waiting for our 7pm dinner and what a fabulous day we have had at the Palais Coburg, viewing multi-million dollar wine cellars and meeting the celebrities of the wine world. The champagne meet and greet led to a presentation in which we learned "insider secrets" from Gerard Basset MW, who was interviewed by Frank M=Smulders MW. MORE >>

In fact, though the Napa Valley is known as a region for fabulous wine estates (think castles, Persian palaces …) South Africa takes the cake when it comes to fabulous wineries where you can spend the day feasting on gourmet food from celebrity chefs, exploring cellars, meeting winemakers, and much more. Fabulous visit! link]. News S. MORE >>

If I were showing Baudry's Rosé to other people who had never had it, or if I were cellaring some for the future, I'd take the 2008. 2002 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvee Fiacre , $70, Terry Theise Selections/Michael Skurnik Imports. I try not to do laundry list posts that sound like "here's what I drank recently." Sigh of relief. MORE >>

As we arrive a the winery Carlos proudly shows us his “new and old” cellar … one part dates from 1910, and the other part(s) they had built in stages, with the most recent part built just last year. The cellar is artfully done, designed to showcase and link both the new and the old. “Welcome!” to designer sunglasses. Around $13. MORE >>

So after visiting the three champagne festivals, I was lucky enough to get a VIP tour of Champagne G.H. I couldn't resist asking, for even though I am not a poster kind of person the color and vibrance displayed here -- gorgeously dressed people enjoying Mumm Champagne at the opera -- was a happy thought. Champagne News g.h. MORE >>