The first was a 2007 Domaine de Cezin, a wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape that grows in a tiny AOC region called Jasnieres in Touraine in the Loire Valley (France). Given this 1938 AOC designation, one has to ask what is so special about this wine that it was distinguished from all the other regions in the Loire? MORE >>

2007 Domaine des Pothiers Vin de Pays d'Urfé Fou de Chene , $12.60, Fruit of the Vines Imports. This is Chardonnay, technically from the Loire Department, but we're talking closer to Lyon and Burgundy than to Vouvray or Chinon. 2007 Laurent Barth Pinot Blanc , $12.60, Louis/Dressner Selections. think it it is possible, yes. MORE >>

So grab a glass of wine, throw another log on the fire, grab a sandwich, channel your inner wine geek, and listen to John opine on the topics of natural wines, zero dosage champagne, some pitfalls of collecting, 2007 vintage for Port and in the Rhone, the nobility of chenin blanc, the Piedmont producer Produttori del Barbaresco and more! MORE >>

He travels frequently and greatly enjoys his work with a small group of wine makers, mostly in Germany, France, and Austria. And I thought the 2007 Ernst Clusserath Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett Trocken (about $30) was a great pairing. As was the 2007 Avanti Popolo Les Temps des Cerises (about $25). had a blast. MORE >>

So buckle up and get ready to hear his thoughts on what’s wrong with Riesling from Austria and Australia, screwcaps and their problems, the Loire, California cab then and now, indigenous yeasts, roto-fermenters, small oak barrels, wines over 14% alcohol and why he uses scores! The Loire. German Riesling. just don’t get it. MORE >>