The blanc de blancs grand cru [cuvée 2008] has depth and minerality, a stony core that pleasantly lingers. The Hugues de Coulmet has a creamier quality that is more easy going, while the vintage 2005 has a still-wine character that brings depth. The 2008 Barbarescos are delectable treats. Below are a few impressions and photos.

That was made clear by how she talked about Anyela's and what had been accomplished since their opening in 2008. Then again, 2010 was a very good year for the FLX Rieslings and Finger Lakes white wines, but today I was interested in the red wines offered by Anyela's especially their 2008 Cab Franc. Entrance sign off W. Lake Rd.

And in 2005 when Erwan was 25, his father continued the tradition and put Erwan in charge (Erwan himself has no children, so his position is likely safe for 25+ years). So when Erwan took over in 2005, he was careful not to rock the boat. He replied that while the 2008 was very classic and fresh, he preferred the 2009.

Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?” the woman’s voice says, incredulous. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. absolutely loved this wine with its notes of Prince Edward cherry tobacco and truffle.

Dino Torti Forza Inter Pino Nero Oltrepo Pavese 2008 Italy Also soft pressed, complex aromas of almonds, fruits and flowers, flavors of nutty, apple and pear, dry but satisfying. I'd like to thank Kristen and her good friends for helping me taste this flight of wine picks for Thanksgiving. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish. SRP $40.

Flor de Garnatxa 2008 Garnatxa Blanca Celler la Bollidora, D.O. 1780 Castell del Remei 2005, D.O. "20 wines!" exclaimed a fellow particpant at today's Master Class tasting of Catalunya wines led by Josep Roca, Co-Proprietor, Sommelier, and Wine Director of the (Catalunya based) Michelin 3-star restaurant El Celler. The menu follows.

Beaune 1er Cru, Cuvée Nicolas Rolin 2005. Volnay-Santenots 1er Cru, Cuvée Jéhan de Massol 2005. Pommard 1er Cru, Cuvée Dames de la Charité 2005. Corton Grand Cru, Cuvée Charlotte Dumay 2005. Saint-Romain blanc, Cuvée Joseph Menault 2008. Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru, Cuvée Albert Grivault 2008. Saturday Events.

Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006. Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. Chateau Pontet-Canet: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and Les Hauts de Pontet 2005. Chateau Mouton Rothschild: 1995 and Petit-Mouton 2005.

looked at what I have and decided on the 2005 Domaine des Croix Bourgogne , $25, Becky Wasserman Selections. bought several bottles in early 2008 and loved when it was released, but found subsequent bottles to be too oaky. perhaps he got excited about the 2005 fruit and threw everything he had at it. Starkly different. Burgundy.I

Following a tasting of Médoc and Sauternes Grand Cru Classé wines from the 2005 and 2008 vintages there was a “9-star” dinner created by a trio of three-star chefs: Alain PASSARD (L’Arpège, Paris), Anne-Sophie PIC (Maison Pic, Valence), and Yannick ALLENO (Le Meurice, Paris). Que about the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

Indeed, the Live-ex aanalysis describes the 2008 and 2006 as 'remarkable value for money under 300 pounds per case.'. The 2005 and 2009 are trading at around 450 pounds each. This compares to a Liv-ex price for a second growth (2000 - 2009) of 740 pounds. News Spain brane-cantenac drinks business

The good bottles are fantastic, and they supposedly age very well, but I've had a few bad experiences recently (2005, 2007) and became discouraged. The 2008 Jacques Puffeney Trousseau Arbois Les Berangères , $32, Imported by Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant, if this bottle is any indication, is a great version of this wine.

But Parker has given the general comment that 2010 ranks as one of “the three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career&# alongside 2009 and 2005. Apparently the latest issue of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate came out yesterday with Parker’s reviews for the 2010 barrel samples and in-bottle tastings of 2008s.

2008 First Drop Minchia Montepulciano – Adelaide Hills. 2008 SC Pannell Pronto Tinto Grenache Touriga Shriaz Monastrell – McLaren Vale. 2008 Moss Wood Ribbonvale Cabernet Merlot – Margaret River. 2005 Penley Estate the Chertsey Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc – Coonawarra. So now you are asking: did it work?

This is a vintage of ripe fruit, one that appeals in the same way that 2005 appeals - the wines are delicious and perhaps will last a very long time. 2007 and 2008, these are vintages for connoisseurs. Then I tasted five of Domaine William Fèvre 's Grand Cru wines from 2009, along with one from 2008. were brothers.

