David Hirsch poured me a sample of his 2008 “The Bohans-Dillon&# pinot noir at the recent trade tasting of his New York distributor. He added that people like to “drink pinot and talk terroir.&# Well, he said, this was the terroir of 2008. Putting the “air&# in terroir, one might say. MORE >>

Here’s a report of the terroir of 5700 South Lafayette St: Standing at what would be the John Raber House’s front steps — they’ve been removed to stymie squatters — it’s difficult to imagine much anything of beauty rising there. Bill Lavicka doesn’t lack ambition. But now he wants to make an estate wine. MORE >>

"The Italians seem so happy to be here in New York," says a friend, after the Friday night close of the Italian Wine Exchange Grand Tasting. Terroir: Diversity and Complexity of Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Professor Attilio Scienza. Seminar Tasting. "Why is that?" MORE >>

This week at the Italian Culinary Center in New York City I had the pleasure of meeting Adolfo Folonari, co-CEO of Ruffino, who put together a tasting of his wines, and Cesare Casella, currently of Salumeria Rosi, who created the pairing menu. Superiore rules require yields 10% lower than Chianti Classico. MORE >>

Citing fatigue of “living by the rule of the trade,” he told me at the recent tasting of his wines in New York that he has not journeyed to Maryland to present his portfolio to the Wine Advocate for two years. He works with retailers such as Chambers Street Wines in NYC and Terroir in SF as well as restaurants. MORE >>