Re 2010 Bordeaux pricing

Some recent experiences have shown me that the Bordelaise are getting better at their game in producing drinkable, decent quality, affordable and attractively-styled red wine.

They've also (finally!) become more aggressive at marketing themselves to primarily a younger market in the US, through associations/websites like Planet Bordeaux and Sweet Bordeaux (as well as trying to renovate their image from stuffy/stodgy amidst the younger wine drinkers in the EU, I might add).

Don't know if this has successfully upped the distribution and sales in the US as yet---it will take more than a little effort to revive the almost-dead market for non-classed Bordeaux, and the average public sure as hell isn't buying the overpriced classed growths for regular drinking anymore.

However, if the Bordelaise continue on their present course---again, based on the web marketing initiatives I've seen, along with some rather good moderate priced Bordeaux Superieur samples I've been happily consuming---there should be good things in the future. The wines dance carefully along the razor edge of being too "new world gloppy," while being sufficiently interesting and different from the sometimes-repellent vinegar, tannin and old wood of EU grocery store Bordeaux (and who, pray tell, hasn't been victim of that when traveling in France?). But there's now Bordeaux that I can both afford and care to drink, and for that I'm grateful.

Meanwhile, of course, the irresistible lure of the Asian market continues without showing any signs of abating---and that lure might attract even more attention and money away from the US, along the time honored line of "fishing where the fish are."

Balance, Alex, balance. Since when did you assume the name of Chauvin?

I just now finished typing in praise of Bordeaux, and you come out with an unabashed

At least as high a percentage!!!!!!
And even if your scepticism were well-founded, the sheer choice of finding a good buy is astronomical.

Two things:

1. At least as high a percentage!!!!!! No, not necessarily a given.

2. "...the sheer choice of finding a good buy is astronomical." Um, by your own logic, Alex, the sheer choice of finding, quite literally, thousands of bad choices is even more astronomical. Especially when each and every one of those choices cost money. A better investment than the lottery, yes; but still a major expenditure of money to find a good wine, when other regions might more readily supply the faithful tried and true.

Ask yourself this: if you had a limited amount of money to spend where do you think you would be more likely to get greater value for money spent, the Bordeaux or the Rhone? Where do you think the statistics would be more favorable to you?

[David M. Bueker]

David,

>>>11,000 Chateaux? What percentage make wine that is actually worth buying versus quality wines from other regions?

At least as high a percentage!!!!!!
And even if your scepticism were well-founded, the sheer choice of finding a good buy is astronomical.

Alex R.

Perhaps you misunderstood my question...are 5% making wines that are competitive with good offerings from other regions? 10%? 20%?

Let's face it, probably only 10% of the wine in the world is truly interesting.

My scepticism is not actually scepticism, but rather just a continuation of a complete lack of availability of these mythical wines you espouse.

However, if the Bordelaise continue on their present course---again, based on the web marketing initiatives I've seen, along with some rather good moderate priced Bordeaux Superieur samples I've been happily consuming---there should be good things in the future. The wines dance carefully along the razor edge of being too "new world gloppy," while being sufficiently interesting and different from the sometimes-repellent vinegar, tannin and old wood of EU grocery store Bordeaux (and who, pray tell, hasn't been victim of that when traveling in France?). But there's now Bordeaux that I can both afford and care to drink, and for that I'm grateful."

Absolutely hit the nail on the head, Hoke. I couldn't care less about those "Golden Calf" wines that some folks seek. A nice bottle that, pairs well with food that, enhances the level of camaraderie, is all that I seek.

I don't drink much Bordeaux. I don't even think much about the region, but I guess we all choose our focus. So I've been following the intensity of this thread with detached interest.

But, tonight I found myself drinking a delicious 'little' Bordeaux. 2009 Chateau du Piras Bordeaux Blanc. And it made me think of this thread. Nothing special, and I'm not even sure I would buy it given my strict standards. But it was a very solid wine that could probably compete with all sorts of international competitors in the $10 range. It was even downright fun with a chanterelle quiche and salad. Not sure if it's sold in the US.

Rahsaan,

Thanks for your input.

Loire wines are a bit of an underdog too, especially the reds. And yet there are many very good, inexpensive wines there.

It's all a question of being open-minded really!

Alex R.

Rahsaan,

Thanks for your input.

Loire wines are a bit of an underdog too, especially the reds. And yet there are many very good, inexpensive wines there.

It's all a question of being open-minded really!

Alex R.

I'm much more confident in buying Loire reds than most Bordeaux in a similar price range. We have ready availability here of Loire growers like Chevallier, Germain, Alliet, Baudry, Joguet, Amirault, Caslot, Blot, etc., all of whose reds and whites, where applicable, are reliable buys, as well as whites from Foreau, Huet, Chidaine, Claude Papin, Morgat, etc. I can't make a similar list of Bordeaux petits châteaux on the same level; not because they don't exist but because I don't know them. I think that a lot of Belgian wine-lovers are in a similar position.

[David M. Bueker]

Rahsaan,

Thanks for your input.

Loire wines are a bit of an underdog too, especially the reds. And yet there are many very good, inexpensive wines there.

It's all a question of being open-minded really!

Alex R.

I'm much more confident in buying Loire reds than most Bordeaux in a similar price range. We have ready availability here of Loire growers like Chevallier, Germain, Alliet, Baudry, Joguet, Amirault, Caslot, Blot, etc., all of whose reds and whites, where applicable, are reliable buys, as well as whites from Foreau, Huet, Chidaine, Claude Papin, Morgat, etc. I can't make a similar list of Bordeaux petits châteaux on the same level; not because they don't exist but because I don't know them. I think that a lot of Belgian wine-lovers are in a similar position.

Now here we come to my point about only a very small percentage of wines from anywhere being truly worth buying on faith: it's a short list of Loire estates that people are truly ready to buy without some detailed information/tasting opportunities that they are not going to get, short of flying over and knockign on cellar doors. It's the same for petits chateaux in Bordeaux. It's the same for small wineries in Amador County, CA. It's the same for New Zealand.

There's probably north of 200 Bordeaux wines that can be assumed to be of reliably high quality on reputation alone. The Bordelaise need to figure out a way to use that to their advantage in promoting the other 10,800 wines (or at least the 1500 worth drinking), rather than put the responsibility on the critics or the consumers.