Culinary & Hospitality Institute" on Saturday, December 6th.  For those of you in the Birmingham area, the class -- open to the entire community -- will focus on the basics of serving and enjoying wine -- I'll also demonstrate a few recipes that are perfect for your next get-together.

The class will be from 3 to 5 at the College's Shelby-Hoover campus.  In addition to the instruction, we'll sample some great wines and nibble on a few appetizers...and generally have a good time in a very laid-back atmosphere -- this is not a class for wine snobs.

For more information or to register on line, check out the Jefferson State Community College website. 

I sure hope y'all have flipped through the November issue -- it's just stunning.  I'm really proud of the story "Break Bread Together."  Senior Food Writer Donna Florio perfectly captured the true spirit of Thanksgiving as a group of New Orleans friends gathered to give heartfelt thanks.

I'm always on the lookout for smart, unbiased wine recommendations, and the folks at Fearless Critic Media have assembled a super little guide called THE WINE TRIALS. 

The authors, Robin Goldstein and Alexis Herschkowitsch, have done a terrific job of examining some of the most popular, value-based (under $15) wines in an easy-to-read format that's sure to be a hit with the novice and enthusiast alike.

I'm not exactly sure why it's taken me so long to write about Château Potelle's (outstanding, well-crafted, easy-drinking, food-friendly...I can go on and on) Riviera Rosé.  I reckon it's because this rosé is such an integral part of my on-hand wine arsenal, I just assume everyone else knows about it.  (All my friends sure do.)

If you regularly follow my blog, you know that two of my passions are running and wine--and depending on the time of year and my training schedule, one is ever-so-slightly more important than the other. 

Right now, I'm in the middle of training for the Chicago Marathon this October (check out my Team World Vision page), so I've had to temporarily cut back on my enological field study in lieu of more electrolyte-rich beverages, but I still like to relax with a glass or two of wine on the weekend.

Summer's probably my favorite time to visit Napa and Sonoma -- the nights are cool, everything's lush and green, the roads and wineries are not nearly as crowded as they are in the fall, and, compared to the South, there's almost no perceptible humidity (which I'll take all day long).

Join me as I look back on a recent trip (which was out of this world!) where I visited Flora Spring Winery, Bennett Lane Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, and J Vineyards. 

In addition to sampling outstanding wines, along the way, I also cooled my heels in a sweet hotel and was able to kick back in one of my favorite restaurants in the country.