Wine Regions / France
Champagne Charles Ellner
Charles Ellner began his career as a riddler, the person who rotates bottles to ensure Champagne's bubbles develop properly. He went on to own what has become a highly acclaimed Champagne house. Sommelier Paul Grieco tastes a lovely Champagne Charles Ellner Brut with producer Sylvain Allart. More »
Clos Vougeot Musigni, Gros Frere et Soeur
Ben Giliberti loves this powerful and age-worthy 2005 Clos Vougeot. Gros Frere is among the most conscientious Clos Vougeot producers and owns one of the best parcels of vineyard land, just beneath the slope of the legendary grand cru Musigny. More »
Right Bank Bordeaux Tasting
Wine Taste TV's Ben Giliberti takes us to the Right Bank, with two merlot dominated Bordeaux offerings from 2004: Chateau D'Aiguilhe and La Tour Figeac. More »
Hotel de Vigny, Paris
In the bustling food and wine mecca of Paris, there is an oasis of calm and tranquility -- and, of course, more great food and wine. Discover the luxurious Hotel de Vigny, recognized by Relais et Chateaux as one of the finest hotels in the world. More »
John Kolasa: Bordeaux Winemaker
Bordeaux winemaker John Kolasa talks with Wine Taste TV about the 2004 vintage for Rauzan Segla and Chateau Canon. Will the neglected vintage that offers great value today develop into greater wines after another decade in the bottle? More »
Sensational Serveaux
Andrew McMurray continues on his tasting voyage through Champagne, joining expert Sylvain Allart to taste the wines of Serveaux Fils. Find out what sets this small producer apart from the pack (hint: it's all in the grapes). More »
Gevrey Chambertin, Robert Groffier 2005
Ben Giliberti tastes a 2005 red Burgundy from the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin. Some of the grandest wines of this commune are among the longest-lived red wines of Burgundy and require lots of aging to show their best. But this village level Gevrey-Chambertin has lots of bright cherry fruit and is deliciously ready to drink now. More »
Jeremy Seysses, Domaine Dujac
Paul Grieco and Robert Bohr taste the elegant wines of Domaine Dujac, one of Burgundy's finest producers, with winemaker Jeremy Seysses. More »
Medoc Marathon
Watch as serious runners, serious drinkers, and serious lunatics take part in the world famous Medoc Marathon -- the world’s first marathon with mandatory wine tastings! Famous stops include Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Pomys, and Chateau Phelan Segur. Some people will do anything to get a taste of a great Bordeaux! More »
Margaux Times Two
Nobody balances oak with fruit better than the winemakers of Bordeaux. Tasting wines from the 2004 vintage of the prestigiuos Margaux region, Ben Giliberti samples two wines that are on two opposite ends of the oak spectrum. One wine shows lots of oak, one very little, but they're both delicious and both perfect examples of classic Margaux style. More »
Chateau Lynch-Bages Family History
His great grandfather was a baker, then an insurance salesman, and then a winemaker - and the rest is history. Mari Stull speaks with Jean-Charles Cazes, the young new president of the celebrated winery Chateau Lynch-Bages. Jean-Charles discusses his plans for the company, including their expansion into exciting new wine regions. More »
Domaine Drouhin Oregon
An expansion of Robert Drouhin's legendary French company, Domain Drouhin is a little bit of Burgundy in Oregon's wine country. Discover an old world winemaking family that has sown the seeds of success in the new world of Willamette Valley, as Veronique Drouhin introduces us to her thoroughly French family and wine. More »
Dijon
In the heart of Burgundy’s wine country lies a forgotten city of wine: Dijon! Although Dijon is most well-known for its mustard, that mustard never would have existed if not for wine! Discover this beautiful and historical city just moments away from some of France’s most famous vineyards. More »
Schloss Gobelsburg
It may have been run by Cistercian monks since the twelfth century, but for the last five years, Schloss Gobelsburg has been under the management of an enthusiastic young vintner with a philosophy of low intervention winemaking. Discover one of Austria’s pre-eminent wineries in the historic and enchanting city of Vienna. More »
Champagne Henri Giraud
You can practically feel the bubbles tingling on your tongue as Paul Grieco speaks with Claude Giraud of the Champagne label Henri Giraud. They discuss the exciting changes in the Champagne market. More »
