Archive for the ‘Terroir’ Category

May 25, 2005

Top Five Under Appreciated Wine Regions

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…

May 23, 2005

Pinot Noir’s New Paradise

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…

Apr 2, 2005

Bordeaux Wines Heating Up

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…

Mar 22, 2005

Runner Up For Stupidest Wine Statement of the Year

"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…