Despite some perceptions to the contrary, cru Beaujolais wines can be extremely rewarding wines. The region is in flux and home to some leading makers of “natural&# wines. Check out my current piece over on Forbes.com ! And when you hear “cru Beaujolais,&# don’t say “no way!&# as a friend recently did. MORE >>

Yesterday over lunch at Cafe Rouge with Steve Edmunds (Edmunds St. John) yesterday, (we shared butter beans fritto. had watermelon and jicama salad with a weird ass dressing, and he loved his tuna, thanks for asking.) Because I twisted his arm, I got to taste the new vintage of his vermentino blend, Heart of Gold. Shocking. classic combo. MORE >>

Looking for great buys in wine? Just look to Australia. Don't know what's going on Down Under but right now some of the best buys for wine are Australian. The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Our wine taste profiles are about 180 deg. apart, so I was a little hesitant, but he hit this one right on the nail. MORE >>

I was thrilled to be invited to attend a lovely evening at the James Beard House this evening. This evening's guest chef was Michael Solomonov, who together MORE >>

The Wall Street Journal reports today that Casella Wines, the maker of [yellow tail], has sued two companies associated with Fred T. Franzia over their new Australian wine, Down Under. Franzia’s Bronco Wine Co. also makes “Two Buck Chuck.&#. The suit, filed in U.S. Down Under] sells for about $3, or half the price of [yellow tail]. MORE >>