Catavino: Sameness in Wine - Quit Whining and Start Exploring
RichardA
· 2 years ago
I certainly fully agree with the sentiment that one should explore all types of wines, from all different regions. I am always on the lookout for wines from less common countries or regions. I will buy a wine just because I have never had one from a certain country or region. Just to see what it is like. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. But the exploration is fun.
For a few examples, during the past year, I tried:
2003 Musar Cuvee Rouge from Lebabon, which turned out to be an excellent wine.
2006 Craftsman Pinot Noir Rose from Hungary which was another very good wine.
2004 Lyriakis Dafni from Crete. Dafni may be one of the oldest recorded varietals still in use. An unusual but good wine.
2004 Canopy Tres Patas from the Mentrida D.O. of Spain, certainly a little know region outside of Spain.
And back in September, I attended a tasting at a local wine store if Unusual Varietals and blends, 50 wines off the beaten path. It was great to try so many different wines. They are holding another similar tasting next month.
So I would second Ryan's sentiments. Explore!
RichardA
· 2 years ago
I certainly fully agree with the sentiment that one should explore all types of wines, from all different regions. I am always on the lookout for wines from less common countries or regions. I will buy a wine just because I have never had one from a certain country or region. Just to see what it is like. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. But the exploration is fun.
For a few examples, during the past year, I tried: 2003 Musar Cuvee Rouge from Lebabon, which turned out to be an excellent wine. 2006 Craftsman Pinot Noir Rose from Hungary which was another very good wine. 2004 Lyriakis Dafni from Crete. Dafni may be one of the oldest recorded varietals still in use. An unusual but good wine. 2004 Canopy Tres Patas from the Mentrida D.O. of Spain, certainly a little know region outside of Spain.
And back in September, I attended a tasting at a local wine store if Unusual Varietals and blends, 50 wines off the beaten path. It was great to try so many different wines. They are holding another similar tasting next month.
So I would second Ryan's sentiments. Explore!
Jeff Cleveland
· 2 years ago
I recently had a wine from the Languedoc that blew me away. It was the 2002 Domaine Lignères Corbières Cabanon de Pascal Montagne d'Alaric. Here is my note from CellarTracker:
10/24/2007 rated 94 points: This wine has the most beautiful earthiness I've ever smelled in a wine. It also includes raspberries and then some secondary aromas that have developed with bottle age. The fruit on the palate can't be described as anything but delicious. It's smooth, almost elegant, and shows a lot of "aged" flavors. The finish is extremely long. This is the best wine I've had in a long time.
This wine isn't as unusual as some of the ones Richard listed but it was something I found while "exploring" and I'm so glad that I found it.
Jeff Cleveland
· 2 years ago
I recently had a wine from the Languedoc that blew me away. It was the 2002 Domaine Lignères Corbières Cabanon de Pascal Montagne d'Alaric. Here is my note from CellarTracker:
10/24/2007 rated 94 points: This wine has the most beautiful earthiness I've ever smelled in a wine. It also includes raspberries and then some secondary aromas that have developed with bottle age. The fruit on the palate can't be described as anything but delicious. It's smooth, almost elegant, and shows a lot of "aged" flavors. The finish is extremely long. This is the best wine I've had in a long time.
This wine isn't as unusual as some of the ones Richard listed but it was something I found while "exploring" and I'm so glad that I found it.
chris
· 2 years ago
I just found your site. I am a sommelier/product consultant for the liquor control board of ontario in canada.
Gabriella
· 2 years ago
Welcome aboard Chris! We would love to hear any comments or thoughts you have on our posts, and are absolutely confident that you'd bring a great perspective to the table. Please let us know if we can answer any specific questions for you or if you would like us to do any research on a topic.
Gabriella
· 2 years ago
Welcome aboard Chris! We would love to hear any comments or thoughts you have on our posts, and are absolutely confident that you'd bring a great perspective to the table. Please let us know if we can answer any specific questions for you or if you would like us to do any research on a topic.
Joe M
· 2 years ago
I'm all for vinous exploration. And I'm all for not whining in most cases.
An exception would be when it comes to pointing out the fact (or whining) that a lot of wines from all over the world taste awfully similar. Wineries are rewarded by much of the press for producing these cookie cutter wines. And the press drives the market, not the other way around. Let me repeat that statement: THE PRESS DRIVES THE MARKET. As anyone who works for a wholesaler or especially a retail shop will attest, many customers want wines with points. So I will happily read, and tell others to read, blogs from people like Alice Feiring, Manuel Camblor and Lyle Fass, to name a few, because their viewpoint is so staunchly independent of, and radically different from, most of the wine media. Yes their opinions are strong, and they may come across as whiney, overly geeky and didactic at times, but I can live with that. As long as I'm enjoying myself and learning something, I'll keep on reading.
