This dinner was a great opportunity to taste new things by my favorite producers, and also to get acquainted with some of his producers who are new to me. 2007 Claux Delorme Valençay , about $16, is a delicious blend of Malbec, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. Headrick's portfolio is small, but well selected. Silly me. MORE >>

The Puzelats grow Pinot Noir, Gamay, Côt (called Malbec in Argentina), Bréton (called Cabernet Franc in the film Sideways ), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris (called Pinot Grigio in Italy), and the rarely seen Pineau D'Aunis and Menu Pineau (called Arbois in the Jura). If you haven't yet done so, taste a Puzelat wine. MORE >>

Ah, Bollinger … Established in 1829 in Ay, France, it’s almost impossible to know the magic of this incredible Champagne house until one has experienced a tour led by M. A few minutes later, we see some more experimental vines including Savignan, the grape from the Jura area, and Gamay. Outside Bollinger, we were met by M. dennis m. MORE >>

2) I like working with vineyards, and I really dislike tasting through hundreds of samples of bulk wine to find a few tolerably good wines, that may have already been sold by the time I got the samples. All over France great wines are being produced, many different varieties but all growing in the region they should grow or do well. MORE >>

So have you ever been in the position of blind tasting a lighter bodied, rather fruity wine, with bright red fruit flavors, minerals, and in some cases, a vertical structure? would not know if they were Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Franc. One in particular was darker, suggesting more extraction. color: purple. nose: shy. MORE >>