Champagne Air Show
Experience France’s beautiful Champagne region from the heights of a hot air balloon! Join host Francis Legros on this unique adventure, which naturally ends with a bottle of champagne! More »
Volnay-Caillerets, Pousse d'Or
Ben Giliberti tastes an outstanding 2005 red Burgundy from the highly regarded Domaine Pousse d'Or. Along with Chambolle-Musigny, Volnay produces the most intensely fragrant wines of Burgundy. This Volnay-Caillerets has a remarkable bouquet of spring flowers, violets, and cherry- strawberry fruit. More »
Jean-Luc Colombo
Mari Stull talks about wine, food and fun with Jean-Luc Colombo, also known as the winemaking wizard of the Rhone and famed for producing innovative wines with real personality. More »
Pommard Clos de la Platiere, Prince de Merode
Ben Giliberti tastes this 2005 red Burgundy from the prestigious domain of Prince de Merode and finds it remarkably ready to drink now. With forward fruit, the reds of Pommard are among the most popular Burgundies and this complex, superbly defined wine will improve in the cellar over the next five to seven years. More »
Chateau d'Adomenil
What can make a day of wine tastings in France even better? Settling into the luxurious comfort of Chateau d’Adomenil, a beautiful hotel ideally situated amongst Frances’ most exciting wine regions. Owner Michelle Million takes us behind the scenes of his family’s beautiful inn. More »
Vosne-Romanee, Hudelot-Noellat
Ben Giliberti reviews this classy 2005 red Burgundy from Hudelot-Noellat. Many consider Vosne-Romanee to be the single best commune of Burgundy, offering a balance of power and subtlety allied with silky fruit. More »
Morey St Denis Aux Charmes, Amiot Pere et Fils
Ben Giliberti tastes this well structured 2005 red Burgundy from the commune of Morey Saint-Denis, which sits between Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. Just over the border from Gevrey-Chambertin, it offers a similarly powerful style in this award winning vintage. More »
Bruno Eynard, Chateau Lagrange
As the new head winemaker for the acclaimed Chateau Lagrange, Bruno Eynard knows more than a little about great Bordeaux wines. Now, he sits down with Ben Giliberti to discuss the recent vintages from this historic Grand Cru winery. More »
Jacques Bavard: 2005 Bourgogne Chardonnay
Jacques Bavard shares his 2005 Bourgogne with Rick Pitcher and WineTasteTV. A restauranteur turned winemaker, his first bottling provides a rich expression of chardonnay in an "easy" and nearly perfect vintage. More »
Corton-Renardes, Prince de Merode
Ben Giliberti tastes this fabulous 2005 red Burgundy from the prestigious Prince de Merode. Corton is the only gran cru that produces both red and white Burgundies and although this wine is delicious now, it will continue to improve for a decade or more. More »
Emmanuel Cruse, Chateau d'Issan
It was served at the marriage of Alienor d'Aquitaine in the middle ages, praised by princes in the 18th century, and the favorite of an Austrian emperor almost two centuries ago. Now, Chateau d'Issan is considered a sexy and modern easy-drinking wine. Emmanuel Cruse talks about his favorite vintage in recent history. More »
Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Rouge, Jean Marc Pillot
Ben Giliberti evaluates this 2005 red Burgundy from the up-and-coming domain of Jean Marc Pillot. Although Chassagne-Montrachet is better known for white wines, it's reds can be complex and extremely interesting. The Morgeot premier cru produces some of the best red wines of the appellation. More »
Burgundy vs. California Competition
France may be the undisputed king of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but will the tasting panel favor the upstart California wines? See the excitement and silliness of the French Wine Society's 'France vs. the Rest of the World' tasting at the D.C International Wine Festival. More »
Daniel Johnnes
Paul Grieco talks with Daniel Johnnes, big-time sommelier turned small-time wine producer. Find out what made Johnnes fall in love with Burgundy, and what's so important about finding a wine with a 'Sense of grape, sense of place, and sense of man.' More »
Loire Valley Wines: Dessert Wines
Ever wonder how a dessert wine is made? Brian Duncan educates us on the process a grape undergoes to create those sweet and fruity flavors we crave and what they pair well with. More »
