French wines are overrated

Small world, isn't it?

From what I saw in Adelaide, you do not have a great choice.

My favourite 2004 to date has been Sacred Hill Marlborough - it is excellent.

But, for your list (and guaranteed supply) either the Stoneleigh or Giesen would be very good choices.

Regards

On this there is no comparison. Italy produces a much greater 'wealth of styles', because of:

1) Italian rugged individualism 2) The large variety of grapes 3) The large variety of climates, soils, etc.

I have disliked the F_____ since long before it became fashionable to do so. What seemed obvious to me long ago has only recently become so blatant that no-one can ignore it any longer.

I do know my Italian wines fairly well, and I find it most distressing that more people don't bother to learn more about the rest of the wine world than California Chardonnay or Cabernet S.

I saw none from North America in your list. Any particular reason?

Vino

None imported to Austria. We contacted all importers, and that's what they sent.

M.

Fair enough. I apologise for the Iraq / Bill O'Reilly comments then if that is the case.

I still wonder why you hate the French so much. Do you hate anyone else?

Your knowledge far outstrips mine, not that thats hard. In fact I have never had an Italian wine that I can recall.

I find it rather ironic that given your rabid pro-Italian bent you would critisize others for doing just that with other wines.

You have a point Pantheras. I remember the ding-dong battles over aging of wine, and decanting etc. Both of which viewpoints I disagree with.

However I actually find an occaisonal post or two of his useful.

I just wish, like everyone else, he would not behave the way he does to upset the locals. I know if he is a troll that is what he sets out to do, but some of his posts are actually informative.

I don't want to overstep my status here (haha, lowest of the low), but best just to killfile him if ppl get upset by him. I personally often find trolls a source of great amusement and fun, and the wittier ones have me in stitches at times.

Its the spammers that kill a group. Wastelands of hundreds of viagra etc posts.

I have never said 'aging of wine is nonsense'. I said 'breathing of wine is nonsense'. I affirm that here again.

No. I don't 'hate' the F_____ at all. I despise them for their arrogance and Chauvinism. Remember, Chauvin was F_____.

The recent political situation is just icing on the cake. In this, they remain true to form. They could not hold Indochina when the going got tough. They caved. They're wimps.

What I find amusing is how lazy so many people are. It's easy just to go along with trends and buy what's popular or what is advertised. 'Opus One', for instance. Give me a break. Never had any. Never will. Haven't drunk a Cab since 1978. Don't plan to.

Try a Barbera from Giacomo Bologna, a Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Valentini, or a Patrigliano from Taurino and you'll understand what Italian wine is all about. These wines are as well-made as any in the world.

I know that it is tempting to respond to this TROLL that the U___ also wimped out of Indochina, but please, PLEASE, for the sake of our News clients,

S T O P F E E D I N G T H E T R O L L

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

Mat wrote in news:41a18bb3 snipped-for-privacy@news.iprimus.com.au:

Dear Mat, many of us *have* killfiled the troll, but you are including his posts in your replies.

ObWine - picked up a bottle of Fess Parker ATR Pinot Noir 00, anyone tried it recently? (I haven't decided yet on Thanksgiving dinner) de

Don't think I ever said that...read back over my posts. Nope I didn't. So don't go putting quotes around it brother...

So what was your point with your tasting list then if there were no Prossecos as you implied there were on your lead in? Oh I get it, basically to be a know-it-all prick and take the opportunity stick it to me I take it...

I have never beem denigrating about Italy other than to say that its white wines are mostly average at best and to imply that its sparklers are not at the level of Champagne's finest. It's red wines are clearly up there with the world's best. What exactly is denigrating about saying that?

This is a thread on if France's wines are overrated and I started out with a friendly post by saying no and here's why I thought they weren't overrated. I had no intention of getting into Italy whatsoever until you two turds showed up and started denigrating my words on the broadness of the French wine experience.

If you wanted to grind me on Italy start a thread on how "Italian Wines are Underrated" But you know what...I wouldn't participate, because I don't know that much about Italian wine because I haven't had the good fortune to spend a lot time in Italy. I freely admit that...I don't need it shoved in my face.

Also. I have posted here off and on for five years. Its because of guys like you and UC that I left and rarely ever visit here any more. I hadn't posted in almost two years and this is the kind of BS I get on first return...so screw you guys. I don't need it...

No offense as far as I am concerned.

I think so. I am no expert, but...

Hugh Johnson's Pocket book for 2005 says this is a good vintage but not yet ready for drinking. Looking at when other vintages have peaked, I'd guess it will need another 10 years or more to show at its best.

I don't like young Bordeaux either.

I guess the issue is whether the homeowner can store the wine cheaper than the winemaker. The maker would have to cover the cost of storage and the opportunity cost of the money tied up. Of course, I have storage costs also, and such opportunity costs apply, but considering the value of my home, my storage costs are probably less than those in the great vineyards of Bordeaux, and certainly less than in Napa Valley.

The market for the top of the line Bordeaux is, after all, an educated market. Pople who buy these are generally aware about the dumb phase for Bordeaux, and plan to hold for ten or more years.

Tom Schellberg