"I like a good farmer!" says Jeanne-Marie De Champs, owner of Domaines et Saveurs Collection in Burgundy. Jeanne-Marie represents over seventy producers and exports them to various countries, including the USA and my favorite wine stores. Jeanne-Marie is responding to my question about how she chooses the producers she represents. I have told her. MORE >>

La Maltroye. Winemaker and Chateau de la Maltroye owner Jean-Pierre Cournet has the exotic look of a jet-set film star as opens the door and greets us in his gorgeous 18th century Chateau in Chassagne-Montrachet. It is high on a hill, with a gorgeous view of the village and darkening sky. And there's something a bit mysterious about it. MORE >>

“Your grandfather actaually used that press!” I can’t help but exclaim, looking at the large, crude, roughly hewn 12th century wine press in the equally antiquated looking cellar. Anyone might believe it was used by ancient Mesapotanian slaves rather than a hard-toiling Burgundian winemaker atop a small hill in the appellation of Fixin. link]. MORE >>

SIPPED: Bordeaux brands. How big is your brand extension? Cheval Blanc, one of the wines in the LVMH stable, will include a Paris luxury hotel of the same name. Decanter.com ]. Oh my cot! Things you learn in the WSJ : Cahors is the only region of France where malbec is still grown. Actually, Cahors only grows two-thirds of French malbec per ONIVINS. MORE >>

Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010 lime, stone, honeydew and fresh grass. Superb. Steele Carneros Pinot Noir 2009 ** milk chocolate covered strawberries, confectioners sugar on the finish. Fine tannins. Very soft. Faust Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ** dark chocolate, cherries, light brine with some olive notes as it finishes MORE >>