Mumm, who joined the house in 2006 at the age of 35. What’s interesting about Mr. Mariotti is his lively personality and easy way of describing the flavors in the glass, especially to a crowd interested in wine and champagne but not technically trained in the field. “We front row girls only go for the best!” Cuvee R. MORE >>

The  2006 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel ** (with 7% alicante bouschet, 3% petite sirah, and 2% carignane,) is a silky young zinfandel with briar patch and strawberry notes on the mid-palate and mild black spice on the finish ("the alicante and a small amount of zinfandel co-fermented with a floating cap to better stabilize alicante's intense color").  MORE >>

Summer arrived in New York with a splash -- cold and wet -- but the trains are still packed out to Montauk, the Jamaica-stop on the Long Island Railroad has traingoers negotiating the politics of seating arrangements with sweaty seniors and the disabled, and the New Jersey Turnpike is packed from north Jersey to Exit 8. Flights are delayed. MORE >>

Our only complaint - the only complaint period - about Black Mountain, is that management should train the staff not to try to clear plates from the table too quickly. had the NV Bereche Brut , $14, grower Champagne made of about 60% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, and a special pour that evening. It feels tucked away and private. MORE >>

stop on the L train there is a burgeoning art scene happening in the coolest way. The choices are: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz. We should have just bought the chardonnay so the oak would mask everything. found some and will taste them after I write this post. Oh, wait sorry."Three-Buck MORE >>