The first meetup of The Wine Society of Queens was held this weekend at The Wine Room of Forest Hills , where we sampled over a dozen new wines from California, France, Argentina, Italy, Spain and even Georgia (Russia). At the tail end hints of tea leaves, bits of cedar, milk chocolate and roasted marshmallow finish of nicely. MORE >>

Among the innovative trends is the production of organic wines such as the Mutuo 100% Tempranillo and the Mutuo Crianza, a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 5% Garnacha. Through their importer PRGrisley , I was sent a sample of both wines. The second night I had the 100% Tempranillo. That, I would not recommend. MORE >>

Antoine Arena The Corsican magician 2007 Carco This is a barrel sample, who knows what will happen but glug glug, I say. After tasting the OLIVIER RIVERE Rioja barrel samples for two years in France I got to taste it in bottle right on Lafayette Street. But right now Im an an Alsatian Pinot Gris roll. FINALLY! Great little wine. MORE >>

Finally, Senor Viu offered to send me samples of the wines directly from the winery. Of the six wines, the 2008 Veleta Vijirieja stood out as a zippy summer sipper and the 2006 Veleta Noladas, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and tempranillo had some interesting complexity; both were good values at under $15. accepted. MORE >>

We enjoyed a Termes Tempranillo 2006 from Spain, 3 Piedmont reds, and an Umbrian Sangiovese. Manducati Rustica, an offshoot of Manducati's in the Long Island City/Hunters Point area of Queens, is a spot I actually found by chance while cycling through the neighborhood. feeling more like you're in someone's home. MORE >>