We like to end the class in style: a giant edition of show and tell and taste. Each participant brings in a wine to present to the class, which means we get to taste about 25 wines that evening. The most recent session of my six-week introductory wine class at NYU wrapped up last week. It is an assignment! Good times! MORE >>

Today the Wine Media Guild had the rare and very special opportunity to taste test 'cork vs. screwcap' for the second time. Those of us lucky enough to be present in 2007 (myself included) tasted the 2002 vintage of various cru wines from Domaine LaRoche in both cork and screwcap. Michel Laroche of Domaine LaRoche. RED WINES. MORE >>

It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Yesterday was the Polaner Selections tasting and I dropped by for a while in the second half. Mostly the range consistes of blanc de blancs from Mesnil, but the rosé has 25% pinot noir from Ambonnay. Quite fun. MORE >>

And they taste so very good. This wine is all Bouzy, a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, but it reminded me of a wine I tasted a few years ago by Moutard that is made with the obscure grapes of Champagne, things like Arbanne and Petit Meslier. cannot tell you how excited I am about this. Some wine too. MORE >>

tasted through over a dozen of the top examples at a recent press event organized by David Schildknecht (pictured, right), critic and writer for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The idea is to get better extraction without crushing the grape seeds, which can impart bitter-tasting compounds. euro) a bottle. Things have changed. MORE >>