Paul Giamatti : played role of Miles in Sideways (2004); crushed the fortunes of Merlot with a single line while the film boosted interest in Pinot Noir. Thanks to everyone for the fascinating discussion suggesting nominees for the Wine Person of the Decade. Now it’s voting time! You can only vote for one person. MORE >>

I bought a lot of Oregon Pinot when I rediscovered wine about 6 years ago. still love Pinot, but moreso the wines of Burgundy, Cheverny in the Loire Valley, or the Jura. Are there Oregon Pinots that I enjoy today? No, but that's because my tastes have changed, not because they are bad wines. 2005 Thomas Pinot Noir , $45. MORE >>

The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. He tasted the pinot noirs and syrahs he had been making since starting his own label, Copain Wines , in 1999. MORE >>

There is another wine in the portfolio, a wine that has quietly amazed me since the first time I tasted it. I'm talking about Empriente, the Pinot Noir based wine made from a single vintage, although it is not a vintage wine. We drank the 2004, and this wine is still in the early part of its life. MORE >>

Just too many varieties of grapes yet to be tasted for a first time. This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. MORE >>