The roster of famous names making wine reads like an awards show guest list: Greg Norman, Mike Weir, Dan Aykroyd, Francis Ford Coppola, Sting, Wayne Gretzky, Madonna, and even Brangelina.

While I’d never suggest the others are dialing it in, Matthews has been hands on in choosing his Californian wine partners, and the resulting juice (if you’ll forgive the obvious pun) sings in the glass.

The DT 2011 Chardonnay ($16.95 – $19.99) is a well-rounded, buttery chard with woodsy spice that just may have all you  “anything but chardonnay” zealots burning your membership cards. Its red sister, The DT 2010 Crush ($16.95 – $19.99), is a mega, merlot-led blend of California North Coast fruit with a rolling flavour of plums, raspberry jam and brown sugar that will duet well with a red meat-themed, long weekend barbecue.

Who’s next? My bet is on Kardashian Vineyards.

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While some are complicated, most cocktails are a lot easier to make than you might think. Warm weather favourites like the Bloody Caesar (invented in Canada), the Margarita and the Cosmopolitan are no-brainers.

I love to get my Mojito on this time of year. The Cuban classic, which combines white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water, mint leaves and a bit of muddling, is one of the most refreshing drinks in the mixology handbook.  

Bacardi — Cuba’s hometown hero — is the standard white rum of choice for a Mojito. I kneel to liquid tradition, but find the new wave of white spiced rums make an even better impression in the glass. Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum ($24.49 to $29.99) mixes white spices, vanilla and a subtle sweetness that works wonders with the Mojito’s minty personality.

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Though far from scientific, a great example of this can be found on wine bottles. Wine marketers spend exorbitant amounts of time trying to figure out ways to make their brands stand out on the shelf, and the label is a wine’s way of making a first impression.

I have two words for those who scoff at artsy wine panels: Mouton Rothschild. The über famous Bordeaux winemaker has been commissioning famous painters to spruce up its labels since 1946.

California’s Bear Flag Smooth Red ($12.95 to $13.99) may not be as posh as Mouton, but its label adds new meaning to the term decorative. It’s a cartoon explosion of images that includes a magic bus, a big bear and a not-so-subtle jab at the labels of the great French Chateaus. It’s a natural to wash down grilled burgers and will look great doing it.

The bright flavours synonymous with a spring menu can easily be found in a glass. White grapes like riesling, Viognier and Gewürztraminer offer floral aromas and plush fruit expression, no matter where they’re grown. They also make ideal partners for casual dishes, especially this week’s mint-led recipe.

Softer red grapes such as pinot noir, grenache and merlot make a perfect partner for mushrooms, especially if they come stuffed with a little spice.

A happy middle ground is a rosé or blush wine. Though often accused of being the soda pop of the wine world, White Zinfandel’s status has risen, lately, thanks to the popularity of wines with a sweeter edge.

Incredibly food-friendly, Beringer’s California Collection 2011 White Zinfandel ($9.95 to $12.49) is slightly drier than you might expect, with a thirst-quenching finish that shouts spring.

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I watched it again the other night, from the comfort of my own couch, and took a tally of the liquor brands that made their way into the flick. Heineken lager, The Macallan single malt scotch and Courvoisier VSOP cognac got plenty of screen time — all purchased no doubt. You’d have to be me to recognize the bottle of Bollinger champagne — its appearance obviously not purchased.

But short of Bond sipping a martini, nary a mention of his favourite tipple, vodka.

A vodka martini is a boozy cocktail that can turn off even the worldliest secret agent. That’s why producers have been scrambling to flavour their output with just about anything to make them more approachable both with and without mix.

Three Olives Cake ($24.95- $28.98) is a neutral spirit from, coincidently, England that, well, tastes just like cake. Though I doubt Ian Fleming would approve, it’s a fine way to celebrate 007’s 50th birthday. Just forgo the candles.

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Big holiday meals are a classic example. Though the turkey might be the star of the show, every side dish puts its two cents worth into how successful the outcome of the liquid pairing will be.

Wraps create an everyday conundrum. They’re sort of like an elaborate meal rolled into one conveniently edible package.

This week’s lead recipe combines smoked salmon (that works with many wines, from a pinot noir red to a white, german off-dry riesling), creamy avocado (a chardonnay fan) and capers (which prefer a rosé).

The trick is to find a harmonious middle ground, and with this dish, all roads lead to pinot grigio. Typically a light, lean, easy-going style of white wine, it meets many ingredients halfway. With its subtle honeyed flavour and citrusy backbone, Mezzacorona’s 2012 Pinot Grigio ($11.95 to $15.99) has a bit more heft than the average PG, making it a versatile wrap wine.

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I’m on board with any show that could possibly involve a feast or two. After all, where there’s a chance of wild beast being served there’s bound to be booze.

It’s no cliché that white meats generally call for whites wines. Their texture and subtle flavours can get steamrolled by many reds, but not all. Chicken, especially one coated with a fruit or honey glaze, is a perfect match for the bright berry flavours that ooze from the pinot noir grape.

Thrones’ tales of infighting and epic battles remind me of France, pinot’s original home that’s no stranger to clashes of historic proportions.

The 2011 Baron Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d’Oc ($11.95 to $13.99) from southern France has a soft, mushroom-meets-strawberry aroma and more than enough mouth appeal to match with honeyed chicken and fantasy world conniving.

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While I hate pigeonholing certain wines to particular seasons, fresh, floral whites really do come across like spring in a glass. It doesn’t hurt that they pair well with the bright, fresh food fare that tends to get served this time of year.

Wines made with the riesling, gewürztraminer and viognier grapes lead the charge when it comes to whites with plush fruit flavours and aromatics.

Viognier in particular is one of my favourites. Originating in France, it’s grown worldwide, always packing its classic tropical depth and subtle pepperiness that pair so well with lighter meats (like pork) and fruit-accented sauces (especially those with a citrusy influence).

Cono Sur’s 2011 Bicicleta Viognier ($9.95 – $11.99) from Chile is a budget friendly version with soft lime and lemon accents and just a wink to the grape’s spicy persona.

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Though I’m only one quarter Irish, that part of me takes over as the hours grow closer to St. Patrick’s Day. That means this weekend I’ll be eating and drinking like a giant leprechaun. Irish stew is a personal favourite. And while a seductive pint of Guinness is a match made in heaven, you don’t have to stick to the Emerald Isle when it comes to a beverage pairing.

Red wines like meat, with any medium-bodied version made from malbec making a tasty partner. On the white side, think sauvignon blanc or, if you want to get adventurous, a white grüner veltliner from Austria. A unique beer alternative with an Irish theme is Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Cask Stout (330 ml, $3.49 – $4.49). It’s a Scottish brew aged in barrels previously filled with Irish Whiskey. Dark and chocolaty, it brings together the flavours of both cultures. Sláinte!

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There’s something comforting about knowing what you’re going to find in your glass. And the more familiar the liquid, the less stressful the buy.

If you really love wine though, you’re going to have to break out and experiment if you’re ever going to expand your horizons. And there’s no better way than drinking from an unfamiliar country.

While Portugal isn’t exactly undiscovered (it’s been pumping out the world’s best fortified wines for centuries), it has languished in Spain’s shadow.

José Maria da Fonseca’s 2010 Periquita ($7.95 to $11.99) is a good bottle to help you get acquainted.

This balanced, dark-berried red has Mediterranean flair and a price tag that’s easy on the wallet.

Six months aging in oak provides it with more than enough structure to match with your favourite meaty pasta dish.

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