File under "Ass"...

[Thomas]

RAD--we AGREE! But (and there always is a but) I wouldn't say that producers are not concerned with quality. Quality is hard to measure without relativity; perhaps we do not like a particular style of wine, but that says nothing about its quality. I dislike over-extracted, over-oaked wines, but the winemakers who produce them might be doing them just right (for that style).

Just like any other business wineries chase the money. And since most Americans are in the dark about wine, the wineries have only to chase the money. What truly makes me angry are the gurus and producers who spend ink and air talking about educating the consumer and then do nothing more than lead the consumer toward one style of wine, at one magnificently high price point.