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 >>

Recently, winemakers from the region presented their wines to journalists at a lunch in New York with commentary from wine educator Michael Apstein. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O. in Spain that makes quality white, rose, and red wine. MORE >>

talian wines paved the way for my wine education, but last night my friend Eric Guido provided a detour for me: A blind tasting of six Australian wines from the famed Barossa Valley. Flight 2 Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 Muted smoky aromas, eastern spices, sour cherries, cocoa, and forest floor, raspberry, blueberry and fresh finish. MORE >>

spent a half day in Picpoul with some other educators , and also wrote an article about it for Palate Press. 2008 Mas des Dams La Dame AOC Languedoc (18.00). Today was the first day of the Languedoc Roussillon Study & Certificate Program offered by the French Wine Society with support from Sud de France. very successful first day. MORE >>

Of the three Chardonnays were I preferred the 2008 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard, which was very Meursault like and Greg said was due to the specific vineyard. The other two were very nice - the Manchester Ridge 2008 and the 09 Sangiacomo Vineyard. Fabulous wines and a very educational talk. Greg La Follette of La Follette Wines. MORE >>