If ever proof was needed that the pendulum of taste is swinging away from those ponderous, everything-tastes-the-same-over-15%, food-averse, Parker-pleasing wines from California (and elsewhere) consider this: For two days after the publication of his insightful column on California Pinot Noir producers who refuse to follow the 'fruit bomb' trend, Eric Asimov's wine column was the MOST OFTEN EMAILED story on the New York Times site. A wine column, for heaven's sake. Maybe the guy is on to something. See also David McIntyre's column this week in the Washington Post on the same subject with Syrah in the spotlight. John Gillespi

Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Diggers Bluff 'Stray Dog' 2005. (Link)

Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2007. (Link)

Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Once Wines 'The Table' Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. (Link)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers suggests Placido Chianti 2005. (Link)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Artesa Chardonnay 2007. (Link)

New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Clos de los Siete 2007. (Link)

Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Flora Springs Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006. (Link)

Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Sitios de Bodega Roeda Conclass Verdejo 2006. (Link)

Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Bodegas Anadas Syrah Tempranillo 2006. (Link)

New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the few vintners in California making lighter, balanced and more elegant Pinot Noirs than the intense and clumsy Pinots that have been produced of late. Praise for offerings from Copain Wine Cellars, Anthill Farms, Peay Vineyards, Rhys Vineyards, Littorai Wines, Calera, Au Bon Climat, Talley Vineyards, Failla, Rivers-Marie, Arcadian, Ojai Vineyard, Inman Family Wines, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Lane Tanner, Longoria, and Porter Creek. (Link)

Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on a comeback in quality and popularity for Merlot. In a tasting of moderately priced Merlot wines, Charles Krug 2006 is judged to be best. (Link)

Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on Malbec wines from Argentina. Praise for their value overall, with nice comments on several from Bodegas Salentin, Trapiche, and Susana Balbo. (Link)

Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on the anti-alcohol policies of the French government. (Link)

Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on the evolution of Dry Creek Vineyard, with a focus on the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc 2007. (Link)

San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Viognier wines from California. Recommended are current releases from Bridlewood Estate Winery, Gregory Graham, McManis Family Vineyards, Miner Family Vineyards, and Rosenblum Cellars. (Link)

San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne profiles vintner David Hirsch and his quest for quality Pinot Noir on the Sonoma Coast. Bonne finds much to like in the wines, especially the Hirsch Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006. (Link) On another page, Bonne takes on the issue of high alcohol wines without taking sides.(Link)

San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the wines of Alto Adige. Praise for the Lagrein wines of Muri-Gries, Thurnhof, and Alois Lageder. Pinot Nero wines from Tramin, Alois Lageder, and H. Lun are also recommended. (Link)

San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley shares reader comments on restaurant wine sales in a slowing economy. Also, nice rating for Angoves 'Vineyard Select' Shiraz 2005, and for Tenuta Sant'Antonio Valpolicella 2007. (Link)

Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the unwelcome trend of high alcohol levels in Syrah wines.(Link) On another page, tasting notes on Syrahs that are balanced and not alcoholic monsters, the best of which is judged to be Sequel Syrah 2005. (Link)

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on the effects of the economy on high end wine sales, with quotes from former Houstonian Tony McClung, the national sales manger for Rosenthal Wine Merchant. (Link)

Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on wines that express terroir. Those noted are Verget Chablis 2006, Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva 2004, and Mas de Gourgonnier 2005. (Link)

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on ordering wine in restaurants. Also, nice comment for Domaine Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet 2007. (Link)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Ravenswood. Recommended are the Belloni Zinfandel 2006, Dickerson Zinfandel 2006, Big River Zinfandel 2006, Barricia Zinfandel 2006, and Teldeschi Zinfandel 2006.(Link)

Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the misuse of the Champagne name and appellation. (Link)

The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wine and food pairing rules. Recommended wines are Von Hovel Riesling 'Saar' 2007, and Pedroncelli 'Mother Clone' Zinfandel 2006. (Link)

Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on moderately priced red wines of Bordeaux. Top choice is Chateau de Parenchere 2006. (Link)

Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow reports on a comprehensive tasting of the Burgundy wines of importer Frederick Wildman. Lots to like, with many rated highly, such as Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2007. (Link)

Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on French red wines under $20. Recommended are Clos de Briords 2007, Moueix Merlot 'Encore' 2005, and J.L. Chave 'Mon Coeur' Cotes du Rhone 2006. (Link)

Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on the La Paulee celebration of Burgundy in New York. (Link)

Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle on the annual restaurant poll published by Wine & Spirits magazine. (Link)

JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Chateau Pesquie 'Les Terrasses' Cotes du Ventoux 2007. (Link)

The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on wine service in restaurants. (Link)