Ben Hagan, one of the wine buyers at Slope Cellars in Park Slope, Brooklyn recommends (Slope Cellars prices listed) : Whites: 2006 Caves de Saumur Saumur Les Pouches, $13, LVDH Imports (100% Chenin Blanc). 2004 Sandro Fay Rosso del Valtellina, $13.50, Omni Wines importer (100% Nebbiolo). range. to buy one Euro. MORE >>

Savennieres is one of the great Loire Valley appellations, producing amazing white wines made from the chenin blanc grape. Many wines made in Savennieres can improve for decades with cellaring. 2004 Domaine du Closel Les Caillardieres , $22. My personal favorite Savennieres producer is Domaine du Closel. Mais bien sur! MORE >>

Sancerre, the darling of wine bars everywhere a few years ago, is made from Sauvignon Blanc. Many producers say that demi-sec (off dry) is the best expression of Chenin Blanc. 2004 Francois Cazin Cour-Cheverny Cuvee Renaissance , $17. You will see that the structure will allow for cellaring though. And $17 - c'mon. MORE >>

to lay down in the cellar for a while. 2004 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Bryan Creek Vineyard , $48. have been seriously disappointed with their single vineyard wines from the 2004 vintage. Loire Valley 2004 Cazin Cour-Cheverny , $12. Its been a really good wine drinking month. This wine was thin, shrill, and green. MORE >>

went for the Bubbles, the Beaujolais, the Cab Franc, and the Chenin Blanc. In honor of their 20th anniversary, the Dressner folk dug into the cellar and set out a load of wines from their inaugural vintage. The Blanc de Blancs was opened as I was standing there and needed time to come together. Next was Beaujolais. MORE >>