And domestic pinot can be downright dicey. So it was with skepticism that I tried the Grochau Cellars , “Commuter Cuvee” 2010 recently. It’s actually a gulpable pinot noir with good acidity and the bing cherry note often found in Oregon pinots. American wine under $15 is a difficult category.

It is a quaint vineyard and after a tour of the ferementation vessels we have our tasting in the cellar, surrounded by oak barrels. Pinot Noir 2010 Family Reserve. "Welcome!" says attractive dark haired Federico Domingo, Export Manager for Bodegas Castillo Viejo as we squeeze into his tiny car. Alexander joins his. El Preciado.

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. Don Prospero Pinot Noir 2011. “Welcome!”

Soon Kristina came to escort me on my VIP tour, which included a tour of the cellars dug out of chalk.  Since the cellar was dug before electricity, there are places for candles. What was most interesting about the cellar is that there are number of bays, each designated to a different grand cru. Mumm in Reims. years.

Mostly the range consistes of blanc de blancs from Mesnil, but the rosé has 25% pinot noir from Ambonnay. All the wines bear the signature of firm tannins that cry out for cellaring. It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Really, a WOW! Quite fun. alcohol.

Chambers Street Wines recently offered the wines of Chris Brockway’s Broc Cellars calling them “Californian vin de soif,” including his 11.9% pinot noir. The French have a wine term that doesn’t translate. No, it’s not terroir. It’s vin de soif. It’s lowish in alcohol and in price.

Case in point: Oregon pinot noir. love pinot from Oregon: I love the variations from year to year and house to house, and while I don't buy and drink as much of it as I would like, I do think I drink more pinot from Oregon than any other region in the world combined. 2008 Shea Cellars Estate At 14.8% Listed as 13.8%

was in Jerez in October , and one night I had dinner at La Carbona with Peter Liem and Eduardo Ojeda, the cellar master at La Guita and Valdespino. This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, of the last few months anyway. And La Carbona is by not even a steakhouse.

The tapestry, with its bold vivid colors of burgundy, gold, and electric blue, is elegantly draped over the glass-enclosed barrel cellar below and depicts a merry feast of gorgeously dressed men and women playing instruments, dancing, and having a great time. Welcome!” Apparently, Rabelais celebrated the hedonistic pleasures of the body ….

This is absolutely top notch wine, I bet it would improve with time in the cellar, and it sells for $20 before a mixed case discount. This one is made of Gamay and Pinot Noir. I've been having a hard time with red wine lately. Okay, I never have a problem with mature Burgundy, or mature red wine in general.

I ask Charles Hopkins, cellar master at De Grendel wines in Cape Town. We try several wines, two Sauvignon Blancs, their signature Bordeaux blend called Rubaivat, a Merlot, a Pinot Noir, and all are incredibly delicious. "So what's the story with these gorgeous horses?" link]. News S.

We are lead to the spotless, yet ancient looking cellars one can't help but think it is a movie set. The domaine covers around 15 hectares; of which 40% of the vines are red Pinot Noir and the rest mostly Chardonnay. La Maltroye. It is high on a hill, with a gorgeous view of the village and darkening sky. I love your wines.

We have just driven through the charming, historic village of Gevrey-Chambertin to arrive at Mr. Gallois’s home and cellar, where a child’s bicycle is parked near the front door and two enthusiastic-looking music and video producers eagerly taste wine atop a barrel in the charming tasting room, minutes later exiting with several cases.

The remaining bottles (both cork and screwcap) were stored in the cellar of President Emeritus Jonathan Levine for the past four years. Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005 Cork **. Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005 Screw Cap. Michel Laroche of Domaine LaRoche. Wine Media Guild of NY.

Visit the ancient, dust- and spider web-covered cellars and you realize that some of the very old bottles inside have survived the Napoleonic wars, the Franco-Prussian War, WWI, and WWII. The remaining vineyards feature Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. In Germany, the word “schloss” means castle or “manor house.” Hauptstr.

Well, we had places to go and people to see, so back on the road heading for Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars. We did not taste the Merlot or the Lemberger, but were amazed with the Gruner Veltliner and the Pinot Noir. Around the lake and now heading north on the East side our first stop was Ravines Wine Cellars.

