I have decided to have wine again tonight and a mini-recap of the good, bad, and ugly - French Edition (PICTURES ADDED!)

Through a combination of new medications and life adjustements that coincided with my trip to Europe I went a little crazy recently. For people who know me, recently might be too kind a description. But anyway I am back off the wagon after a week of sobriety which actually did me a hell of a lot of good. I needed it. When you start serious medication three or four days before a jaunt through France and Germany and are not watching what you drink and what you eat it can turn into disaster. But no more focusing on the bad times. As I look back now on this trip . . .as my note book comes par avion from Wiltingen, which has the list of everything tasted good, bad and ugly there were some damn good times and in the time honored tradition of my last post upon my return from Europe here is the brdged and abridged version of my trip to France, Germany and small detour to Switzerland. The pictures will be added later when I get home to my computer where they all are. Too lazy to make a damn CD.


Best Beaujolais - 2006 Georges Descombes Chiroubles VV (just wow!) Arriving in 6- 8 weeks this had the most souls and nuance of any Descombes wine I have had yet. His 2006's are a very strong follow up to his 2005's.

Runner up to best Beaujolais - 2005 Jean Foillard Morgon Cote de Py,this was consumed at a brasserie in Deauville and shcoked me how good it was. Just a wonderful texture. Like icing on a cake of red Beaujolais fruit.

Runner up to runner up for best Beaujolais - 1997 Yves Metras Fleurie sans soufre, this was so pure and so rich at the same time with a refreshing wisp of acidity. It was damn easy to drink.


Coldest cellar in the Beaujolais - Louis Claude Desvignes. Combine that with their super structured wines it was a bit of a struggle to taste.

Best toilet to praise the porcelain god - I would have to say the Best Western Henry II in Beaune. Floor seemed softer than at the hotel in Julienas. So if you get sick . . .check into a Best Western and yak your brains out. Do not yak in Julienas.

Most inexplicable meal - Thai/Chinese food in Beaune after a day of 7 appts with David Lillie. I got sick the next day. But barely had any food that whole day less some M & M's my girlfriend packed for me.


Winemaker who seemed he was having the best time at Deauville - Rene Mosse, when he was not shucking oysters at the speed of light he was putting back wine like there was no tomorrow. The man knows how to live. Love his wines too. Austere but there is great fruit and structure. Pure, unadulterated Chenin.


Best Moustache - Jo Landron (pic coming soon)


Best pose for a picture - Alice and Olivier de Moor


Happiest winemaker regardless of what was going on - Marcel Richaud. I think I have a man-crush on him.

Best wine in the room at Deauville on Day 1 - 2006 Alice and Olivier de Moor Chablis "Rosette." Just nervey stuff with stalagmite-like minerality and epic length. Stunning wine.


Best wine in the room at Deauville on Day 2 - 2006 Robinot Pineau d'Aunis. Guy is full of energy and life. An eccentric artist type. Do not remember the name of the cuvee I liked but he also makes a hell of a sparkling pineau d'Aunis too. You can read more about him and his wines here. For what it's worth I did not get the whites at all. Just heavy handed and not lithe or elegant like the Belliviere's but he is making some damn compelling Pineau d'Aunis. Not in the extracted style of recent vintages of Belliviere (2004, 2005). Much more Burgundian and Pinot Noir-like.


Best Burgundian visit - Rapet. His '06's are stunning and show a remarkable sense of place. Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses village wines were standouts. The Corton Charlemagne was tight and minerally but with lovely opulence lurking underneath. he is a standup guy and in no way as closed as most of the other Burgundian winemakers I met.


Most religious experience with Saucission - Descombes makes his own. This was so packed with flavor I could not believe it. David had to restrain me from eating the the whole damn pig.

I am tired......there will be another French edition and I will update this post with pics soon. But watch out for the german edition. Schiezer!!!