Sure enough, Eric posted the wines served, complete with tasting notes. And, on a related note, what Michelle Obama has done with the organic garden at the White House is terrific. For the full menu (pdf) , click here. Appetizers: crostini. USA, Virginia, Central Region, Monticello. Halibut course and salad course. Find it. Serve it. MORE >>

The pinnacle of the wine summit will be a premium tasting with Parker (who will be meeting King Juan Carlos during his trip, Parker’s first to Spain since 1972 ). Limited to 450 attendees, the VIP tasting costs 217€ but can only bought in conjunction with the 783€ conference ticket. Sound like the start of a bad joke? MORE >>

In the mouth, the taste was more mature than I thought it should be at it's young age, soft and mellow with a hint of chocolate. Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. Alcohol: 13.0% MORE >>

Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. Then again maybe I just have to taste a few more and that's not a bad thing now, is it? From that day on I was a fan. MORE >>

** Disclaimer: I received these wines from Martellotto Wine s One of the benefits of writing a wine blog is the occasional UPS delivery of wine to taste and review on the blog. don't know why I have a problem with Zin's, but for some reason I never did get into the very full body, high alcohol and very peppery taste I always got, until now. MORE >>