With this we drank two different Inflorescence Brut Blanc de Noirs , the 2008 and 2009. The 09 might be more of a wine to drink young, and the 2008 seems to be a great candidate for the cellar. Jaime then served a squash risotto which which we paired with the 2004 Inflorescence Brut Blanc de Noirs La Parcelle.

The Pinot Noir is also from the Uco valley grown on La Pampa Estates. Salentein history began with the opening of its state-of-the-art winery and cellars just one year after its debut vintage. Argentina News alenstein family of wines argentina chardonnay chief winemaker jose antonio galante malbec pinot noir Salentein

The Pinot Noir is also from the Uco valley grown on La Pampa Estates. Salentein history began with the opening of its state-of-the-art winery and cellars just one year after its debut vintage. Argentina News alenstein family of wines argentina chardonnay chief winemaker jose antonio galante malbec pinot noir

You cruise by the shelves of wine regions or grape varietals, recognizing familiar favorites like Pinot Noir and pick up a bottle or two. Both are similar in many ways: very light color (think a light transparent Pinot Noir) and on the nose, a scent of fresh red fruit such as strawberries and raspberries. Grigolino.

The wine: Avia Pinot Noir 2008. The Avia Pinot Noir at it's low price is much better than many I've tasted at 4 or 5 time the price. Avia Wines, a nationally known and successful line of varietal wines, is marketed by Laureat Imports Company in the United States under the ownership of The Goriska Brda Wine Cellar.

After lots of tasting in the cellar we were back in the comfortable and warm reception room, tasting through the current lineup of wines. Beginning with the 2007 vintage, he makes an old vines Pinot Meunier from the vineyard of Les Misy in Port à Binson. Champagne houses, in general, followed a different path.

Add that to the fact that Champagne must be crafted in the cellar in a way that most still wines are not, it is easy to understand why some people do not consider Champagne to be a wine of terroir. hectares, long and narrow with many different parcels, a bit more than half Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay.

Old vintages, stored undisturbed in Neal's underground cellar. To an oasis of perfectly cellared wine and delicious wholesome food. This is because the wine is from a place that actually favors and specializes in Pinot Noir, not Chardonnay. This past weekend I participated in one of the greatest wine events of my life.

believe that Krug Collection wines are simply held back after disgorgement, kept in the cellar for further post-disgorgement aging. Clouet is considered to be one of the better producers in Bouzy, a village famous for Pinot Noir in the Montagne de Reims. Money isn't everything when it comes to Champagne. But I am not sure.

Portugal’s entry into the EU paved the way for modernization and raised capital for winemakers, improving cellars, equipment, and vineyards. James explains that he is growing several different varietals, many of them new to Portugal such as Riesling and Pinot Noir. About Lisbon. Meeting Producers. Alorna. Quinta do Pinto.

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.

enjoyed his Cellar Tracker note on the 2009 Coudert Clos de la Roilette Fleurie Cuvée Tardive , $26, Louis/Dressner Selections, and received his permission to re-print it here: This is my first taste of 2009 Beaujolais so I don't know if some other examples are bearing out people's speculation that the vintage may be marked by fat, overdone fruit.

cannot imagine cellaring it, as it tastes so good now, and doesn't seem to be holding anything in reserve. You blend Pinot Noir and Gamay somewhere near Touraine and you can make a decent wine. Some of my favorite wines have just been released in new vintages. Buy the wines and drink them. Don't miss it. Will this age well?

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

He was hanging out with a guy named Kirk, another NYC wine guy with a legendary cellar and a generous soul. know, it was supposed to be about Silvia Altare's wines, and those were very good too (my favorite was a delicious white Langhe wine made from Pinot Noir). Well, the chef at Alto did, anyway. Photo courtesy of Levi D.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

He headed back up to the valley that same afternoon to make his best offer, and Cakebread Cellars was born. The Pinot Noir was another favorite. Tags: Interviews News cakebread cellars dennis cakebreadk When he returned home that afternoon, the phone rang and it was the family friends offering to sell their property.

This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

By 1839, his first underground cellars were dug and Mr. Jacques fermented his first wine vintage. Those cellars, the oldest and largest in America, are still in use today at Brotherhood Winery. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Enough history.

Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

Not too many decades ago, nefarious producers and negotiants used inexpensive wine from the south of France to add volume to Pinot Noir from Burgundy. and for Mr. Russel-Pinot, aged White Churchill White Port and Vintage - Grahams 1980 port. Guests at the 21 Club. Did you know that the U.S. in 2004 alone.

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

In short, Maggie's pinot noirs from Willamette Valley are not of this world. It has the mark of being made too easily (by picking out the best barrells in a cellar full of them) by a modest but artful and potent winemaker. have two bottles in my cellar, which I will wait another 3-10 to open. The 2007 * is crazygood.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

The winery is Cline Cellars. One of the first wineries on the road to wine country, Cline Cellars is located 45 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma-Carneros. The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. This disease is not reserved for just women. Here's what I learned.

Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

In the late 90's I added Pinot Grigio and Voigner to my limited white wine list. That was until 2009 when I bought a nice Italian vin rosso from Damiani Wine Cellars. My first stop was at the winery that raised my curiosity about their reds, Damiani Wine Cellars. Other than an occasional Chardonnay, it was red wine only for me.

Howard Rossbach (who grew up in the Bronx) of Firesteed started out by successfully crafting a good, affordable Oregon Pinot Noir at $10. alcohol Full disclosure: This bottle was a complimentary sample for Vigna Uva Vino from Firesteed Cellars. The results? complex but softened beauty. 50, 13.6%

While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

Jeffrey Alpert has two fantastic wines here - the beautiful NV Benoît Lahaye Champagne Brut , mostly Pinot Noir from Bouzy, and fairly priced at $72, and the ethereal and gamy 2006 Ganevat Trousseau "Plein Sud" at $55. love this area, actually, the stretch of 6th avenue between the Gowanus expressway and Greenwood Cemetery.

** Disclaimer: I received these wines from Martellotto Wine s One of the benefits of writing a wine blog is the occasional UPS delivery of wine to taste and review on the blog. It can also be disappointing when the wine received is one that I don't normally drink or one that I have a hard time with. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

From the website, "Laurène is our flagship wine, and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family's estate in the Dundee Hills. Tags: Cellar Selection 2004 2 stars USA 2006 3 stars Oregon Sonoma Willamette Valley 4 stars My notes trail off at this point, but it was nicely round on the palate without being sweet.

Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

Sometime near the end of the year, I would like to post all that I have learned and the wines that I have come to enjoy over the past two years. From a European reds only wine drinker who could not tolerate most white wines or any wines over 0% RS, to be even drinking the many wines I am now, I think I have come a long way.

I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. When the fourth night comes and you just get home from work and you are looking for a nice wine just to sip, watch a little TV and catch up on a little blog work, you check every bottle in the wine fridge and just can't decide for fear of failing again.

The Godmé estate is located in Verzenay, the Grand Cru village in the Pinot Noir belt of the Montagne de Reims. The NV Godmé Brut Tradition Blanc de Noirs should sell for about $55 was a much more serious wine, full of dark furry fruit and black tea, very wound up and tense. Fall is tasting season in New York.

no sooner sat down on Friday when he brought out a Glenora Wine Cellars Gewurztraminer. Glenora Wine Cellars has been producing award winning wines in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State for more than 32 years. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago.

The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. First, the label.

The winner was; Row House Cellars White Table Wine NV, brought home from a recent visit to the White Springs Winery in Geneva NY. The grapes used in the blend are Riesling, Cayuga White, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Grigio. believe this is the first year of Row House Cellars. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them.

Tonight I dug into my modest wine vault and found a Ravines Wine Cellars , Cabernet Franc 2007. There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today! It has! Great Buy!

Stomping Girl Wines produces pinot noir sourced from the North Coast. when he said this would cellar for 10 years. This summer, I not only took a vacation from work, but from Slaked! as well. Vacation is one of those things I don't do enough. It's hard to get right. More to the point, I have not been on total vacation. 2003 St.

