updated in 2008

Wine reviews

"It is only an auctioneer who can equally    
and impartially admire all schools of art."

Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist, 1891

 

Let me present wines that are special: uncommon and diverse.

 

International style

Many wines taste the same - whether they are made in California, Bordeaux, Spain or Australia. This "international style" shows high alcohol and big density. It gets good ratings by tasting impressive (mouth impact, "fruit bomb"). This style sometimes uses new oak and always uses much technology.

This easy drinking can prove convenient or tiring over time — depending on your tastes. Big style has become mainstream because it is comfortable on the drinker. It has even been pushed to being a standard because it serves the interests of part of the wine business (notably the press).

Here are related reviews:
 

 

Alternate wine tastes

My drinking pleasure dances along with alive or vibrant wines:

• purity of winemaking (no added sugar, no added yeast, low sulfur, etc.);
• balance: healthy maturity of grapes, freshness.

These two qualities imply that the wines good well with drinking — as opposed to wines good at wine tasting competitions. They often show in wines typical of their areas of origin or true to the personalities of the growers. Are irrelevant: elitism or tradition.

The wines in the magazines or on most shelves are not the most interesting. In complement recommended wines can be hard to find. This is why the tasting pages also show addresses of wine stores.

The bottle recommendations always use the same above criteria. Tasting the recommended wines will broaden your wine appreciation and it will strengthen your own taste.

 

French wine reviews

Here are my selections of French wines, backed by tasting notes: