Now, let me say something about my taste buds. Oh most definitely! OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. I Don't Like Sugar." MORE >>

was honestly quite surprised by the quality of this wine at this price, although I shouldn't have been because I very much enjoyed the Saumur Brut Methode Traditionelle I tasted by Vieux Pressoir recently. like her definition of wine of the year - much more compelling than top 100 lists and things like that. Why, drink wine, of course. MORE >>

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). Definitely a good party wine. Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. The Chardonnay was not impressive. MORE >>

There is also a definite sense of place - the wine is made from plots formerly classified as Pommard and Volnay villages, and the wine reminds me of those places. I drank a bottle of 2006 Michel Gahier Savagnin the other night. "I've learned enough to know how much there is that I don't know." This is an idea that I firmly believe in. MORE >>

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. The Arboleda 2006 was more full bodied with lots of earth, green pepper and tobacco. The Marques de Concha Casa, at $20, was definitely the best of the three, although the Casillero del Diablo was a great buy. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. MORE >>