Wines included: Angels Gate Winery Mountainview 2008. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2005. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2008. Closson Chase Vineyards Beamsville Bench 2005. Closson Chase Vineyards Closson Chase Vineyard 2008. Colaneri Estate Winery ‘Paese’ 2008. Flatrock Cellars 2008.

Following my interview with Jean-Marie Fourrier, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a Domaine Fourrier tasting that featured several wines from the 2008 and 2009 vintages. Equally instructive is tasting the same wines from 2008 and 2009. Not as perfect as 2005, but this is a vintage of big wines that should age well.

The Quilceda Creek Cabernet 2005 from Washington State’s Columbia Valley is collectible and coveted. Dumol Chardonnay “Russian River” 2008. Quilceda Creek Cabernet “Columbia Valley” 2005 (about $250; find this wine ). Poet’s Leap Riesling “Botrytis” 2008 ( find this wine ). But what’s in the glass? Check.

Icewine is not usually the first beverage to consider to pair with oysters, yet our lunch kicked off withGlacier Bay Oyster with Inniskillin sparkling Vidal Icewine 2008. Named Winemaker of the Year at the 2004 San Francisco International Wine Competition and Winery of the Year at the 2005 event, Bruce is a native of Niagara Falls.

The 2008 Geyserville, translucent in the glass, exudes come-hither aromas of dark fruit, herbs, spice and cedar. The 2005 (“40th Anniversary&# ) is more accessible today and reveals the benefits of a few years aging as the tannins have softened, leaving behind a gorgeous, brambly zin with delicious aromatics of plum and spice.

Wiemer , dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2008: the class almost unanimously liked the wine from our own Empire State; the winery website provided the basic useful info I was looking for, including photos, history, and tech specs and the wine. Also, only the 2005 gets any discussion. More Americans are drinking wine today than ever before.

Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. Visiting Pichon Longueville. AXA generously hosted the winners of the AXA Millesimes scholarship offered to students of the Master of Wine educational program a week in October 2010. The Cellar.

2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux, $20, Louis/Dressner Imports. 2008 Jean et Gilles Lafouge Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru La Chapelle, $30, Imported by Fruit of the Vines. 2008 Reinhard & Beate Knebel Riesling trocken, $14, Imported by Mosel Wine Merchant. Can you get geared up for a laundry list post?

Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?&# the woman’s voice says, incredulous. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. Monday: Tour of the Chateau Pichon Longueville Vineyards and Winery.

Don't know about you, but lately I've been feeling the 2005 Beaujolais itch. Anyway, I'd been itching to check in on the 2005's. 2005 Michel Tête Juliénas Domaine du Clos du Fief "Cuvee Prestige," $23, Louis/Dressner Imports. The last bottle I drank sometime in early 2008 was raspy and harsh, closed. Any news to share?

love the Vieille Vignes, but the last vintage that I've seen here is 2005 -that was two years ago. drank a lot of 2005 Grand Vignolle, didn't love the 2006, never saw the 2007, and liked the 2008 a year ago at a Dressner tasting. My favorite producer in Saumur-Champgny, outside of Clos Rougeard, is Domaine Filliatreau.

would have pulled out a nice Gewurztraminer if I had one, but settled for a Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore DOC 2008. Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

Stoney Lonsesome Estates 2008 Reserve. I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. What I do know is that she cooked skinless chicken breast in apple juice with oyster mushrooms, slices of gala apples and diced mint fresh from the garden.

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

What I'm drinking now is 2005 Montefalco rosso from Arnaldo Caprai -- blind tasting it initially, I knew it was italian from its (to me) signature high acidity and soil that seemed somehow volcanic. The oak is well integrated into the wine, and it tastes fresh and juicy despite its 2005 year. 2009 Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani 2008.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

This week I decided to open a dry and semi-dry from the same winery to compare and I chose one of the nicest Rieslings so far; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008. With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. Why, I'm not sure. Truly enjoyable.

My choice for the evening was a 2008 semi-dry Riesling( $14 ) from the Long Point Winery. This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. All from the Seneca Lake wineries.

recently had the 2005 Les Genets bottling, which is aged for 18 months in vat. Domaine Aubuisieres , cuvée de silex, Vouvray, sec, 2008 $18: really a gorgeous example of chenin–and a good value too. Francois Pinon , cuvée tradition, Vouuvray 2008. Chenin blanc is one of the world’s most underrated grapes.

