Here's what I drank recently: 2008 Marcel Lapierre Morgon , $20, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. I've read comments on the interweb about variation again in 2008, but specifically with the "N" lots - no sulfur as I understand it. 2008 Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvée Corcelette , $34, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. Sigh of relief. MORE >>

The 2008 Alice and Olivier de Moor Chablis Rosette , $38, Louis/Dressner Selections is the first Chablis I've had from the 2008 vintage. Very tight aromatically, but there are hints of chalky rock and citrus fruit, and there is a definite oxidative character to the fruit. Okay, that's not exactly what we did. But close. MORE >>

don't aspire to drink geeky wine, and I'm not saying that geeky wine is by definition good wine - that would be absurd. Then we drank the 2008 Domaine Gauby Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Les Calcinaires , $27, imported by Weygandt Metzler. Two friends came over for dinner the other night. And I loved it. This wine, however, I loved. MORE >>

It is almost a Blanc de Noirs - 57% Meunier, 38% Pinot, and 5% Chardonnay. My favorite so far is the exquisite 2004 Quinte Essence Brut, made of 60% Pinot, 25% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay from vineyards in Belval-sous-Châtillon (if I understood correctly). This release is mostly from the fantastic 2008 vintage, the balance is 2007. MORE >>

Of the 4 whites, 1 was a Chardonnay, 2 were blends (both were 80% "Macabeo" [AKA Viora & often used in Spanish sparkling wine or "CAVA"] & 20% Chardonnay) and the 4th was a beautiful bone dry Muscat. The Chardonnay, the 2007 Aragus Campo de Borja was unoaked and had a very lite yellow/straw color. But I found out today. MORE >>