Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel ( The Wine Curmudgeon ) and Dave McIntyre ( Dave McIntyre's WineLine ) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. DLW) During Regional Wine Week, writers across the U.S. DLW also commissions articles about some of the biggest trends in regional wine. MORE >>

Marlborough, New Zealand's South Island seems to have a handle on Sauvignon Blanc. recently had a chance to sample a few along with a Chardonnay, Reisling and a Pinot Noir. Sarah is one of three winemakers at Cloudy Bay (teamed with Tim Heath and Nick Lane) in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand. No traffic lights, no people and 1 coffee shop.” MORE >>

Although we mentioned it last week in a squib, it bears mentioning again: the French authorities have threatened Olivier Cousin, the horse-tilling vigneron that is a mentor for many younger ones, has been threatened with a $50,000 fine and two years in jail. His transgression? Goofing around with names. French wine wine politics MORE >>

One full week of gorgeous weather in now over. got out of work tonight and walked into the chilly and rainy night. At least the thought of opening a nice local Finger Lakes wine at home helped keep the blood pressure under control. Once home, I opened a Ravines Wine Cellars Meritage 2007( $24 ). Glad I saved this one for Regional Wine Week. MORE >>

I attended a private dinner recently where a Brunello was the main wine. It was big and extracted and I found it fatiguing. can’t even remember the producer’s name. Of course, the palate fatigue wasn’t helped that the other wines on the table were a primitivo and an Amarone. In 1958, Manfredi Martini bought some land in Montalcino. MORE >>