Here are the wines that have given my panel
the most bang for the buck so far this year.
White & Sparkling Wines
| 6th |
- |
Sparkling Asti
by Martini & Rossi, Italy, NV, $10 |
| 5th |
- |
Gewürztraminer
by Rosenblum, California, '97, $10 |
| 4th |
- |
Traminer-Riesling
Blend by Rosemount, Australia, '98, $7 |
| 3rd |
|
Chardonnay by
Coastal Cellars (Bargetto), Argentina, '97, $7 |
| 2nd |
- |
Sauvignon Blanc
by Amberhill, California, '97, $6 (pictured) |
| Winner |
- |
J. Riesling by
Wente, Central Coast, CA, '97, $6 |
Reds
| 12th |
- |
Rose (roh-zay)
from Syrah by Curtis, Santa Ynez, Valley, '97, $8.50 |
| 11th |
- |
Duas Quintas table
wine by Ramos-Pinto (Importer: MMD USA, Oakland), Portugal,
'95, $10 |
| 10th |
- |
Petite Sirah
by L.A. Cetto (C. Mitchell), Mexico, '96, $9 |
| 9th |
- |
Rioja Crianza
by Marques de Arienzo, Spain, (Importer: Allied Domecq),
'94, $10 |
| 8th |
- |
Pinot Noir by
Rosemount, Australia, '97, $10 |
| 7th |
- |
Grenache-Shiraz
Blend by Rosemount, Australia, '97, $8 |
| 6th |
- |
Zinfandel by Montevina,
Amador County, '96, $10 |
| 5th |
- |
Cabernet Sauvignon
by Monterey Vineyard, Monterey, 96, $7 |
| 4th |
- |
Port (dessert)
by Benjamin, Australia, (Importer: Mildara Blass),Non-Vintage,
$11 |
| 3rd |
- |
Malbec Oak Reserve
by Santa Julia, Argentina, '96, $10 (Winesellers) |
| 2nd |
- |
Merlot by Rivefort
de France, Languedoc, (Importer: Beringer), '96, $6 |
| Winner |
- |
Syrah by Delicato,
California, '97, $6 |
Discussion:
The Dark Cloud on the Horizon
In our field of over 80 entries, only one third was
imported. Hence, we might expect about
one third of our 18 Best Buys to be imported.
That is, about six wines. Instead, there were
ELEVEN!
About a year ago in Sacramento, 2,500 winery
types attended the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.
There was deep concern about wine from foreign
sources, particularly those brought in by California
vintners. "We're showing importers how to sell
into the United States." "We have worked hard
to build the status of California wines...we
have begun to seriously erode this differentiating
feature." "There is a real danger...that cheaper
producing regions of the world will win out."
Conclusion
"The imports are coming! The imports are coming!"
Note: To learn about the next Symposium, contact
Greg Belloni at (800)710-9333, fax (925)370-9811.
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