Cotty wrote:
On 27/5/05, keithw, discombobulated, unleashed:
Well, fellow wine snobs, one should also recognize Australian wines!
The better Aussie wines fully equal the better California wines, and
that my friend is SAYING something!
I recognise Australian wines. The reds are worth laying down. And
avoiding. As for Caulifornian - I treat the words 'Gallo' and 'vinegar'
with the same disdain.
As decent as some Gallo wines presently are, they are not top quality
wines and are not intend to be. They're blended specifically for
unqualified success, and sameness of taste. Most all of Gallo wines are
blended to meet that sort of standard, and as a result are Non Vintage
wines.
Further, if you're remembering the Gallo wines of 10-15+ years ago,
those were a totally different wine than what they make today. Gallo
does make some real premium wines, but you'll pay for them...
I've had people stick up their noses at red California wines, and when
pressed for a reason, they mention sweet dinner wines like Mogen David,
or some such. Holy Mackerel!
They have their place, I guess, but not in my book!
A fine Merlot, a vintage Sterling Cab, a Meritage...all excellent, if
you stay with the Napa Valley wineries.
Not that there aren't other good wines, but if you need a starting
guide, choose a Napa winery. Very hard to go wrong...
In fact, between the California wines and the Aussie wines, I haven't
bought and pulled the cork on a French wine in years!
Keith, you've just confirmed what I've always suspected about you. Bloody
fly-boys!
Hee, hee.
I sure used to, late '80s and early '90s! A lot!
But not any more. No need. The French no longer hold top place in
quality vs. price. Haven't for some time...
You're just digging a deeper hole....
Perhaps, but...what I'm trying to say is, the quality of French wines is
so variable, and I'm not capable of choosing quality by looking at the
labels ~ style, maker or provenance... OR price, for that matter.
I've had expensive French wines that by my past experience I thought
should be excellent, yet were terrible!
Might have been how the wine was mis-treated during shipment, any number
of things.
But, if you experience a great wine one day, and choose the same thing
at your local wine shop, you expect a repeat of the experience, and it
bombs on you!
On the other hand, I can choose a $15-18 California wine that is superb.
Occasionally for even less than that. I've had some most excellent
$11-12 wines, just less frequently.
Today, you can find Aussie or N.Z. wines that equal that taste treat for
less than you can the comparable California wines! Go figure!
I have found it requires I spend more like $35 and up to get the same
quality in a similar French wine, in my humble opinion.
So, just on the economics alone, they're not in the running.
Understand, I'm not saying the French cannot make a good red, or a
competitive white... they can.
But not at a price. Not even!
Cobblers.
Grin! Okay. We disagree.
You know what to buy, and what you like, in French wines. I admittedly
don't. I bow to your knowledge...
and in case it needs it --------> ;-)
No, no...not at all. I understand your position entirely.
Cheers,
Cotty
Best, keith
