When St. Patty's day roles around, some local leprechauns may be looking to shake up their green beer traditions with a true Irish treasure - enter Mead. Not sure, what Mead is and why it has anything to do with St. Patty's Day? Then take a quick trip through Mead Basics here. Ready to dive a bit deeper into the world of Mead? Then Mead Recs and Reviews are ready to help you fine tune your selections.

In anticipation of St. Patty's Day, I wanted to highlight a true Irish Meade this week. For those of you unfamiliar with Mead, it is an ancient honeyed wine that has been circulating for centuries. If you've been to the Bunratty Castle in County Clare, you will recognize this particular Mead as the second Mead served in the Castle's lower quarters, the first Mead being a warm, mulled red Mead that I've yet to find for sale anywhere. Maybe it was the fog, the chilly November air, or the wait to gain entrance to the castle itself, whatever the influence this was by far the very best Mead I've had the privilege of trying. The Bunratty white Meade is still a tasty treat, and at its best when served slightly chilled, in my opinion.

With just over a week to go for St. Patrick's Day celebrations, About's Food Channel is delivering up some well-themed food and drink ideas. Consider About's Guide to Baking, Carroll Pellegrinell's, Barm Brack - an Irish version of a combination of fruit cake and Christmas Pudding. The fruit in this cake is soaked overnight in black tea prior to baking. Or looking for a green dessert for your St. Patty's Day party? Try this
recipe for Pistachio Cake. It makes an unbelievably moist and tasty cake.

Still searching for Irish inspiration? Then check out Stephanie Gallagher's Irish Soda Bread Recipe. This American version of Irish soda bread is sweet and cake-like. It makes a lovely companion to Irish stew or corned beef and cabbage.

Need something green for St. Pat's then Stephanie's also offering her Watergate Salad Recipe. Though she admits, "There is absolutely nothing authentic or Irish about this St. Patrick's Day recipe, except its green color. This retro salad has been a favorite for parties and potlucks since the 1970s and will add a touch of whimsy to any St. Patrick's Day celebration."

From Kevin Weeks - Cooking for Two

There is nothing more Irish than Guinness. Made using water from the Liffey River, it is one of the most famous beers (specifically a "stout") in the world. A staple of English (and Irish) pub fare is Steak and Guinness Pie, a wonderfully hearty meal on a cold and blustery March day. Be sure to buy an extra pint or two to wash down the pie.

Photo Courtesy Paul Poplis/Getty Images

Just as iPhone wine apps are updated with new releases on a regular basis, so the wine apps for iPhones need to be periodically reviewed and updated. So here are the latest and greatest wine iPhone applications available via iTunes.

Ranging from free to $5 an app (with free updates pushed to your iPhone on a regular basis), these wine "companions" are a low risk, budget-friendly way to delve a little deeper into the wide world of wine. Check out the full iPhone Wine App updates or let us know if we've missed an app that needs to be reviewed and shared with other wine lovers.