Click to be added or removed.Wine news ping.
Posted on 10/07/2005 3:14:00 PM PDT by Tamar1973
VAUVERT, France Olivier Gibelin tilts a glass of deep red wine, sniffs and sips at a table set between tall concrete vats of fermenting grape juice in his rustic stone winery here. The air is heavy with an odor of yeast.
"Do you want to try what will be going into your tank?" he asks ruefully, pouring a visitor a glass. "If my grandfather could taste what I'm turning into alcohol, he'd turn over in his grave."
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Because France exports gasoline and one of its biggest markets is the United States, by sometime next year, some Americans may be pumping their cars full of gas that includes a bit of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
...
The downturn in demand left the Beaujolais region swimming in so much wine in 2002 that it turned 10 million liters into vinegar.
Gibelin's exports to the United States are a tenth of what they were a few years ago, thanks to a strong euro and, to some extent, he says, to the American boycott of French products after France refused to support the invasion of Iraq. Gibelin's biggest market was in Texas.
Now will the French tell their elected officials to play nice with us?!
Hey, they've finally found a use for Merlot!
I won't comment on tobacco if you don't comment on wine. Arbitrary criticisim of Merlot has become trendy by the movie-going set, but it really makes people sound ignorant.
I love a good Merlot.
If they can get it below $3 per gallon, . . .
So they're trying to pawn off wine they didn't store properly to us. Don't want their wine or their gas.
Let me know if you find one. I can't!
We have the movie "Sideways" to thank for that, I suppose.
I love a good Merlot.
Me, too. A good California Merlot. (Although the Aussies make pretty good stuff, too.)
Glad to hear it. Most of the Merlot I've tried makes me think of paint thinner. I'll stay with Cabernet. And I've never seen "Sideways"...
Click to be added or removed.Wine news ping.
Let me know if you find one. I can't!
If you are looking to keep it reasonable, say under $15, try these:
Robert Mondavi Private Selection, 2003
Windmill Estates, 2003
Woodbridge 2001, Select Vineyard Series
Napa Ridge and Turning Leaf ALWAYS bottle enjoyable Merlots as well.
Chateau Petrus?
Any Cabernet recommendations?
In spite of the claim of the article quality French wine is not being made into fuel, be assured.
If it is sitting on shelves it is because 1) it is priced too high 2) and many are still boycotting French wines.
Thanks, I'll give 'em a try and let you know how it turns out (assuming I can find them).
Thanks for the ping! I been watching the boards (harvest season and all that) it just seems petty with all the other stuff going on these days...
Just glad we don't have an election cycle on top of it.
Oh... to return the favor... if you see a cabernet sauvignon from South Africa called Excelsior, buy every bottle you can find of it - should be about $12 per, it has an amazing, full taste for the 2003-2004 years that I don't recall finding in any other red wine so young. I bought a bottle of it, and went back the next week to get more - someone had walked in the day before and bought out the entire stock.
Merlot tastes nice but for some weird reason it makes me feel sick as a dog in the morning. And no, it is not the amount consumed, thank you very much. I'm fine with Cabernet but I can't even handle a Cabernet/Merlot mix.
It's probably best to stay away from the brands with the metal screw-on tops, and never drink any wine to wash down pork rinds or bean dip.
Might I suggest a fine sharp Vermont cheddar and a selection from post #11?
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