Rumblings on wine - Part 3.1415926535897932

[David M. Bueker]

Some random thoughts floating through my head on day 4581 of the pandemic.

1. It's more fun, and more interesting to find a $20-$25 bottle that over-delivers, than to finally snag an allocation of the hard-to-get $100 (or more) wine.

2. I am not sure how, but there seems to be even more crazy money going after wines that used to be $25-$50, and moving them into the $100+ realm. This makes thought #1 even more important.

3. Wineries are altering their strategies for the current vintage due to the lack of restaurant sales. Let's hope they can find a way to stay afloat, and also hope that growers don't get left behind. No fruit equals no wine. I sense an industry consolidation is coming very soon.

4. Drinking Champagne is still the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Add a bowl of popcorn, and it's NSFW!

5. Riesling Rediscovered - Bold, Bright & Dry is a serious tome on dry Riesling. It's too bad that it's so joyless. I am learning a lot, but not having any fun doing it.

6. Very soon I am going to do a blind tasting that matches up Dan Petroski's and David Ramey's editions of Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay. They take very different approaches to the wine. Both are delicious, and I think I find a kinship despite the different methods of elevage, but I want to pair them up to be sure.

7. I like Cabernet Sauvignon more than I used to. I still do not drink it very often, but when I do I enjoy it more. I blame Cathy Corison and Steve Matthiasson.

1. It's more fun, and more interesting to find a $20-$25 bottle that over-delivers, than to finally snag an allocation of the hard-to-get $100 (or more) wine.

This is where we have to break down different sub-types of wine geeks. I enjoy researching my purchases and learning about wine, but I've never enjoyed the hunt per se. And there is nothing about the collection in and of itself that satisfies me, beyond the pleasure it brings from drinking. So yes, it's always great to find wines where the price/enjoyment ratio is skewed towards the latter, but I would never call that an interesting process. Interesting differences!

2. I am not sure how, but there seems to be even more crazy money going after wines that used to be $25-$50, and moving them into the $100+ realm. This makes thought #1 even more important.

I saw some of your comments on Berserkers in the Rougeard thread. I wouldn't go as far as saying that people are wasting their money, that is for them to decide. But I was shocked to see how high the prices had gotten, with the basic Clos bottling well over $100!!! I stopped buying long before that, and would not even consider those prices now. But, that's partially because I don't love the wines. When I was a grad student in the early 2000s, it was educational to buy the Poyeux and Bourg for 20-30euros, especially because I could get the 88, 89, 90, 95, 96 and 97 for pretty much the same as new release. But all of that "education" taught me that I now prefer to spend elsewhere!

[David M. Bueker]

Try the 2012 Rougeard Clos, and you will understand why I think they are wasting money. When those wines are on they are definitely delicious, but Baudry is way more consistent, and (IMO) just as good for a fraction of the cost.

Interesting comments on the hunt/collections. Your perspective makes complete sense. I did not initially want to have a big wine cellar. Then I joined a tasting group, and experienced 20-40 year old bottles, some of rather humble origins, and it completely changed my view. Opening 15 year old kabinett that cost $12.99, and finding the gloriousness that is inside that bottle (most of the time) just thrills the heck out of me. The 2011 Donnhoff Estate Riesling the other day was the most enjoyable wine I have had in weeks.

Your perspective makes complete sense. I did not initially want to have a big wine cellar. Then I joined a tasting group, and experienced 20-40 year old bottles, some of rather humble origins, and it completely changed my view...

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a deep cellar with lots of aged options. I certainly envy your status on that front. Maybe it's not you, but I get the sense that some people love collecting for the sake of collecting. Amassing more wines than they could ever drink, more cars than they could ever drive, etc. That seems to be a different orientation. For me, it's more about options to actually drink!

David, agree completely on your items 1,2,3.

Another thought:

Despite challenges in the wine industry, the really attractive offers of wine at discounts seem to have dissipated. The last purchase I made to support a small vintner was in May. Not that I want to add wine, but there isn't even temptation. Your mileage may vary.

[David M. Bueker]

Your perspective makes complete sense. I did not initially want to have a big wine cellar. Then I joined a tasting group, and experienced 20-40 year old bottles, some of rather humble origins, and it completely changed my view...

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a deep cellar with lots of aged options. I certainly envy your status on that front. Maybe it's not you, but I get the sense that some people love collecting for the sake of collecting. Amassing more wines than they could ever drink, more cars than they could ever drive, etc. That seems to be a different orientation. For me, it's more about options to actually drink!

I did the math at one point, based on how many bottles get opened, and how much age I like to have on my wines. It turned into a very large number. I have since gone over that number, but not by a huge percentage.