Recently it was our turn to host wine group and I chose Loire Chenin Blancs as the theme. This night for me was further proof for me that the Loire Valley offers truly profound white wines at reasonable prices. Other than H uët's, I have yet to be truly wowed by any Loire sparkling wine, I must say. MORE >>

The 2005 vintage is supposed to be so good in many French wine regions, and the Loire Valley is one of them. Chamber Street, by the way, has a truly fantastic selection of Loire Valley wines, both the whites and the reds. We opened a bottle of 2005 Foreau Sec. 2005 Foreau Sec Vouvray, Clos Naudin, $29. MORE >>

So for all of you who want to poke your toe in the waters of the Loire, here is my case. Not a case from all over the world like Lyle's and Joy's, but Brooklynguy's case of Loire wine, a case that I believe will make anyone who likes wine a Loire lover. Most are from 2005, a wonderful vintage. That's pretty intense. MORE >>

An Oregon Pinot from cult producer Peter Rosback, but not from the Willamette Valley. 2005 Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris , $17. Loire Valley 2004 Cazin Cour-Cheverny , $12. 2005 Domaine de Belliviere Jasnieres Les Rosiers , $28. 2005 Mark Angeli Anjou La Lune , $26. Buy carefully in 2001. MORE >>

wanted a Sauvignon Blanc to pair with this meal but I realized that I had not even one bottle in the house. This is not only a window that allows for a peek into their more serious wines each year, it is an excellent dry and mineral Chenin Blanc, a bright and delicious wine that loves seafood. Light straw color. MORE >>