The first one I opened was the Zugibe semi-dry 2008( $14 ). This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Evan is passionate about Finger Lakes wines and authors some of the most interesting articles on the subject.

The 2008 Alice and Olivier de Moor Chablis Rosette , $38, Louis/Dressner Selections is the first Chablis I've had from the 2008 vintage. We then enjoyed two wines from the 2005 vintage with my fish soup. 2005 is thought to be a great vintage because, as in most of France, conditions were essentially perfect. But close.

The two wines we tasted were the 2008 Riesling and the 2008 'dry' Riesling. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery. Enough history.

The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. Sound good? What else is better!

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

2008 Comptoirs de Magdala Vin de Pays du Mont Caume La Chance , $17, Jenny & François Selections - this wine kindly donated by Jenny & François for this tasting. 2008 Commanderie de Peyrassol Vin de Pays Portes Méditerraneé La Croix , $13, Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant. But the inexpensive red wines of Provence? Aren't they?

And the note from Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet: We started biodynamie for 14 hectares in 2004, in 2005 we did 100% on 81 hectares (200 acres), which is the total vineyard of Pontet-Canet so also for the vintage 2006. Over on Twitter, there was some confusion about the status of their Biodynamic certification. Here are their.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

The first 4 pairings with various Salumi: Ruffino Chianti Superiore DOCG 2008 From the Poggio Casciano Estate vineyards in Chianti, using choice grapes during the harvest, as per the Superiore and Chianti Classico production standards, and aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks and two additional months in bottle.

Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Castello di Borghese 2005 Merlot Aged in French oak barrels for 13 months. Since then its rise in popularity is obvious as visitors now call before-hand to ask what other events are happening. million per year.

Tonight I uncorked another Carmenere from Concha y Toro , the Casillero del Diablo 2008 Reserve. This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. I'm still not sold on Carmenere.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

As he poured the first of his wines, the absolutely delicious 2008 Mosel Riesling von den Terrassen trocken , $20, I told him how much I enjoy his most basic wine, the humble 2008 Mosel Riesling trocken , $14. The 2008's were showing beautifully, ripe but controlled, pure and elegant, and with a great balance of fruit and mineral.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

with the first course of shrimp, we enjoyed the Macabeo described above and Realce Crianza 2005, 100% Tempranillo with spice and concentrated red fruit. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O. in Spain that makes quality white, rose, and red wine.

The 2008 Eugene Carrel Savoie Jongieux , $11, (I can't remember the importer but I think it is David Bowler) was perfectly fine and I think most people preferred it to the other wine I brought, the fantastic 2005 Puffeney Arbois Melon-Queue-Rouge , $25, Neal Rosenthal Selections. It was my friend Deetrane's birthday the other night.

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. Cline Cellars is a national sponsor of the event and contributes $25,000 from the proceeds of 2008 Cashmere sales. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's.

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. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. 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. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

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. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

Every year from 2000 – 2008 (2009 data are not yet in but look to continue the trend), per capita wine consumption rose. Domestically, the boutique wine industry got a shot in the arm from the 2005 Supreme Court decision that paved the way to opening up shipping from wineries to consumers. Everyone’s looking back!

So, thanks to my friend Raelinn who turned me on to Beatrice et Pascal Lambert Chinon Tradition Graves 2006 $16 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Rouge 2008 $18 Domaine De La Bergerie Anjou "Sous La Tonnelle" 2008 $13 (chenin) Govone Barbera D'Alba Superiore 2005: $ 13.99 # 4- Affordable wine in N. Virginia!

** 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. It can also be disappointing when the wine received is one that I don't normally drink or one that I have a hard time with. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

11.99 **Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) 2008 Beaujolais Chardonnay Your guests will fall in love with you, even the california drinkers. 11,99 **Pepiere (Marc Ollivier) 2008 Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Ditto for the kind of melon! 12.99 **Chaumont, Guy 2005 Bourgogne Pinot Noir I'm afraid to tell you about this. Lovely.

Produttori del Barbaresco, Barberesco, 2005 (about $33): I poured this wine the first day to illustrate tannins. Luzon, monastrell, Jumilla, 2008 (about $8): This wine was funny since it was the cheapest wine we tasted for the day, yet the most popular as people reached for their pens to scribble this one down. How could it not be?

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

So, to satisfy our thirst for a nice red wine to pair with my Chicken Parmesan, Shirley's Cavatelli Aleta (a cream sauce with Asiago cheese, prosciutto, baby peas, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers) and my daughter Pam's Fettucini with Joey's fabulous marinara sauce, we chose a Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005.

