The champagne in your glass likely is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Pinot Meunier grapes. The trend for the producers of Champagne that wine geeks favor is a throttling back on dosage and you may see wines labeled “zero&# or “extra brut&# indicating that the amount of residual sugar is below the level of perception. MORE >>

When RN74 opened a couple of years ago, Parr drew attention by saying that he wouldn’t carry pinot noirs or chardonnays over 14% alcohol. Lee then told Parr that he had, in fact, steamed off the labels, so the wine that Parr had just requested to buy was the one over 15% alcohol. Ta-dah! So, what to make of this? American wine MORE >>

It’s kind of like sauvignon blanc meets chardonnay–and in the case of Domaine des Houards , that’s exactly what it is! From the Cheverny appellation in the eastern Loire, the deliciously refreshing, wonderfully minerally wine is 85 percent sauvignon with 15 percent chardonnay. Chill and serve with seafood on the deck. MORE >>

Here is what Peter Liem of ChampagneGuide.net has to say about Empriente: Empreinte is pure Cumières, made predominantly from pinot noir and always made from a single year, which is stated on the back label rather than on the front. There is another wine in the portfolio, a wine that has quietly amazed me since the first time I tasted it. MORE >>

John label in the East Bay. When I stopped by last month, Michael was there and a $13 natural chardonnay from the Languedoc was being poured in the store. A couple of months ago, we had a discussion about what makes a great, independent wine shop. Michael says, “it represents our thirst and our quest.&# 718.596.7643. MORE >>