Shakeups in wine distribution, Oregon one-ups California, a New Jersey star reappears, consumers really do care about the environment, and some reminders of why we fall in love with wine.
Speaking of Cali pinot noirs and Oregon pinot noirs -- I've fallen in love with several pinot-based roses out of Burgundy and there are some increasinglyt popular pinot-based roses coming out of Willamette Valley now. I was once very much a Provence and Rhone Valley rose fan, but these pinots have me hooked. Dave, have you done any tastings of pinot-based roses and offered any suggestions in the past?
Dave, one thing about, particularly American, “red blend” wine labeling that irritates me is that there is rarely a disclosure of what varietals and percentages are involved. Rhône GSMs are a good example of the type of disclosure a consumer should see on a label saying “red blend”, at least in IMHO. Is there anything along those lines happening in the industry?
Unlike reputable producers in the “Old World” the large interests that manufacture US wine seem or base their business model on the Barnum/Bessimer/Hannum quote “a sucker is born every minute.” They focus on mass-producing undistinguished juice, doctoring it up to be consistent and gussying it up with showy packaging and labeling to look like crafted wine attract and keep “the rubes.”
So, no, the hopes for transparent labeling of wine is unlikely in the US. Especially today.
Hi Bill - I don't know of any concerted industry effort. Many wine lovers do want to know (if only for curiosity) what grapes are in a blend, but I suspect the industry may feel the majority of consumers don't care, and listing too much information on a label might seem nerdy and snobby.
Speaking of Cali pinot noirs and Oregon pinot noirs -- I've fallen in love with several pinot-based roses out of Burgundy and there are some increasinglyt popular pinot-based roses coming out of Willamette Valley now. I was once very much a Provence and Rhone Valley rose fan, but these pinots have me hooked. Dave, have you done any tastings of pinot-based roses and offered any suggestions in the past?
Dave, one thing about, particularly American, “red blend” wine labeling that irritates me is that there is rarely a disclosure of what varietals and percentages are involved. Rhône GSMs are a good example of the type of disclosure a consumer should see on a label saying “red blend”, at least in IMHO. Is there anything along those lines happening in the industry?
Unlike reputable producers in the “Old World” the large interests that manufacture US wine seem or base their business model on the Barnum/Bessimer/Hannum quote “a sucker is born every minute.” They focus on mass-producing undistinguished juice, doctoring it up to be consistent and gussying it up with showy packaging and labeling to look like crafted wine attract and keep “the rubes.”
So, no, the hopes for transparent labeling of wine is unlikely in the US. Especially today.
Hi Bill - I don't know of any concerted industry effort. Many wine lovers do want to know (if only for curiosity) what grapes are in a blend, but I suspect the industry may feel the majority of consumers don't care, and listing too much information on a label might seem nerdy and snobby.
Thanks Dave. OK, I’m a nerd. 🤓
But, grape varietals are ingredients, right? All food labels are required to list ingredients. So …..
Thanks for including my piece in your round-up, Dave. Appreciative and flattered. I forwarded the email to Conor Quilty - now that he is back. :)