Some thoughts: #1- 2007 was a hard year to mess up for pinot--at least that's what I thought for the first flight! 3- By the second flight, I found plenty of folk who messed up in 2007, with lovely aromas of sauerkraut and the like. 4--I think that malbec does well in the south! Finally! In the mail? Here, here Rogue Valley! MORE >>

With an emphasis on maximizing fruit expression, Terrazas de los Andes grape varietals are carefully matched to their vineyard altitude: Chardonnay ( 1200 metres/3900 feet); Malbec (1067 metres/3500 feet), Cabernet Sauvignon (980 metres/3200 feet). 2008 Reserva Malbec. 2007 Afincado Malbec (single vineyard). MORE >>

2007 Henschke Tilly’s Vineyard – Barossa Valley. 2007 D’Arenberg The Cenosillicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsault. 2006 Cullen Mangan Malbec Petit Verdot Merlot – Margaret River. 2007 Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre – Barossa Valley. Winery owner Justine Henschke holds bottle next to WA Susan Barros. Shiraz Blend. MORE >>

Flight one consisted of yellow tail Reserve Shiraz 2008 from Southeastern Australia ($11), d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2006, McLaren Vale, Australia ($60), Marquis Philips Shiraz 2008, McLaren Vale, Australia ($13) and Archetype Shiraz 2007 Barossa, Australia $15. Doug Frost MS MW & John Casella (blue tie). Table. Lobster. MORE >>

Basically, I found that this dish would pair well with just about any red wine and even a few white wines, but they all seemed to agree on Zinfandel, Syrah or Malbec. Sometimes Shirley just picks the wrong time to do one of her signature dishes. Tonight it was her Southern style BBQ pork ribs. quick check of my wine supply found neither. MORE >>