All too often, Zinfandel is a highway to a quick, cheap buzz. Although I also tasted some spectacular wines of Monte Bello , I was looking forward to the tasting of old zinfandels dating back to 1973, including multiple pairs of Geyserville and Lytton Springs–could a Zinfandel age gracefully, I wondered? MORE >>

In 2005, the EU and US reached a bilateral accord to end a round of negotiations that had lasted twenty years. Such was the problem that confronted Peltier Station , a winery in Lodi that wanted to release a port-style wine from Zinfandel grapes last year. with that and the USB ports found on computers. Advertisement: Tags: giveaway MORE >>

Produttori del Barbaresco, Barberesco, 2005 (about $33): I poured this wine the first day to illustrate tannins. This blend of mostly zinfandel fermented with natural yeasts has 13.8% Another six-week session of my NYU class just wrapped up last week. How could it not be? Many Nebbiolo fans were made from a sip of this wine. MORE >>

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. MORE >>

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% MORE >>