Recently, we've noticed we were wandering the wine store aisles trying to find that next new, thrilling wine (the kind we'd be thinking about for days) and we'd pick a bottle off the shelf and turn it around. Not for marketers' flowery language ("soft velvet texture"), but for something much more telling - a statement of philosophy in winemaking, grape growing and business standards. We were looking to see who imported this wine. There are... more ›

If you want to start a lengthy, heated debate with an oenophile, ask them their opinion on wine rating systems. It’s likely they’ll talk about the “Parkerization” of wine – this idea that producers are catering to the preferences of Robert Parker to secure high scores for their wines to sell more product. They may mention the dangers of consumers following the scores in Wine Spectator like they were baseball stats versus listening to their own palate. Or throw out alarmist phrases like “the loss of terroir” and a global market of wine catered to the American “Coca- Cola” palate. Ok, you probably don’t want to talk to those people because they are a little pretentious, but in general we share the same concerns. It’s not that we have an issue with the idea of a wine rating system; it’s just that in general, we find most of them a little broken. more ›

It’s official, Astor Wine and Spirits has moved into their “New Landmark Location” on 399 Lafayette at 4th St. (yeah, that’s pretty much right around the corner). While the old location was our old standby for a nice selection and decent prices, their new location comes with promises of 50% larger selling floor, greater selection and hopefully more free tastings. To celebrate their fancy new digs Astor is offering special promotions all week long… more ›

The latest on the Legere case: Legere pleaded not guilty on Monday and the D.A. said the death penalty will not be pursued (there's no capital punishment law in place). A funeral was held for Detective Patrick Rafferty yesterday; Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly, plus thousands of other mourners, attended the service. Additionally, the two detectives were posthumously promoted to first grade detective. more ›

The NYPD was rocked by the murders of two police detectives by an ex-con they were investigating on Friday night. Marlon Legere, a 28 year old man, had been fighting with his mother and taken keys to her car. The mother, Melva Legere, then called the police because she was worried that the unlicensed Marlon would get into an accident. When Detective Robert Parker and Patrick Rafferty went to the East Flatbush home to confront Legere, who then grabbed one of their guns and shot them both. The detectives shot back, but were gravely injured; Detective Parker managed to call 911 and tell the dispatcher the murderer was the man in the mugshot on their dashboard; police officers, squad cars, and helicopters descended in Brooklyn to apprehend Legere who was trying to get away. Legere had been at a girlfriend's house, telling her his wounds were from a confrontation with the Bloods but then admitting he shot police officers; she kicked him out. Legere nows faces murder charges. more ›