Ah, the Whoopie Pie. As much a staple of the Maine culinary map as the lobster roll, Jordan’s red dogs and Moxie, these gobs of goodness are requisite for anybody seeking a true Maine experience. There is some debate as to whether the whoopie was born in Bangor or in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1920’s, and it appears that Amish kids, heard to yell “whoopie!” when seeing the pies in their lunch bags, might have a legit claim to the name. But the use of marshmallow Fluff, invented in Somerville, MA, tips the scales towards New England. Besides, Pennsylvanians have their own pastry to claim. Let them eat Tastykake, I say.

Tuscany. Bordeaux. Beaujolais. Napa Valley. Portland, Maine.

Huh?

Yes, Portland, Maine is now a winemaking kinda town. The world is a global village, and items and services that were once available only through great expense and travel are now at our front doors. Thanks to advances in home recording technology, you no longer need to go to Los Angeles or Nashville to make a record. Thanks to camcorders and YouTube, you no longer need to go to Hollywood to make a movie. And thanks to Maine Vintners at 1037 Forest Avenue in Portland, you no longer need a passport to make a great wine.

What’s this all about, you ask? Sure, it’s about Maine. But more than that, it’s about getting to know Maine, for the first time and for the umpteenth time. I’ve lived here for 24 of my 34 years. I know a lot of Maine through my every-day eyes, but I want to see more through my tourist eyes. I want to get inside and see what makes Maine...