The successful pairing of food and wine is not as mysterious as many experts make it seem, nor is it as simple.  The very best pairings are transient and ephemeral, a moment in time that is all but impossible to duplicate. That said, there are certain general rules that apply in most situations.  In these pages, I offer excerpts from the pairings I have written about over the last decade and explore both general and specific aspects of the art.