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Wine Taste TV's Bonnie Graves talks with Allen Meadows at this year's World of Pinot Noir event. Find out how he developed his unrivaled passion for Pinot Noir and became one of the world's foremost authorities on Burgundy. More »
Restaurant Le Vigneron
In the town of Reims in the Champagne region, Restaurant Le Vigneron takes appreciation of the celebrated regional wine to a new level. Chef and owner M. Herve Liegent serves only Champagne in his acclaimed dining room. Let your mouth water as he prepares an incredible dish to pair with his bubbly bottles of wine: decadent seared foie gras. More »
Terrazas
Although it may be owned by one of Frances’ premier Champagne producers, Bodega Terrazas is a distinctly Argentine destination. Discover this acclaimed winery tucked away in the Mendoza region to learn first hand why the altitude of the Andes makes all the difference in producing superior wines such as Malbec, the greatest grape of Argentina. More »
Chambolle-Musigny, Hudelot-Noellat
Ben Giliberti tastes this elegant 2005 red Burgundy from Chambolle-Musigny. Along with Volnay, Chambolle-Musigny produces the most fragrant wines of Burgundy, and this wine offers notes of violets and sweet fruit on the nose. More »
Champagne Charles Ellner
Continue to explore the joys of Champagne in Andrew McMurray's series on the greatest wines from one of the world's greatest regions. In this episode Andrew tastes five wonderful Champagnes from the prestigious producer Charles Ellner. More »
Maison Champy
Until the end of the 20th century, Maison Champy in Burgundy was always owned and operated by the Champy family. As one of the oldest wineries in the region, that was no small feat! Now, however, Pierre Meurgey has taken ownership of this prominent company, and sits down to talk candidly about his respect for the past and plans for the future. More »
2005 Bordeaux Debut
Do the 2005 Bordeaux live up to the hype that's been building ever since the harvest? Ben Giliberti takes you behind the scenes at the Union of Grand Cru tasting to get the inside story from top Chateau owners. More »
Grand Cru Godme
Zachy's Andrew McMurray shares one of the highlights of his trip to Champagne: Champagne Godme. Watch Andrew fall in love with those tiny bubbles as he tastes Godme's exquisite, moderately priced Champagnes. More »
Beaune Clos de la Mousse, Bouchard
Ben Giliberti tastes this ready to drink 2005 red Burgundy. Although Beaune is best known for its white wines, this lighter style red from Bouchard Pere et Fils is quite appealing in 2005. More »
Nuits-St Georges, Henri Gouges
Ben Giliberti tastes two 2005 Nuits St Georges from legendary Burgundy producer Henri Gouges. Les Chenes-Carteaux and Clos des Porrets are built for the long haul, and these two premier cru will be at their best in 10 to 15 years. More »
Classified Growth Bordeaux Tasting
Wine Taste TV's Ben Giliberti continues with his 2004 Bordeaux tastings with two moderately priced offerings: Haut Batailley and La Tour Carnet. More »
Annabelle Cruse-Bardinet, Chateau Corbin
Annabelle Cruse-Bardinet comes from a long line of winemakers, so it's no surprise that she's making her own mark on Bordeaux at Chateau Corbin. A small estate in the heart of the Saint Emillion region, Corbin has been producing elegant, fruit-forward wines for years. More »
Loire Valley Wine: Cabernet Franc
This wine for grown-ups can range from elegant and delicate to rustic and chewy. Join Brian Duncan as he talks about two Loire Valley Cabernet Francs and what they pair well with. More »
Saint Julien Second Labels
For fine Bordeaux on a budget, second labels offer Saturday night style on a Tuesday night budget. Ben Giliberti tastes three Saint Julien offerings from 2004 with elegant style at a reduced price. More »
Pommery Champagne
Several of the greatest Champagne houses in France were brought to fame due to the diligence of winemakers’ widows, and the prestigious Pommery Estate is one of them. Now, Pommery is helmed by the charming Prince Allain de Polignac, who shares the history and his hopes for the future of this highly regarded producer. More »
Jean-Charles Cazes
The legendary Chateau Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux dates back to the 18th century, but the new president of the company is only 32 years old. His fresh outlook and respect for tradition has resulted in some wonderful wines. Join Mari Stull, as they taste through a selection of fine wines. More »