The following is a guest post by my good friend John Hennessy:

I just returned from a trip including a day jaunt to Reims for Champagne tasting. Here’s some information that may be helplful if you are planning a similar, quick trip:  

1. Do it.  It’s a nice bucket list thing and there are some pretty cool parts of the tours.
2. It’s not cheap, so be thoughtful about how many wine houses you want to schedule.
3. The tour guide speeches are almost identical.  Unlike wine country in the US, where the winery staff are at least wannabe wine geeks, the staff in Reims we are all professional tour guides…great on the script…not so much depth if you have a question.
4. Write ahead for appointments.  Not a lot of walk-ins, and you will have a sense of mission. 
5. You can cross town in about 40 minutes walking…and that will come into play.
6. Despite available dog potty spots, neither dogs nor humans seem to use them…watch your step.
7.  I enjoyed Pommery the most but was torn because their brand “POP” is clearly appealing to underage drinkers
8.  Save time to visit the cathedral…stunning, with Marc Chagall stained glass windows.
9. There are three good microbrew pubs, including one right by the train station if you need to cleanse your palate on the way out of town. Les 3 Brasseurs (see les3brasseurs.com) at 77 Place Drouet d’Erlon and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin at 12 Rue du Temple. Yes, that’s the same Veuve Clicquot that makes great bubbly.
10. Share your experiences with friends and others!

Photo from http://www.accommodationnear.com.

The “news cycle” in these days of the Internet and social media sometimes goes in circles, as it did today when someone, somewhere posted a link to a 2009 New York Daily News article that quoted a 2009 U.K. Daily Mail article that quoted a 2009 medical study about red wine and its affect on sex.

I must admit that the report is rather intriguing, even if it is more than a year old.

Here’s what the study was about and what the researchers found:

Although there had been prior favorable evidence connecting moderate red wine to men’s sexual health, nobody had studied whether there was a similar correlation among women. So, Nicola Mondaini and colleagues at the University of Florence asked 798 women in the Chianti region to participate in their study. After dividing the women into groups based on their usual red wine intake, the researchers asked them to complete a standardized sexual health questionnaire.

The results showed that women who drank one or two glasses of red wine daily scored much higher on measures of desire and lubrication - and overall sexual health - than women who either abstained from alcohol or drank more than two glasses of red wine daily or consumed white wine or other alcohol.

Dr. Mondaini says the “intriguing” results have their limitations because of the study’s methodology, but they certainly suggest a connection “between red wine consumption and better sexuality.”

Yet another reason I prefer red wine.

• 2010 Canyon Road Pinot Noir - USA, California (11/12/2011)
  Although this wine doesn’t have much pinot character, it’s a good-drinking wine for the very low retail price (around $7.) Unlike other value wines, this has some real berry on the palate and a slightly tight, pleasant, lingering finish. Perfectly reasonable choice for a casual party. (Disclosure: I am tasting this on a United Airlines flight, and I previously received a sample bottle from the winery.) (81 points)
• 2010 Infinite Monkey Theorem Alvarinho - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (11/6/2011)
  Slightly metallic nose. Green apple and grapefruit. Lingering finish. Would go well with chicken or vegetable dishes. (88 points) Tasted at Row 14 wine bar in Denver.
• 2008 Red Diamond Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington (10/27/2011)
  Very soft palate with a sweet, almost medicinal finish. Heavy on the cherry notes. Not fabulous but cannot complain given the low price. (76 points) Tasted at Next Door in New York.
  
• 2008 Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve - USA, Virginia (10/23/2011)
  Crisp, hints of pear, lingering finish. Drink now. (88 points)

Posted from CellarTracker

If this wine were sold for less than $32, I probably would like it. In Virginia, perhaps the selection of wines is more limited and a wine like this makes sense. Produced by Michael Shaps, one of the earlier entries into the Virginia wine industry, this is a wine that starts sweet, rolls nicely over the tongue and has a slightly tart, medium finish. A very good example of Viognier, and perhaps the best example of Virginia Viognier that we have had so far, this is certainly a very credible wine - just not my favorite. I rate it 88.

This 2008 Maycas del Limari Chardonnay from Chile has a balance of complexity, minerality and fruit to make an interesting white wine worth lingering over. Generally a light texture, the flavors of pineapple, vanilla and butter combine well. Sells for around $18. I rate is 91 and recommend it for a seafood or chicken dinner.

Sivas-Sonoma 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. The nose on this Sauvignon Blanc made me feel as if I was rolling in a field of fresh-cut grass. Its flavor is a complex blend of green pepper and sour apple. And it has a medium finish that leaves the apple flavor on the tongue. Sivas-Sonoma is the Sebastiani family’s re-entry into the wine business. I rate is 86. Sells for about $14.

Jefferson Vineyards winemaker Andy Reagan says this has a “kitchen sink” blend to make this $19 pinot gris a summery white table wine. Has a touch of effervescence and noticeable minerality, with a very short finish making this one suitable for stand-up drinking on a hot day (like today!) I rate is 89.

Crisp, Italian white wine with really smooth texture and soft, lingering finish. Available around the country for around $20-$25 or $17 at http://Tabarrini.us. I rate is 90.