In Burgundy and the Loire Valley, it can be difficult to find the producers you are trying to visit. In Burgundy, for example, when you taste from a barrel you get a pretty good sense of what the wine will be. The houses look like any other houses and often the placards at the entrance are quite small. MORE >>

1971 was a good vintage in Burgundy and also in Piedmonte, so it shouldn't be too hard to find something interesting and delicious. But he knows enough about wine so that his search was very specifically directed, and he found something from the Loire Valley that should be fantastic - I'll let you know how it goes in a few weeks. MORE >>

Expensive (over $50) 2005 red Burgundy : Simon Bize Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Forneaux Inexpensive (under $25) 2005 red Burgundy : Paul Pernot Beaune Clos du Dessus des Marconnets. Dry Loire white : Foreau 2005 Vouvray Sec Clos Naudin. Off-dry Loire white : 2005 Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos Habert. MORE >>

I'm talking about Beaujolais, Muscadet, Chinon and the other Loire Valley sites. have no idea what 2010 will bring in the finished wines of Champagne, in Burgundy, in the Jura, or in the other places I love. Okay, now that I have your attention. Think about these wines in 2009, for a minute. That sounds exciting, no? MORE >>

still love Pinot, but moreso the wines of Burgundy, Cheverny in the Loire Valley, or the Jura. Yes, but the key for me is to drink them without comparing them to Burgundy, to accept them as fruit-driven wines and to enjoy them as such. I bought a lot of Oregon Pinot when I rediscovered wine about 6 years ago. 2002 St. MORE >>