The 2005 Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Pinot Noir L'Aide Mémoire , $30, Savio Soares Selections, is an entirely different Pinot Noir, if you're used to the wines of Burgundy. I made the simplest of summer vegetable soups, mostly with my 2.5 year old daughter in mind. Not a whole lot else. And I was excited.

Such is the case of the 2007 Damiani Wine Cellars Meritage. It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like.

Our first stop was at Damiani Wine Cellars. short ride north of Damiani is the Red Newt Cellars. He also let me compare the Classic Pinot Noir against their Premium Ingle Vineyards Pinot Noir and the Classic Cabernet Franc against the their Premium Ingle Vineyards CF. The first was a must do.

Last year, on the Cayuga Wine Trail, I finally found a few very nice reds and this past year discovered a new Finger Lakes winery that is producing some very excellent reds, the Damiani Wine Cellars. I have no idea what occurred between the early 1980's and present in the case of New York Finger Lakes red wines.

2006 By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir, Geelong. NV Pirie Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Tasmania. 2001 Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir, South Gippsland. 2001 Yarrabank Late Disgorged Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley. 2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley.

In the spring of 2008 I learned that the winemaking prodigy behind Pax Wine Cellars, monsieur Pax Mahle, was leaving the eponymously named venture and striking out on his own, once again. and a 2006 Sonoma Coast Syrah Prices range from $32 to $45, about 30% less than Pax Wine Cellars. Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?)

Although ready to drink now, the vibrant acidity of this wine will reward additional cellar aging. I am just going to begin by saying the Clos Du Bois Calcaire 2006 is probably the best Chardonnay I have ever had. Last evening my wife and I had dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Central New York, The Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville.

I'd take a half case for the cellar and re-visit in 5 years. Perhaps the top producer in Verzenay, Lallement makes tiny quantities of superb wine, based mostly on Pinot Noir. Cuvée Réserve is made from the estate's older vines, 80% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, and is a blend of at least two vintages.

A few weeks ago, I reviewed a Fingerlakes red table wine from Damiani Wine Cellars of Hector, NY. And it was a no-brainer that when I found a Pinot Noir from Damiani that I quickly brought one home and just as quick uncorked it. The 2006 Damiani Pinot Noir as solidified that belief. Here's what I mean by that.

Winemaker's notes: Producer Background: Hugel owns a 65-acre estate planted largely to Riesling and Gewürztraminer, with small plots of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered before bottling, whereupon the wines are aged in Hugel’s cellars until release

From the Veneto Region of Italy and made from 100% Pinot Grigio, with pale colors and exotic flavors. Pinot Grigio thrives in the Sortesele vineyard, situated along the Adige valley, north of Mezzacorona in Trentino, and it covers about 84 acres. On the nose are apples, pears, with a floral bouquet. The yield is about 6.5

ChampagneGuide.net offers a complete description of Boulard's history, vineyard and cellar work, and you should subscribe if you haven't already done so, and check it out. Perhaps not a wine to go deep on in the cellar, but without question a wine to buy if you see it, and one to enjoy in the next few years. Lamb , at a minimum.

“Finger Lakes wineries now number nearly 100, and one of the newest and most interesting is the tiny Damiani Wine Cellars (tel. So, off to research Damiani Wine Cellars. 20% Pinot Noir blended with the hybrids Rougeon, Vincent and Leon Millet (0.8% 607/546-5557), in Hector on the east side of Seneca Lake. Or drink.”

Savio works with small growers who take care for their environment and who make wine naturally - relying mostly on indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur, minimal cellar manipulation, and light or no filtration. This wine is Cabernet Franc, Pinot Meunier (yes, you read that right), and a third mystery grape which the producer will not reveal.

Innocent Anden Vineyard Pinot Noir ** as we waited for the Monte Bello to unwind. true Willamette Valley style pinot noir with another decade of life in it as well. Tags: Cellar Selection 2004 2 stars USA Oregon 1990 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 4 stars The 1990 Monte Bello * is another blockbuster.

You could also spend $24 and get Pinon's 2007 Vouvray Silex Noir , a drier and more elegant wine. In my book, this is the truest and best Pinot Noir on the market right now for $20 or less. This is the "entry level" wine, which is a joke because it is a complete wine, ripe, complex, cellar-worthy. Syrah, and Grenache.

