was Kermit Lynch's agent in Beaune from 1977 - 1981 also. The American wine icon Becky Wasserman is in New York City to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Le Serbet , her wine exporting company. She is considered to be one of the architects of the Burgundy wine market and she is respected and admired by everyone I know. had two young sons. MORE >>

On our anniversary last year, my wife and I enjoyed a 1981 Lopez de Heredia, Bosconia, gran reserva, a delicate, gorgeous wine that evolved with each course we ate. But sometimes we still need encouragement to take time to smell the flowers and such is the case with enjoying mature wine. Is mature wine relevant? MORE >>

The first wine we drank was the 1981 Krug Collection , about $700, imported by Moet/Hennessy/Diageo. Money isn't everything when it comes to Champagne. As with most great wines, there are fantastically expensive bottles and modestly priced bottles, and when thinking about the wines as a group, price does not necessarily indicate quality. MORE >>

1981 Bodegas Riojana Gran Riserva - I don't know which Gran Riserva this was, as there are several, but whatever it was, it was fantastic. I was lucky enough to be invited to Keith Levenberg 's BBQ again this year. Last year at this event I drank a few great wines that were completely new to me. Top notch wine. Really intriguing wine. MORE >>

The tasting featured some fabulous vintage wines, the star being the Faustino 1 Gran Reserva 1981 with its faded brick color and aromas of strawberry and leather and Faustino 1 Gran Reserva 1999 which is surprising youthful and the currant vintage in the UK market today. Ah, Rioja! The wines were delicious as well! The evening was very hot. MORE >>