Alcohol Percentage

[brappy]

Thanks everybody. Your points are well taken.

I'm not trying to be dismissive because I do find all of your info. to be valuable but....

ie: I've NOT found a South African wine that appeals to me. Or at least that I find to be a great wine. It would be easy for me to make the blanket statement:"South African wines suck!" I can't do that. I feel I've just not found a great wine in South Africa. So I read tasting notes from boards like this, read reviews from critics that I've alligned my palate with and just keep trying. In other words, I don't let "product of South Africa" keep me from buying or tasting a wine.

I only give this example to show that high alc% does not equate to the wine showing heat in the nose or palate. I agree some do, but many don't. I just hope some of the younger wine enthusiasts don't walk into a wine shop and peruse the wines searching only for lower alc% and because of this, miss out on some truly wonderful wines.

When I do taste "heated" wines, I automatically look at the alc% on the lable. Not all of these wines state they have high alcohol % (Which is another topic altogether). But what I do sense is that all of these wines are out of balance. Which in my opinion equates to sloppy wine making.

Dananne, you're exactly right. Palate differences are a fact. It is very possible I'm less sensitive to "heat". I still hope you don't miss something truly great.

Kcwhippet, I beg of you to post notes as it seems our taste in wine run along the same lines. I would and will value your experience and judgement of wines. And please don't missunderstand me, I love the old style wines; I just love the new style as well. (Central coast wines are exploding right now....I love it!)

Winoweenie, You may be right on this, I guess only time will tell. I've had some higher alc% wines that have aged beautifully, but that may be the exception not the rule.

Wondersofwine, The name of that wine might be enough to make someone pass on it.....just kidding. Your point about being food-friendly is spot on.

Foodie, I understood your original point and thanks for expanding it. I like your "camp of little intervention". I also like your camp of finesse and delicacy" but also like the "camp of bold and beautiful". I'ld like to hear what else you have to say as I feel this is a good "conversation", not "argument". But stop where you will; it's my loss.

brap