The name Petraea refers to the type of oak that the barrels used for this wine are made from, and the final blend contains about 60 percent pinot noir, with the remainder equally divided between chardonnay and meunier. And so I decided not to be frightened by MMIII, even though it features grapes from the roasting-hot 2003 vintage. MORE >>

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores. MORE >>

2002 Hermann J Wiemer Blanc de Blancs (8) I love this NY State winery's Rieslings, and it was fun to taste the sparkling wines. 2003 Hermann J Wiemer Blanc de Noirs (7+) Made almost entirely of Pinot Noir, this was strawberry scented and pleasant. 2004 Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rose (7+) 66% Chardonnay here. Also very good. MORE >>

good bottle of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or Chardonnay from Long Island usually costs the same as a better bottle of wine from elsewhere. started out by following Lenn around, took his guided tour of Long Island whites, tasting many a Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. My "5"s: 2006 Channing Daughters Scuttlehole Chardonnay , $15. MORE >>

My 4's 2002 Domaine du Closel Savennieres les Coteaux Moelleux , $28 - this is a rare sweet wine from Savennieres, crafted only in certain vintages. 2005 Jean Manciat Macon Vieille Vignes , price unknown (about $30) - old vine Chardonnay from the Maconnais, a Burgundian region known for value whites. hauled my butt into Manhattan (!) MORE >>