We are all in shock as we watch the evolving relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. There are many ways to help but I thought I’d post one in case you are trying to help but don’t quite know where to go:
American Red Cross

The well known winemaker Georges Duboeuf is navigating a bit of a PR malestrom under allegations that they have topped up their good wines with lower quality fluids…but they say it is just a confusion.
via Spittoon

I’ve discovered Pastis after moving to France. Here in my village in Champagne it is almost a staple of any decent aperitif. Either Pastis or bubbly (the local champagne or the “foreign” cremant from Alsace). Pastis may be a bit of an aquired taste but if you get used to it, it will reward you [...]

It appears that Thomas Jefferson left a legacy beyond the magnificent discovery of the French/Freedom Fries. He was also an avid wine lover and connoisseur and therefore introduced the wine-making culture to his native land. Via
gwinnettdailypost.com

Not a bad road to self-actualization…drinking your way to a wine education! Here are some traditional and online courses to improve your wine knowledge.
Via MercuryNews.com

Fear not. There is hope. If your expense budget does not quite reach to the level of champagne, you can still add a happy little fizz to your party…look for a Cremant d’Alsace next time you are in the store. (shhh….don’t tell the experts…but cremant it’s made with a method pretty close to the real [...]

Did you know that in the last 20 years New York state’s wine production grew by 65%? Ranking second only to California now? You didn’t? Hey…maybe it’s time to head east to check it out in person. Here are a few good excuses to visit…
Via PR Newswire

Here’s a South African white that got good reviews from Spectator and happens to sell at an affordable price to boot. Worth a try…via
South African WineNews