TN: old Traminer, new Cline, Simi

"California-ish" has become a descriptor in my wine vocabulary as of late; regarding Sauvignon Blanc specifically, it seems like a lot of California producers make it just because they can and it fits in with the production and storage cycle. When I see offerings at a winery that offer a Sauvignon Blanc, the ubiquitous Chardonnay or two ... or three, a Merlot, maybe a Zinfandel or Syrah, and two Cabernets my expectations immediately lower. I just cant imagine that anyone is consistently producing that many varieties well enough, and my experience has shown that most of the places specializing in 2, 3 or 4 different wines tend to show a little better. The whole oak thing in Sauvignon Blanc is a rather unwelcome element to me. One of the best SB's that I have come across so far is from St. Clement that is recently done in 100% stainless. Though the CA SB prices are generally gentle, I too must say that I think I could do better in Loire or NZ.

lol... "tasting of bluefeet" :)

jason

Maybe. But then there's Ridge. :) Actually I agree with you, but like most generalities there are exceptions.

Not usually what I look for. But lots of the better Bdx whites are mostly SB and well-oaked, and some are pretty good.

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

They aren't able to consistently produce quality across the board. That does not mean that the varietals they are most proud of are the worse for it, though. It just means you must avoid the bad wines in favor of the good ones. I think we've all been to wineries that had a dozen terrible wines and one spectacular offering. The spectacular wine isn't worse because of the number of wines being made. The winery is just leveraging their name across other wines in order to make a profit and/or they are experimenting with other varietals.

Dimitri

Of course it does not mean that the other varietals are worse for it, neither is any spectacular wine that they may offer. Good wine is good wine, whether it be in a bunch of three or three hundred. California has a lot of wineries that just may be trying to increase profit on the leverage of their name. I don't dislike the individual wines for that reason alone, but it I do extend a preference (any my dollar for that matter) to regions of France for example that produce the same wine (though not necessarily the same style) year after year. If the day ever comes that Mouton, Margaux and Lafite start offering six different red and white varietal bottled wines I may throw in the towel in defeat. I appreciate the tradition, heritage, relative consistency, and specificity offered by producers and places that apply certain grapes within the reasonable confines of their optimal growing conditions. I truly support the experimentation of wineries but not the homogenization of such, especially if it extends world wide.

jason

Dale Williams wrote: : Betsy was making a Thai-style dish of clams and I pulled out the 1997 Jermann : Traminer Aromatico (Venezie). Yeah, I know you're thinking "you've got to be : kidding!". 6 year old Gewrz from Italy? This was $5 in a closeout bin (The : Clown in Portland ME). : Low expectations lead to a big surprise. Aromatic nose of spices and rose : petals, nice flavors of grapefruit, lychees,and gingerbread. Definite RS, but : not cloying -there's some acidity (not crisp but not bad for Gew.). Damn, I : would have paid $12.50 for this (though not the $25 it probably orignally sold : for). Aged far better than I would have thought. B/B+

Dale,

I've had a couple of Jermann's that I purchased on closeout as well, from the same 1997 or 98 vintage and was surprised that they drank so well. He's definately on my 'to buy' list of NE Italian producers, where I feel the overall quality level of producers is very high. Thai clams, huh? Sounds good. Did Betsy use some type of curry with this?

Be well,

Mark S

I appreciate tradition, heritage, and consistency but the rather rigid French guidelines may be denying us all some fine wines. I think a lot of French winemakers appreciate the freedom that California allows. The number of different wines a winery produces means almost nothing to me in terms of evaluating the wine.

Dimitri

Hi Mark:

I've loved Jermann's stuff (esp Tunina and Dreams) in past, but find it hard to get past (regular) prices.

No curry, more of a hot-pot style dish. Heat oil w/red pepper, garlic, scallions. Add water and shao xing (rice wine), boil. Add littleneck clams, til they open. Add basil and fish sauce, serve over soba. Yum.

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply