In the evenings, I’ve been flipping through The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil in preparation for our trip to France. In particular, I’ve started on the Bordeaux section. I must say this book is packed with good information! Recently, we tasted several white wines from Bordeaux and really enjoyed those. The white grapes of Bordeaux include:
Muscadelle: Usually used for blending. Adds light floral character to the wine.
Sauvignon Blanc: A major grape with crisp and lively herbal freshness.
Sémillon: A major grape that’s dry and clean. It provides weight and depth to the wine.
Ugni Blanc: Another blending grape used in inexpensive wines.
“Dangers in the Shiraz Aisle: Midprice Bottles of the Popular Australian Varietal are Woefully Inconsistent”
The Australian wine industry may have hit hard times. Exports dropped more than 13% last year, and the country currently sits on a wine surplus. Two questions come to mind: First, why the slump? Secondly, are there any bargains for consumers? Looking at why Australia may be slumping can be traced back to a few factors. First of all, they might be a victim of their own success. The Aussies taught Americans that good wine can come from other places than the states and Europe. They introduced new wines at affordable prices. Now, other countries, especially in South America, are following this success thus causing a drop is Australian sales. Secondly, more emphasis was placed on the clever and attractive bottle labels than the wine. The quality of the wine began slipping especially in the midpriced popular bottles.
While, more expensive bottles of Shiraz exhibit more spice, blackberries and richness. The midpriced bottles offer inconsistency, making it difficult for the average consumer to stroll down the Shirazaisle and pickup a quality bottle. Consumers must search for good midpriced bottles of Shiraz or trust their wine merchant.
“Malbec Beckons – Heed the Call: Argentina’s Signature Red Deserves its Wild Popularity, Offering Zing and Boldness for Modest Prices”
One of the hottest wines on the scene right now is the Argentine Malbec. Consumers get a tasty, interesting wine with spicy, black pepper tastes, some blackberries, good acidity and crisp edges, when it’s done right. Plus, there are some real steals to find on the Malbec aisle. Great wines can be found for $10-$15! However, as popularity rises, will quality remain the same? This has been a problem for so many wines in the past. Suddenly, everyone wants to get in on the latest craze and plants vines in less than desirable locations, using shortcuts to produce the wine. Wine quality drops and so does consumer popularity. Here’s hoping Malbec producers continue making great wines.
Winery: Château Saint-Sulpice
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