"BACKUPPLAN" IS THE Answer TO THE FOLLOWING CROSSWORDS

1. "just in case" strategy, and a hint to a hidden letter sequence in 17-, 24-, 37- and 52-across
2. It's often labeled "b"
3. 'just in case' strategy
4. Safety option
5. Safety net of a sort and a literal feature of 17- 23- 39- and 52-across

OTHER CLUES

1. Chianti or asti spumante
2. Big bar order
3. Baking icon
4. Builder's backing
5. A winter's tale character with perfect stuff about
6. Atl. state
7. A gandhi
8. Meditative practice