Italian wines have their own character, one which I happen to appreciate. The closest thing to Italian reds, character-wise, is Australian, but it isn't the same and you can taste the difference. The Germans only produce one wine that is arguably incomparable to anything else, and that is Riesling. The only thing the French really have going for them is their Bordeaux reds, which are unique and often superb but not particularly great values. Forget Burgundy; the Pinots coming from Oregon are excellent and a much better value for the money. The Pacific Northwest is a rapidly rising star in the world of Pinot, and while some people are making equivalent bottles in France, nobody is making a better bottle.