Myths and misconceptions
This issue tackles the various myths and misconceptions swilling around the wine drinkers of the world. We are not sure where they came from or how they were invented. Could have been ‘Chinese whispers’ or some creative thinking after a few too many perhaps. Here are some common myths and misconceptions:
Myth:
You should always take the top off a red wine to let it breathe before consuming.
Reality:
With 750mls of wine and about 1cm of air between the top of the wine fill and the top of the bottle, the poor wine does not have a chance to breathe. If you are insistent on allowing the wine to breathe, pour it in the glass or decant it. Decanting simply aerates the wine by passing it from one vessel to another. Decanting can also remove the crust or sediment from a wine if done carefully.
Myth:
Wines bottled under cork are of superior quality to those bottled under screw cap.
Reality:
The cork industry love this myth but the reality is screw cap can be a superior closure and although it does not have the most romantic appeal, screw caps are now used for many super premium wines known to be the best in their class. (Sept. issue Life of Wine http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2961 ).
Myth:
Sediment in red wine is bad and the wine should be sent back to the supplier as faulty.
Reality:
The appearance of sediment in red wine is a positive sign. Depending on various factors, it means the wine has not been filtered within an inch of its life. The sediment is part of a crust formed from solids dropping out in solution over time. It is a part of the winemaking process and adds character and texture. Careful decanting can remove sediment from the wine.
Myth:
Vintage Champagne is better than non vintage Champagne.
Reality:
Vintage Champagne can be wonderfully elegant and flavoursome. Being made from one single vintage, they take on the characters of that vintage. Non-vintage Champagne is correctly known as multi-vintage Champagne. It is a blend of vintages from up to 10 years which lends complexity to the wine. Multi-vintage Champagne is usually made to a particular blending recipe giving the wine its distinctive House style. If you like drinking Bollinger for example, you probably like it because of its distinctive rich, bold House style.
Myth:
The French make the best wine in the world.
Reality:
I love some French wines from certain regions but the French are as famous for their vin ordinaire as any country. Although the French have no peer in some specific classified appellations, other parts of the wine world have well and truly shown the way in reasonably priced non-classified wines.
Myth:
The higher the price, the better the wine.
Reality:
In essence, this should be true. We should be able to purchase a bottle of wine for 500 baht and have certain expectations. Wine comes from three related industries – viticulture, wine making and sales and marketing (included in this packaging). The cost of fruit and the level of expertise in wine making should be directly related to the cost of wine but once the sales and marketing teams stick their fingers in the vat, lofty ideas can creep in sending the wine’s price skyrocketing. Taxation is another issue affecting wine prices. (July 2010 issue Life of Wine http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2911 ).
Cheers,
Jon Hyams
Best Buys – February 2011
Exceptional quality wines under 1500 baht
Abbazia di Novacella Kerner 2009, Alto Adige ITALY
Lovely minerality and acidity with quince and mandarin yield to more generous passionfruit flavours with air. Sushi/sashimi.
1,240 baht CityWine wine@city-wine.com
Zonin Valpolicella Superiore ‘Ripasso’ 2008, Veneto ITALY
Raisins, prunes and chocolate nuances combine luxuriously with its velvety texture. Moorish. Drink now to 2015 with richer foods
1,090 baht CityWine wine@city-wine.com
Parker Estate ‘Favourite Son’ Shiraz 2006, Coonawarra AUSTRALIA
Dense and brooding with black pepper spice and dark berries. Some Savoury ‘tar’ characters creeping in with age. Drink now with tenderloin or gorgonzola cheese.
1,240 baht CityWine wine@city-wine.com
Feel free to email us your questions or comments to wine@city-wine.com.