So, I say, long live the wine whining! Now if only I read French, so that I could check out that new Noisettier book....
Joe M
· 2 years ago
I'm all for vinous exploration. And I'm all for not whining in most cases.
An exception would be when it comes to pointing out the fact (or whining) that a lot of wines from all over the world taste awfully similar. Wineries are rewarded by much of the press for producing these cookie cutter wines. And the press drives the market, not the other way around. Let me repeat that statement: THE PRESS DRIVES THE MARKET. As anyone who works for a wholesaler or especially a retail shop will attest, many customers want wines with points. So I will happily read, and tell others to read, blogs from people like Alice Feiring, Manuel Camblor and Lyle Fass, to name a few, because their viewpoint is so staunchly independent of, and radically different from, most of the wine media. Yes their opinions are strong, and they may come across as whiney, overly geeky and didactic at times, but I can live with that. As long as I'm enjoying myself and learning something, I'll keep on reading.
So, I say, long live the wine whining! Now if only I read French, so that I could check out that new Noisettier book....
Ryan
· 2 years ago
You made my point. Wines that taste similar should be punished. The funny part is that I agree about the press driving sales, not by points unless you follow parker, but just by talking about wine. Therefore this article is written for the segment of the press that I see whining. If you are the mainstream press or a blog, quit whining and start talking about the wines that are different. Whining does no good, be proactive go find those wines that are different and let us know about them.
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
Ryan
· 2 years ago
You made my point. Wines that taste similar should be punished. The funny part is that I agree about the press driving sales, not by points unless you follow parker, but just by talking about wine. Therefore this article is written for the segment of the press that I see whining. If you are the mainstream press or a blog, quit whining and start talking about the wines that are different. Whining does no good, be proactive go find those wines that are different and let us know about them.
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
Ryan
· 2 years ago
You made my point. Wines that taste similar should be punished. The funny part is that I agree about the press driving sales, not by points unless you follow parker, but just by talking about wine. Therefore this article is written for the segment of the press that I see whining. If you are the mainstream press or a blog, quit whining and start talking about the wines that are different. Whining does no good, be proactive go find those wines that are different and let us know about them.
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
Ryan Opaz
· 2 years ago
You made my point. Wines that taste similar should be punished. The funny part is that I agree about the press driving sales, not by points unless you follow parker, but just by talking about wine. Therefore this article is written for the segment of the press that I see whining. If you are the mainstream press or a blog, quit whining and start talking about the wines that are different. Whining does no good, be proactive go find those wines that are different and let us know about them.
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
Joe M
· 2 years ago
Ryan,
The press certainly does drive sales by talking about wine, but presently, many more boxes of wine are sold in the US market if they are pointed either by Parker or the Wine Spectator. The ratio of customers who approach me asking for that Spanish wine which was 94 pts Parker and $30, or in the Spectator Top 100, versus customers who were reading about an exciting newly popular region in Spain and would like to try one of their wines, is still about 5-1.
Didn't mean to exclude your blog in my comment. Will add you to my links, and thanks for adding me as well!
Best,
Joe
Joe M
· 2 years ago
Ryan,
The press certainly does drive sales by talking about wine, but presently, many more boxes of wine are sold in the US market if they are pointed either by Parker or the Wine Spectator. The ratio of customers who approach me asking for that Spanish wine which was 94 pts Parker and $30, or in the Spectator Top 100, versus customers who were reading about an exciting newly popular region in Spain and would like to try one of their wines, is still about 5-1.
Didn't mean to exclude your blog in my comment. Will add you to my links, and thanks for adding me as well!
All Comments
For a few examples, during the past year, I tried:
2003 Musar Cuvee Rouge from Lebabon, which turned out to be an excellent wine.
2006 Craftsman Pinot Noir Rose from Hungary which was another very good wine.
2004 Lyriakis Dafni from Crete. Dafni may be one of the oldest recorded varietals still in use. An unusual but good wine.
2004 Canopy Tres Patas from the Mentrida D.O. of Spain, certainly a little know region outside of Spain.
And back in September, I attended a tasting at a local wine store if Unusual Varietals and blends, 50 wines off the beaten path. It was great to try so many different wines. They are holding another similar tasting next month.
So I would second Ryan's sentiments. Explore!
