Archive for the ‘Terroir’ Category
Northern California winemaker is nearly always talked about in terms of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. That’s just the way its. Visitors to "wine country" head to either of these two areas and if they hear about other wine regions besides these, they’ve probably done their research. So, in the interest of helping with that research, I’d like to suggest… THE TOP FIVE MOST UNDER-APPRECIATED, GREAT WINE REGIONS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ANDERSON VALLEYMendocino County In my mind among the top…
Pinot Noir lovers are well aware of regions and appellations like Carneros, Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Anderson Valley, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia Highlands and Oregon. They are recognized as being the sources of America’s best Pinots. Yet, there is a move afoot to find recognition for a region that seems to be remarkably well suited for this grape that needs cool temperatures and loving producers. Marin County is squeezed between San Francisco to its south, Sonoma County to its…
Jonathon Nossiter, Director of Mondovino, responds to his critics. Turns out he finds me, accurately, to be one of them. (Good observation Mr. N.) Turns out he also finds me to be a member of the Witch Hunting Union.
William Lyons has an interesting and thought provoking article on the implications of not just drought on the character of French wine, but of climate change too. Using the hot 2003 vintage as a jumping off point, and looking at an unusually dry March, Lyons and his interviewees discuss Bordeaux that is bigger, softer, higher in alcohol…essentially, more New World in style. In one very interesting statistic, Lyons quotes a Greg Jones, a Southern Oregon University Researcher who is predicting…
"Many new world wines are very good but don’t have the depth and structure [of great Bordeaux] and never will have." Bill Baker, UK Wine Consultant Again from this Decanter Magazine Story Ten to one this guy sells mainly Bordeaux! What do you think? Nevertheless, my snide remarks here don’t address the central question: How should producers of Bordeaux and those who sell Bordeaux address this issue and the study at issue? How about like this: While it is true…