While humor has its place at Buvons Nature, the natural wine tasting with a plebeian touch (and ticket price), the adjective 'serious' is what comes up again and again concerning Le Grand Tasting 2010 which also takes place this week-end (December 10-11).

Both events are open to the public.

Besides meeting producers at their stands, hardcore amateurs have a chance to take Master Classes with "Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande presenting its production philosophy, as well as Champagne house Laurent-Perrier, Château Sociando-Mallet, add 'crus classés' from Sauternes and Barsac (with Climens, La Tour Blanche, Suduiraut)."

The cream of the crop in these Master Classes according to French site iDealwine is « Le Génie du Vin ».

'Genius of Wine' class, according to iDealwine includes"Cuvée René Lalou by Mumm (1998 Vintage), Chateau Angélus 2000, Chateau Gruaud Larose 2000, Clos de La Roche GC (2004) from Domaine Dujac,  Châteauneuf du Pape (1998 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe,  château Climens 1989, Ridge Monte Bello represents California and finally riesling Clos Ste Hune 2000 by Trimbach."

Outside these small sessions, all regions of France are represented in general tasting.

To name a few, I noticed Chablis by William Fevre, from Burgundy Faiveley, the Loire sent Domaine de la Taille aux Loups,  from the Rhone comes Domaine de la Mordorée, Champagne of course with Bollinger, Jacquesson, Drappier, Laurent-Perrier, Deutz, Henriot 

I will stop here before you get tipsy with envy.

Most of the event details were adapted from French site iDealwine.

Le Grand Tasting site has Full list of Producers present. Those present are all part of "Le Grand guide des vins de France 2011" by Bettane & Desseauve...