Thinking caps on....March Wine Focus??

Someone thought we might want to think Gewurztraminer the other day?
We have not studied Australia of late, perhaps someone might have an angle on this idea?
Loire Valley, bound to create a load of interest eh.
2009 Beaujolais might be of interest too. Jean-Paul Brun would be right up there methinks!

I am always game for doing more Loire wines (particularly as I just took delivery of some old Druet Bourgueil ).

I would also not mind an exploration of Californian (or American, opening it up to the Pacific NW and New York) wines.

[David M. Bueker]

It's true that we have mostly shied away from the new world. Might be time to get out of Europe for a month or so.

The only problem with doing American wine is that our friends on other shores don't have access to much other than the conglamorant brands.

So how about Rhone Rangers or GSM?

It is perhaps time for a New World focus. Whenever we return to Europe, I would like to suggest Chablis. We also have focused on non-Tuscany wines in Italy, but haven't done a focus on Tuscany in a long time.

[David M. Bueker]

What if we did something like "New World Syrah" or "New World Rhone Varieties"? That would include a large swath of countries. It's certainly broader than I would personally prefer, but might not stifle the European contingent too much.

[Robin Garr]

"New World Rhone Varieties"

This?

What if we did something like "New World Syrah" or "New World Rhone Varieties"? That would include a large swath of countries. It's certainly broader than I would personally prefer, but might not stifle the European contingent too much.

Interested though I am, I will most likely have to sit that one out. The only New World Rhônes which are easily found here are Aussies like Penfolds and Chileans like Concha y Toro which don't tempt me at all. There is a New World specialist shop in Brussels but in a nightmare parking zone.

[David M. Bueker]

It's certainly nothing personal Tim. I just can't see permanently avoiding new world wines due to old world availability.

And Robin - New World Rhone Varieties works for me.

I think it will give us a chance to look around S Africa but not sure where I would start !
Perhaps someone could confirm that Canada is new World!!!
I would be interested in the white Rhone varietals too.

[David M. Bueker]

I think it will give us a chance to look around S Africa but not sure where I would start !
Perhaps someone could confirm that Canada is new World!!!
I would be interested in the white Rhone varietals too.

Bob,

Canada is definitely new world.

We are not planning to restrict the color of the Rhone grapes, but only if you call them varieties.

It's certainly nothing personal Tim. I just can't see permanently avoiding new world wines due to old world availability.

And Robin - New World Rhone Varieties works for me.

David, I would have thought that it would add interest to compare New World examples with the "real thing" and it would certainly encourage me more to go into town to look for an interesting NW example. But please don't be deterred if if there is a desire to focus out the Old World this month. It's no hardship for me to sit it out .

BTW, Bob, what is Canada if not New World ?

[David M. Bueker]

It's certainly nothing personal Tim. I just can't see permanently avoiding new world wines due to old world availability.

And Robin - New World Rhone Varieties works for me.

David, I would have thought that it would add interest to compare New World examples with the "real thing" and it would certainly encourage me more to go into town to look for an interesting NW example. But please don't be deterred if if there is a desire to focus out the Old World this month. It's no hardship for me to sit it out .

BTW, Bob, what is Canada if not New World ?

Tim,

Nobody said you couldn't do that. We've never been too restrictive on the themes. Heck look at what Salil and I drank for unclassified Bordeaux month.

It's certainly nothing personal Tim. I just can't see permanently avoiding new world wines due to old world availability.

And Robin - New World Rhone Varieties works for me.

David, I would have thought that it would add interest to compare New World examples with the "real thing" and it would certainly encourage me more to go into town to look for an interesting NW example. But please don't be deterred if if there is a desire to focus out the Old World this month. It's no hardship for me to sit it out .

BTW, Bob, what is Canada if not New World ?

Tim,

Nobody said you couldn't do that. We've never been too restrictive on the themes. Heck look at what Salil and I drank for unclassified Bordeaux month.

Indeed Salil in particular cheated copiously and I'm grateful for his TNs.

[Robin Garr]

Indeed Salil in particular cheated copiously and I'm grateful for his TNs.

So, Tim, we will count on you to cheat in similarly spectacular fashion. We would far rather have a few "sketchy" notes from you than miss you for a month!