I love blind tasting. Without knowing whether or not I am intrigued by the producer, whether or not I've had it before, or any of the many other things that influence my expectations about a wine before I actually smell and taste it. It felt in the mouth like Chardonnay to me, and I got something like iodine on the nose. MORE >>

I want to tell you about what I think is one of the best wine values in Champagne, a wine made by René Geoffroy. There is another wine in the portfolio, a wine that has quietly amazed me since the first time I tasted it. NV René Geoffroy Champagne Empriente , $55, Terry Theise Selections/Michael Skurnik Imports. MORE >>

Fresh and bright with fruit, and it really showed what to my taste is typical of Meunier - a round and fleshy, very broad character with something sweet and nutty like marzipan or cashew under the fruit. To me, a truly great Champagne. NV Jacques Selosse Champagne VO , about $165, Imported by the Rare Wine Company. MORE >>

Cédric Bouchard is one of the leaders of the new wave in Champagne. He comes from a Champagne family - his father is an old school grower, but Cédric does things differently. He wants to make wine, and he happens to be doing this in Champagne. Let me first say that it is not a joke, what they say about Champagne out of magnum. MORE >>

Has the bubble burst on his Champagnes made by those who grow the grapes? On Tuesday, I pulled wine importer Terry Theise aside at the trade tasting of his New York distributor, Michael Skurnik Wines. ve tasted too few. The only things I’ve tasted is what we have here. We’re going to have 27 chardonnays and 13 Rieslings. MORE >>