Top wines of the(Old) world

http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-drink/top-wines-of-the-world-story.html

This Forbes world traveler article interviewed for top American sommeliers and developed a list of 8 of the top wines in the world. I find it interesting that they all chose examples from the old world, Spain(1), Italy(1), France(3) and Germany(1). Two surprises, for me anyway, a wine from Greece and a Madeira rounded out the list. These are not my everyday fare. If you've tasted the wine in the article let me know. Cheers.

Soil, Weather, Terroir and wine

If you are at all technically minded, this is the interview for you.

-- from the graperadio site: "Ted Burns interviews David Schildknecht, Robert White and Greg Jones about the influences of soil and weather on wine grapes. David Schildknecht is a well-respected wine critic and writer for the Wine Advocate and has a special interest in the topic of terroir. Robert White is author of the book, Soils for Fine Wine. Greg Jones is a climatologist and vineyard site selection consultant."

Here's the link to the interview http://graperadio.com/podcast/GR-ENG-USA-2008-04-07.mp3

Irrigation practices, chemical makeup of the soil and the influences of weather are all fair game. All the interviewees are notably new world experts and it may have added more balance to the discussion to include European experts in the mixed. I was particularly interested in the comments regarding using irrigation practices to mimic vine stress that occurs in Bordeaux, or the Loire naturally.

Labeling Wars

What's in a name? A recent article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/04/07/MN8IV76JA.DTL
detailed the efforts of Chateau Montelana to label their wine with a specific AVA. The question is, is this purely a marketing exercise or is there really something special about the area.

A sense of place is at the heart of terroir. I applaud wine label reform when it can be backed up in the glass. Would you agree that Chateau Montelena exemplifies the "Calistoga" terroir? Is there a Calistoga terroir that is identifiable in the glass? While Chateau Montelana is undeniably great wine, even their own promotional material focuses on varietal character rather than the expression of the place it is grown.

Robin Garr vs Robert Parker

I found an article that did my heart good. Robin Garr took Mr. Parker to task for his comments on California's Edmund St. John winery offerings. These wines are in Robin's opinion, terroir-driven and at their best with food (I haven't yet found them in BC-- but I'm looking. If you've seen them here, please let me know).

Robin not so much tried to convince Mr. Parker of the attractions of terroir but more chastised for the mean spirited manner in which Mr. Parker ridiculed the wines. Bravo! I'm sure you agree that at the end of the day there is room for both points of view.

Here's the article, you can decide for yourself.

http://www.wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor2/tswa20071207.php

What is Terroir?

You can find dozens of definitions of terroir but here's one I like:

Having a taste of the earth or soil. Gout de terroir describes the characteristic aromas and flavors of wine from grapes grown in a particular vineyard or region, incorporating the contributions of both soil and climate to the wine's unique style.
www.st-kathryn-cellars.com/glossary.htm

Like a slap to the head...

More like a shovelful of gravel.

I first understood terroir while on vacation in where else .. France, Chablis to be precise. It was at a cooperative, La Chablisiene. I tasted through about a dozen wines and it hit me, this was terroir--Les Clos, Blanchot and Montée de Tonnerre. Not only the region but the individual vineyards were clear to me. Just like when learning varietals Gewürztraminer was my "beginner" wine, Chablis was where I first understood the meaning of terroir. It's unmistakable wet stone, gravel character was something I could finally put my head around.

I've never looked back. I'm still a unrepentant "terroirist". Cheers.