Whether for technical, taste related, or financial reasons (or a combo of all those) what do you currently much prefer to drink and/or consider is superior, French wines or Californian wines and please say why.
California, because the French wines I've tried have a sort of spicy flavor that I don't like. I don't know whether this is due to the grapes, barrel oak, or what. California wines have a cleaner flavor. I suppose some people must like the French flavor, otherwise they wouldn't make it that way.
Australian reds, california whites. French wines seem thin to me, either too dry and flimsy bodied or in the case of wines like Vouvray and other desert wines too syrupy. Australian reds (shiraz is my favorite table wine but I like most of them) seem better balanced. I also like one Hungarian wine called Egri Bikaver (Bull's Blood of Eger) that is a dry, full-bodied, blood red wine. The most suckass wines of all time are German wines, for me. The very best I have had were Spatlese or Auschlese, way too sweet. I have not had a wide variety of German wines. I do like Gewurtztraminer as a desert wine, it is at least spicy enough to offset the inherent sweetness.
If I only had a choice between the two, I'd choose California wines over French wines hands down. I have yet to meet a French wine I like. California wines are much, much more pleasant.
That being said, I also like Texas and Australian wines better than French and equally to California.
IMHO Battery Acid tastes better than French wines. Especially their Brut Champagnes... The very worst Champagne I ever had was a French Brut that cost $150.00 per bottle. The person that brought it to the New Years party bragged about it's price. He was a wine purchaser for some store and he'd gotten this one at a bargain price. It was one of the most vile things that has ever passed my lips!
California wines. I like them better, though I wouldn't say I *much* prefer them, as your poll asks.
I also like German and Italian wines better than French wines. French red wines often seem "skunky" to me, while French white wines usually seem sour and watery. French dessert wines are acceptable, though.
Oregon is also making some very nice wines, as are New Zealand and Australia. Why didn't you ask about them?
I always choose Italian wine. I am never disappointed. I don't know how well it travels because no one seems to have commented on it, but do try some if you get the chance.
I agree with all of what you just said, apart from the Hungarian, which I've never tasted. German wines always seem to have a flowery taste, and I've never tried a nice French wine, although I haven't tried the more expensive ones. My favorite is a South African Shiraz or Merlot though. They do some great rich full bodied fruity wines that seem to just pip the Australian wines. (Waving to Cathy and ducking from Peter L!)
I agree. I am no wine expert, but when I am deciding which wine to buy, its usually based on factors other than the wine's origin. When I dine at a restaurant with friends though, we typically gravitate toward one of the Australian reds because of the value and the flavor.
I like Australian reds. I'd say my favorite would be Rosemount Estate Merlot. It's also a great value. That said I've had wines from many other places that I've also enjoyed. I've had wine from Missouri and Michigan that were both very good.
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