Fall is tasting season in New York. But still, there have been plenty of trade tastings to attend. But I made a point of going to a couple of tastings that I'd never before attended. This year, for example, I went to the Willette Wines portfolio tasting. had heard of it, but never tasted, and I was very impressed. MORE >>

So the Brooklyn Blind Tasting Panel convened over a load of Manzanilla , the dry sherry made on the humid coast of the Atlantic at Sanlúcar de Barrameda. We tasted two flights of four wines and selected our three favorites. This was Peter's favorite wine of the tasting, Eric and Mateo had it 2nd. Mateo called it "fool's gold." MORE >>

I was lucky enough to be invited to the recent Blaufränkisch tasting and luncheon at Gramercy Tavern, organized by David Schildnecht. This was a challenging tasting for me. But some are subjecting their wines to an oak regimen that, to my taste, doesn't promote the best in the wines. was a clean slate. It should cost about $30. MORE >>

There is some duplication with Evan Dawson’s travel post from yesterday but there is also much new, including John’s tasting notes from Mayacamas Cabernet 2003, 1991, 1985, 1974, & 1968. Tasting this wine takes me back to the excitement I had tasting the newly released 1986 Bordeaux. 2015-2050. 2017-2050. MORE >>

During the course of it, he nearly sets his suit on fire and leaves such a mess trying to open a bottle that he says, “It looked like Freddy Krueger had entered the competition.&# tasting sized poursSIPPED and SPIT: journalists at sommelier competitions. SIPPED: Royal Wedding champage. If so, hit the comments. SPIT: corks. MORE >>