Is there room for another blind tasting panel? think it will be interesting to gather bloggers and other people with whom I enjoy sharing wine, taste and discuss together with the goal of being able to say something meaningful about a group of wines. Five - that's pretty manageable for an amateur blind tasting panel. Just mute. MORE >>

At least two heads of state showed up - President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada enjoyed light conversation while tasting through the Clos Roche Blanche wines. tasted a load of wine, including new vintages from familiar producers and a few things that were brand new to me. MORE >>

When I think of most of the wines that I love, be it Burgundy, Loire Valley wines, Beaujolais, and even Champagne, I think of those wines as representing a specific place. First of all, there are no underground cellars, no steps to walk down, no moldy walls and frigid caves. Now I know a little bit more. MORE >>

In Burgundy and the Loire Valley, it can be difficult to find the producers you are trying to visit. You taste through the lineup of new wines in barrel, and then perhaps a few bottles from recent vintages, maybe an older bottle if you are lucky and the wine maker feels like sharing a special experience. MORE >>

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. BrooklynLady and I love Loire Valley white wines, particularly Huët - who doesn't? So this producer is meaningful too. MORE >>