For a few examples, during the past year, I tried:
2003 Musar Cuvee Rouge from Lebabon, which turned out to be an excellent wine.
2006 Craftsman Pinot Noir Rose from Hungary which was another very good wine.
2004 Lyriakis Dafni from Crete. Dafni may be one of the oldest recorded varietals still in use. An unusual but good wine.
2004 Canopy Tres Patas from the Mentrida D.O. of Spain, certainly a little know region outside of Spain.
And back in September, I attended a tasting at a local wine store if Unusual Varietals and blends, 50 wines off the beaten path. It was great to try so many different wines. They are holding another similar tasting next month.
So I would second Ryan's sentiments. Explore!
10/24/2007 rated 94 points: This wine has the most beautiful earthiness I've ever smelled in a wine. It also includes raspberries and then some secondary aromas that have developed with bottle age. The fruit on the palate can't be described as anything but delicious. It's smooth, almost elegant, and shows a lot of "aged" flavors. The finish is extremely long. This is the best wine I've had in a long time.
This wine isn't as unusual as some of the ones Richard listed but it was something I found while "exploring" and I'm so glad that I found it.
10/24/2007 rated 94 points: This wine has the most beautiful earthiness I've ever smelled in a wine. It also includes raspberries and then some secondary aromas that have developed with bottle age. The fruit on the palate can't be described as anything but delicious. It's smooth, almost elegant, and shows a lot of "aged" flavors. The finish is extremely long. This is the best wine I've had in a long time.
This wine isn't as unusual as some of the ones Richard listed but it was something I found while "exploring" and I'm so glad that I found it.
An exception would be when it comes to pointing out the fact (or whining) that a lot of wines from all over the world taste awfully similar. Wineries are rewarded by much of the press for producing these cookie cutter wines. And the press drives the market, not the other way around. Let me repeat that statement: THE PRESS DRIVES THE MARKET. As anyone who works for a wholesaler or especially a retail shop will attest, many customers want wines with points. So I will happily read, and tell others to read, blogs from people like Alice Feiring, Manuel Camblor and Lyle Fass, to name a few, because their viewpoint is so staunchly independent of, and radically different from, most of the wine media. Yes their opinions are strong, and they may come across as whiney, overly geeky and didactic at times, but I can live with that. As long as I'm enjoying myself and learning something, I'll keep on reading.
So, I say, long live the wine whining! Now if only I read French, so that I could check out that new Noisettier book....
An exception would be when it comes to pointing out the fact (or whining) that a lot of wines from all over the world taste awfully similar. Wineries are rewarded by much of the press for producing these cookie cutter wines. And the press drives the market, not the other way around. Let me repeat that statement: THE PRESS DRIVES THE MARKET. As anyone who works for a wholesaler or especially a retail shop will attest, many customers want wines with points. So I will happily read, and tell others to read, blogs from people like Alice Feiring, Manuel Camblor and Lyle Fass, to name a few, because their viewpoint is so staunchly independent of, and radically different from, most of the wine media. Yes their opinions are strong, and they may come across as whiney, overly geeky and didactic at times, but I can live with that. As long as I'm enjoying myself and learning something, I'll keep on reading.
So, I say, long live the wine whining! Now if only I read French, so that I could check out that new Noisettier book....
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: <a href="http://www.wineblogger.info ">www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
By the way you forgot to mention this blog, or Vinography, Dr.Vino, and many more. See: www.wineblogger.info for more. In the end the more opinions we have the better, but to say that whining is going to solve something I think fails to see the power of positive thought...
Cheers, BTW I'm adding you to the list....ryan
The press certainly does drive sales by talking about wine, but presently, many more boxes of wine are sold in the US market if they are pointed either by Parker or the Wine Spectator. The ratio of customers who approach me asking for that Spanish wine which was 94 pts Parker and $30, or in the Spectator Top 100, versus customers who were reading about an exciting newly popular region in Spain and would like to try one of their wines, is still about 5-1.
Didn't mean to exclude your blog in my comment. Will add you to my links, and thanks for adding me as well!
Best,
Joe
The press certainly does drive sales by talking about wine, but presently, many more boxes of wine are sold in the US market if they are pointed either by Parker or the Wine Spectator. The ratio of customers who approach me asking for that Spanish wine which was 94 pts Parker and $30, or in the Spectator Top 100, versus customers who were reading about an exciting newly popular region in Spain and would like to try one of their wines, is still about 5-1.
Didn't mean to exclude your blog in my comment. Will add you to my links, and thanks for adding me as well!
Best,
Joe