Robert M. Parker, Jr. is the "star" of a satirical French comic book describing itself as "l'Anti-Guide Parker," whose title translates as: "Robert Parker - the Seven Deadly Sins." Details at Alder Yarrow's excellent blog: http://www.vinography.com/archives/2010/11/robert_m_parker_jr_the_cartoon.ht ml Jancis Robinson reports average prices at the Hospices de Beaune auction up 12.5% over 2009, Asian participation in the market and the relatively small 2010 crop being apparent factors. United States registered buyers accounted for just 1.6% of purchases: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/a20101122.html Especially for those who enjoy malbec, NY Times ran a recent article on Mendoza as a wine tourism destination, "Argentina's Napa Valley": http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/travel/21Mendoza.html?scp=1 <http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/travel/21Mendoza.html?scp=1&sq=argenti na%20napa%20valley&st=cse> &sq=argentina%20napa%20valley&st=cse Our friends Mike Dombrow and Ken Liss of Lake Wine & Spirits, recently featured on heavytable.com, are hosting a December 8 grand opening party, 6:00-9:00 pm. You may already have received Mike's e-mail on the subject, but if not, and if you're interested in going, you should contact him (dirty(a)visi.com) for an invitation. (Do get an invitation; he says it's officially not open to the public.) Happy Thanksgiving to all!