2005 Dirler Pinot C é page Pinot Noir , $33, Robert Chadderdon Selections. First of all, although it is made of Pinot Noir, it is white wine. So I think we're talking about a rosé of Pinot Noir. There are a few unusual things about this wine. Or is it - I'm just not sure. The label doesn't say.

But if one makes the right adjustments in winemaking (lower levels of SO2, longer aging in cellar, holding the wine in bottle longer before release) the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. still think it’s a really good idea to do pinot in southern England. Puns and cute labels helped make the wines fun and approachable.

Drinking perfectly now, this will no doubt live for another decade in the cellar, although I doubt that it will ever quite shed the overt vanilla top note. These wineries are collectively, "owned by longtime friends and partners Larry Maguire, Dirk Hampson, and Beth, Erik and Jeremy Nickel." What sets them apart? Julien?).

At the inaugural congressional lunch at the Capitol, right after the swearing-in ceremony, the wines will include 2007 Duckhorn Vineyards sauvignon blanc ($30; find this wine ) and 2005 Goldeneye pinot noir ($55; find this wine ). But then they say they don’t know what Obama will have after the inauguration. Cue Elin McCoy.

Haut Gravet ** and the fifth wheel 2005 La Crema Pinot Noir Russian River Valley * It was interesting to note how these wines had evolved over the past 3-6 days. Emilion Grand Cru, displayed strong but round, dry tannins, with mint and pine on the back end, and I would have fingered it for a Heitz Cellars Napa Valley.

We’re back with Part Deux of our interview with John Gilman, author of the newsletter A View from the Cellar ( part one is here ). Even in their own country the wines are not really appreciated- most younger Germans interested in wine would prefer to drink pinot grigio. German Riesling. And I really don’t understand why.

At the time, the "Canis Major" was one of the best pinot noirs from California I had ever tasted. As it turns out, Linn is a big dog guy, not just a big pinot noir guy. pinot noir cum Chateauneuf du Pape without the pepper/spice, this wine has at least two decades of aging potential. own a dog. Bow wow!

Located in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims, Billiot's wines are comprised mostly of Pinot Noir, and the fruit is rich and joyous.The basic non-vintage Brut is typically excellent, although not cheap at almost $50. It will probably continue to improve with a few more years in a cold cellar.

If you're into California Cult wines, then you might want to know when they come out, and how much they will cost, but there is no comprehensive release schedule for these wines -- anywhere -- and the cults themselves are the last people to ask. You aren't alone. This list is by no means complete, and it may very well be inaccurate.

Some are Good Values , others are Cellar Selections , all are American. Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2004 ** a very good merlot with blueberry notes and solid body that can be had for under $20 Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 * ripe and succulent but with sufficient acidity to hold it all together. But more on that, later.

Pinot noir, gamay, barbera all make food-friendly wines that can be light in style as compared to, say, cabernet sauvingnon or zinfandel, which are fuller bodied (and often higher in alcohol). Heck, entire stores such as Best Cellars in Manhattan and wine lists at numerous restaurants arrange wines this way. I like light reds.

Cellar for 2 years and enjoy for the next decade. DuMOL "Finn" Pinot Noir 2006 ** Garnet color, with underlying minerality and sour cherry notes on top. Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 * Delicious. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Cask 23" 1999 (?) I have a love/hate relationship with Wine Spectator. Very fine.

I don't know what it is that makes October pinot noir season, but it's always around now that I start to break out the reds in earnest again and the pinot noir is always the first off the shelf. Cellar selection. Cellar selection. The crisp acidity and earthy flavors somehow compliment this brisk NYC air.

Tasted blind, I fingered this for a Central California pinot noir - Sea Smoke or Ojai - something from the Santa Rita Hills. And reminds me that Oregon does in fact produce some profound pinor noir Amazingly fresh. I've never had a Willamette Valley wine that was so fresh or lively, and this at six years of age.

Wines that are made with organically and/or biodynamically grown grapes and with minimal intervention in the cellar - natural wines. That Pinot Gris and a plate of choucroute.or that Pinot and a bowl of creamy mushroom soup.I'll Jenny & François' tasting is something that I have come to look forward to. ll take it.