One would think that after tasting 17 wines, selections from the Loire Valley and the Alsace region of France, that Vinogirl would have been feeling no pain. On the contrary. After a couple of hours of listening to my fellow classmates bemoan the fact that the French wines we were tasting were 'thin,' 'under-ripe,' 'acidic' and ultimately 'not fruity enough', I was feeling a little battered in the hearing department. Let me translate for the reader: what they were really saying was that the wines weren't Californian. And there in lies a bit of a problem when one is taking a Wines of the World class.
My goodness. I can't imagine what they'll say when the class ventures further north into Germany.
Next...
8 comments:
.........or even England! That'll show 'em what "lean" is all about! ;-) Seriously, though, it seems a shame that they enrol for a "wines of the world" course and then moan about the wines not being as sweet or rich as the stuff from their own back yard.
I'm currently drinking a wine (a Chardonnay from the Jura) which is probably the complete antithesis to what they are after, but is really "doing it" for me. But if they are serious, then they'll learn. It just may take a while...... :-)
Leon: Thank you for taking the time to write a rather long comment.
You nailed it! Yes, Napa is blessed with some of the most fabulous growing conditions on the planet, but there is more to the world of wine than just one wine region. There are wines to be had, enjoyed and appreciated by everyone from every corner of the globe - if only they would just take the time to explore.
Vinogirl, newbie that I am, well, since I can't be in your class, I'll just have to experiment at home.
We seem to get "set" in our ways and our world stays small.
Thanks for reminding me that the exploration is so much a part of loving wine!
I must confess though, I don't care where the Riesling is from, if the TDN goes over a threshold, I can't drink it.
While it's a shame that wine consumers become set in their tastes, it is not confined to the New World.
Even in Europe wine drinkers within each country/region often have a hard time understanding wines that they are not used to consuming.
It is rather stupid, however, to sign up for a class and then open your mouth but keep your mind closed.
Wow, really! On the other hand I am overly critical of Californian wines and too loyal to the Kiwi ones.
NHW: It would be fun if you could be in the class with me. You strike me as someone who is genuinely interested in trying wines from all over the place.
As for your TDN, in the 100% Reisling from Helfrich (3-1 on my class list) the diesel component came across as a more of a pleasant beeswax...I think you would have found it acceptable.
Tommaso: Yes, the French, for example, would spit on the grave of all wines from California...but since when did you think I'd sit up and take notice of anything a French person had to say? My fellow students should be more open-minded.
ALW: I love SB from Kiwi-land. Actually, I'm an equal opportunity Sauvignon blanc drinker. My favourite in class the other night? The Francis Blanchet Pouilly Fume - fantastic - but I was the only one who thought so :)
VG,
A Brit not listening to a Frog! Impossible, n'est pas?
Gee, I haven't tasted a Pouilly Fume in quite some time. I need to get my hands on one soon...but I'll never let go of Quincy.
Tomasso: How esoteric of you.
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