Jean-Roger Calvet from Domaine Thunevin-Calvet in Mary, France is next. The soil is schiest which looks like schiest from Cote Rotie and is very friable. The next panelist is Herve Bizeul from Le Clos des Fees, in Vingrau, France which has 400 habitants. Schist is extremely important to this domaine. Elise says. years.

Vin de table lies at the bottom of the administrative heap in France: it’s derided, dirt cheap and sold in supermarkets by the flagon. Paradoxically, however, producers who dare to do something different are all-too-often ending up in this undifferentiated tier. in the one I tasted last week.

Robert Kacher Selections is strong in bargains from Southwestern France; I highlighted the Tariquet Sauvignon ( find this wine ) in my book, A Year of Wine, as one of 10 great wines under $10 ( REDS from Patrick Campbell was also included). Do you think a farmer in the Cote Rotie wants to put a bottle of his $50 wine on the table every day?

I tasted France, Italy, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and some California wines.  tasted many of the wines with a friend and we focused on old world regions such as France and Italy. In addition to the Burgundies I had a very nice Chat du Pape, an excellent Super Tuscan, and what may have been my favorite of the tasting,  a Cote Rotie. 

Moving to the Rhone valley in France I tried some wines from Eric Texier. Next to Texier was Domaine Franck Peillot from the Bugey region of France (a place I had never previously heard of). wine I really loved and found quite unique was the 2005 Domaine de Roally Vire'-Clesse' from the Macconnais, France. don't know.

Following is a list of the best wine regions of the world from the 2006 vintage. Art © 2008 by Dave Trieger

2- 2005 Fontedicto Pirouette #5 $15 Grapes: Carignan Languedoc, France (for some reason, this one, which was rich and sunny and fruit forward wasnt a smash hit. 4-2005 Catherine & Pierre Breton Nuits dIvresse $24 Grapes: Cabernet Franc Bourgeuil, Loire (love this, was overheard. What I was in charge of? Many thanks! hate this.

Also, the vignerons poured not only their entry level wines, but their top wines, and this provided the opportunity to taste a $62 Cote Rotie without actually buying it, which is much appreciated if you are in my tax bracket and you want to sample the wares before investing. 2005 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cabernet Franc , $13.

was leaving for France in a few days and would have to drop everything to do research. filed from France. At first blush a $14 half glass for the delicious, animal-ish Levet Cote Rotie might seem uber expensive yet the actual ounce pour, coupled with the giant taste satisfaction makes it seem a bargain. Did a rewrite.