2008 Overnoy/Houill on Poulsard Arbois Pupillin , $36, Louis/Dressner Selections. 2005 Jacques Puffeney Arbois Poulsard "M," $26, Neal Rosenthal Selections. Puffeney's Poulsard is great too, regardless of how the 2005 showed on this night. Jura wines are kind of obscure, outside of the wine-geek world. Change, change, change.

It will be more expensive than the 2005 was, about $23, and I will happily buy it. loved the "entry-level" 2008 Muscadets by Luneau Papin, particularly the 2008 Luneau-Papin Clos des Allées , about $15. liked François Pinon 's 2008's even more than I did the 2007's at this early stage. Lower yields perhaps? want it.

If forced to choose, I would buy the 2008 Chateau Fouquet , with its bright nose of red fruit and a clean, energetic, and ripe palate. few bucks more buys the 2008 La Grande Vignolle , price unknown but probably about $20, a wine made from old vines in the huge Grande Vignolle vineyard. Diddy made an appearance, as did Martha Stewart.

Now I have a few and tonight I chose a 2008 Reserve Reisling from Fox Run Vineyards. Thankfu lly for me, a no sugar guy, the 2008 vintage is a dry Riesling, 1.0% Only in years when ripening conditions are outstanding will this wine be produced and the 2008 is well worth it. The downside of this Riesling is the price.

Emilion 2005 (FR) Raphael Merlot 2005 (LI) Craggy Range Gimblett Gravel 2004 (NZ) * *My blind favorite Flight 5 Cabernet Franc Shinn Estates Cabernet Franc 2007 (LI) Catherine Et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Franc DE Pied 2007 (FR) Dare By Viader Cabernet Franc 2005 (CA) ** Bedell Cabernet Franc 2005 (LI) **My blind favorite

passed over many of my favorites before keeping out a Billsboro Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008. I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. That happened this week. But, halllelujah, tonight was a bit more successful. pulled every bottle of white wine I had (about 20). Not a great buy, but.

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. First, the label. for $11.

Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. Halupkies are also known as stuffed cabbage or as we called them in our house as kids growing up in the Pennsylvania coal region, 'blind pigeons.' The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma.

Since then, Herzog & de Meuron have won the Pritzker prize and designed such buildings as the Tate Modern and the Bird’s Nest for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) The 2005 Dominus has dark berry notes and deliciously fine tannins to give it good poise. But it’s not open to the public. dominusestate.com.

2008 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords , $16, Louis/Dressner Selections. remember loving the 2005 almost immediately upon release because it was so open and expressive. I'm pretty sure that 2008 was a difficult vintage in Muscadet and yields were way down.

There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. don't hide the fact that in the past two years I have fallen in love with wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today!

While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. Tonight I opened up the second bottle and had maybe the best white wine find of this summer, a 2006 Michael Shaps Viognier from the King Family Vineyards. The wines are produced with a traditional old-world style.

I 'm currently making room in my wine cooler for a recent large quantity buy, so I pulled out a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Riserva for a pizza dinner tonight. had this wine about four years ago and wasn't fully impressed at that time, but thought I'd give it another chance and the price was right. Great Buy!

I'm talking about the 2005 Bisol Prosecco Crede , (current vintage is 2007) the 2006 Bisson Prosecco Colli Trevigiani (current vintage is 2008), and a NV Zucchi Lambrusco Rosato. For a few years I was in the habit of giving my parents a case of wine for Hanukkah. Why don't you OPEN this," I would ask. They were great. Not good, great!

One of the problems with bringing home lots of wine from a Finger Lakes wine tour is deciding which ones to try first. Shirley helps make that decision easier by planning some meals ahead of time or by just giving me a warning of what's on the menu for the night. Sometimes though, it can be challenging choosing the right wine for the meal.

just reviewed the 2008 semi-dry Riesling from Anthony Road Wine Company and knew if anywhere near the area I would have to visit. Especially noted were the 2003 Pinot Noir reserve, the 2005 Cabernet Franc reserve and the 2005 Merlot reserve. don't know where to rank the day's events. have to say it was the folks we met.

Guess again and behold the saga of Sierra Carche 2005.&#. Here is the complete lineup: #1 2005 Sierra Carche (lot 8114) WA 96. 2 2005 Espectacle (Monsant) – about $150 (unrated, but 2004 was WA 99, 2006 WA 96). 4 2008 Edgbaston Pepper Pot (South Africa), $14, unrated. 5 2005 Sierra Carche (lot 8114) WA 96.

Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Winner of the New York Wine and Food Classics's 'Governor's Cup.' I Don't Like Sugar."

Well it's time to try a new wine, at least new to me. Before now I have never tasted Gewurztraminer. Please, no comments on that issue. It took me over 30 years to appreciate any white wine, and now that I do, I am trying them all. The first was OK and will be nice at a evening get-together, but not one I would bring to the party. Great Buy!

With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. The first night I opened the Crianza.

Looking for great buys in wine? Just look to Australia. Don't know what's going on Down Under but right now some of the best buys for wine are Australian. The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Our wine taste profiles are about 180 deg. apart, so I was a little hesitant, but he hit this one right on the nail.

Sometimes you just get lucky when searching out a wine. dropped into a local shop this week and during a conversation with the shop owner I had asked if he had any wines from Oregon. He did. He actually had one. It was a Pinot Noir. have had some really nice Pinot's from Oregon before, but they were a bit pricey. Pricey, but good. Great Buy!

Today was a shopping day with Shirley. We did the Home Depot, BJ's, Best Buy, Panera for lunch, two grocery stores and one Mom and Pop wine shop. The 'honey do' list at home was longer. Back to my day job tomorrow. Unfortunately, there were no choices for a good New Zealand Savvie so down the aisles I walked searching for one that interested me.

Guess again and behold the saga of Sierra Carche 2005. The wine on offer was the Sierra Carche 2005, a blend of Monastrell with Petit Verdot and Malbec from the off-the beaten path Spanish region of Jumilla. Please be informed that the Bodegas Murcia Sierra Carche 2005 was not “dumped&# on the PLCB as you have described.

2005 Weingut Clemens Busch Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Pundericher Marienberg Riesling Spatlese (Gustabfullung) Pale hay with lemony notes. 2008 Weingut Matthias Dostert "Roter Elbling" (Gutsabfullung) ** Pale pink rose, with tart strawberries and mellow apple notes on the finish. I promised myself I would drink more German wines this year.

It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like. And then, there comes along one that is over and above any I have tasted before.

I know those close to me won't believe this, but I am actually going to review a Rose' wine. In doing so, I am showing them that I can accept the fact that for almost all of my adult life I have been very stupid or as Lenn Thompson said 'Are you nuts.' Yes Lenn, I was nuts. The resulting juice once pressed was the perfect hue of pink. Great Buy!

Just last night we opened a Robert Sinskey 2005 Los Carneros Merlot ** that was nicely textured and tart. But as cheap 2008 Bordeaux threatens to flood our shores, I am eager to defend American producers in difficult times. learned my lesson with 2005 Bordeaux. Flights are delayed. Market volatility remains high. Never again.”

It was November of 2005, BrooklynLady and I went to France together for the first time. Mathieu showed us cement vats full of fermenting juice - we saw and smelled the glorious 2005's as they bubbled away, turning sugar into alcohol. Cory writes passionately about the wines he loves, and about his life in the Bay Area and beyond.

Further, Grant Phelps, the Viu Manent winemaker, said that the Viu 1 was “identical in almost every respect&# to the 2003, 2004 and 2005, three vintages that he also made. What does a 62 point wine taste like? Not that I follow scores for wine very much, but a 62 pointer? Man, that had to suck. accepted. Was it inferior?

One of the most difficult time's I have on a short vacation is waiting for the train to take me home. To kill time I visit or window shop the shops at the station and sometimes get awful lucky by finding a great deal. This past week-end was one of those days and that great deal was in a wine shop. Drink now or through the next 5 years." Great Buy!

Broadbent selections, Vinho Verde, 2008, $10. Binner, Gewurztraminer, 2005. Bernard Baudry, rosé, Chinon, 2008. Shiraz and Chardonnay account for half of the vineyard acres planted in Australia. For a quick taste of how the other half drinks, check out a piece that I wrote for Forbes.com. Nino Franco, Rustico, Prosecco.

Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. I really enjoy shopping for wine and finding one that I never tried and end up putting it on my list of must have wines. Today, I stopped in to buy a Sauvignon Blanc for the evening. Today, I chose a good one. These are wines that are designed to be enjoyed. think they are just trying to impress.

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2005 Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa. 2005 Mount Horrocks Riesling, Clare Valley. 2008 Tahbilk Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes, Goulburn Valley. 2005 Vasse Felix Semillon, Margaret River.