Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. 2000 (white peach) and 2002. MORE >>

Bordeaux was deemed to be the place, and an influx of people of all nationalities, Scottish, German, Danish, came in to establish wineries and plant vines. Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006. Chateau Pontet-Canet: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and Les Hauts de Pontet 2005. MORE >>

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. 2000 (white peach) and 2002. MORE >>

To the tape: Mr. Staples pointed to the example of Château-Lafite Rothschild, a first-growth Bordeaux, which soared from £675, or $955, for a 12-bottle case in the 2002 futures to £4,000 a case for 2005 — which he called “the best vintage I’ve ever tasted.” He estimated it cost the château €10, or $13, to make a bottle of the wine. MORE >>

I, for one, never understood the close relationship between Girard and Rudd, and sought out the history from Steve Ross, Director of Wine Education at Girard Winery. In 1995 Leslie Rudd purchased the Girard Winery brand and estate property from the Girard family. History, like beauty, is in the mind of the beholder. Elegance. MORE >>