Many folks on the Seacoast crown the holidays with a fabulous feast shared with family and friends. For us, the incredibly busy time of fourth quarter in the retail world comes to a screeching halt. We can finally take a breath, sit back, and enjoy all that is really important about the holidays . . . sharing time with the people you care about.

A vegetable delight

Photographed by Jim Stott

Little did we know when starting to investigate the humble radish that this healthy little vegetable comes in so many varieties and stars in so many wonderful recipes. The name radish comes from the Latin word for “root” and is a plant in the same family as horseradish and turnip. With a mild peppery flavor and distinctive crunch, radishes are a great spring garden plant. They are easy and quick to grow, and they thrive in almost any season, in any climate. Because radishes do not require a lot of space or attention, you can grow them in containers or in a traditional garden bed. Either way, expect a harvest about one month after sowing the seeds—ideal for those of us who love instant gratification!

Try a crisp white wine this spring

Italy’s pinot grigio stems from pinot gris, a white grape from Burgundy, France. During the 1300s, the grape made its way to Alsace and then other parts of Europe, including Switzerland and Germany, later arriving in Italy, where it was given the name pinot grigio. James Busby, credited as the “father of Australian wine,” brought the grape to Australia in the 1830s. Eventually it landed in the United States.

Mixing it up

Photo by 3523studio

Vermouth, the ultimate cocktail builder, was originally believed to be a magical potion used for medicinal purposes stemming from the presence of certain botanicals.

The versatile varietal

Spring, the season of many types of weather, is a fine time to drink wines based on the chenin blanc grape, which offers styles of wine to suit every taste.

A great and noble grape

One of the best bets you will find on any wine list is malbec.