Even in their own country the wines are not really appreciated- most younger Germans interested in wine would prefer to drink pinot grigio. Partly this was out of necessity, as my business was handling old and rare wines, and Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, classic Piemonte and Rhônes were the core of my business in those days. MORE >>

From Bordeaux we settled down in the Burgundy section.  There was a very sweet and warm woman telling me about her move to Burgundy, prompted following a "visit" there.  I tasted a good deal of both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) burgundy. But these over-the-top Burgundies were far a few between.  MORE >>

I'm polite and helpful towards everyone now, even those folks you deal with in the city who are not always so friendly themselves. We ate leftover roast lamb for dinner with butternut squash puree, and I opened a bottle of 2002 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvee. 2002 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvee , $35. MORE >>

In 1993 the bartender at the now-defunct French restaurant where I waited table graduated from Reed College in Portland, and he knew about Oregon pinot. He convinced the owner to put Eyrie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the wine list, and this was my first experience with Oregon wine. My favorite recent vintage is 2001. MORE >>

Here are a few recent experiences with mature wine: 2001 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Quarter Mile Lane Vineyard , $40. Just like in Burgundy - they say you should drink your 2001's and 2004's while waiting for your 2002s to mature. might compare 2001 in Oregon to 2001 in Burgundy. Not that they're sub-par, they are not. MORE >>