Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous estate in Graves, south of Bordeaux and this year they (literally) rolled the red carpet to kick off En Primeur 2011 and welcome fellow Bordelais and the 108 international journalists visiting for En Primeur. Teitgen and learned all about the soils in their various plots. MORE >>

The driver has just deposited me at this famous wine estate in Saint-Emilion and since I have a small collection at home, am very excited to talk about the wine and taste some classic vintages during dinner. The majority of  Saint-Émilion wines are dominated by Merlot, so Figeac is more similar to the wines of the Medoc and Graves. MORE >>

During this week, journalists are divided into small groups to taste the wines of various regions each day. am in the "blind" tasting group with several other top name journalists and together we will taste the whites and the reds of the Grand Cru Classe De Graves "blind.". 3,600-4,800 bottles (white wine). MORE >>

Tasting through her recent vintages here- particularly in a vineyard such the premier cru of Clavoillon (which used to be a bid of an underperformer in the Leflaive stable)- it is pretty hard not to agree with her wholeheartedly in the greater signature of terroir in the Leflaive wines today. Natural wines are growing in popularity. MORE >>

We are here at this fun restaurant overlooking 57th street to taste some of Jean-Jacques new releases for the American market, and I am excited by the opportunity to ask a Uco Valley producer a variety of questions about the terroir of this Argentine region about an hour south of Mendoza, and taste his wines. Lagravière. Quite juicy! MORE >>