American vs. french

[Thomas]

If Mr. Sanity could enter the fray a bit...

Thanks IK for recognizing and commenting on what I tried to do on our site. I believe there are definite differences in Old and New World styles, Unfortunately (for the Old World and for guys like me and Roberto) far too many Old Worlders are taking up New World thinking--it's for marketing to the U.S., which leads me to my next point.

Those in the U.S. who were weaned on Left Coast wines often have trouble accepting the Old World style, which I believe, like Summo, often offers more finesse and less up-front-in-your-face-fruit-wood-alcohol.

Having said all the above, I also believe that generalizing is a bad practice. I drink wine from every part of the globe. I like some, do not like some, find some reasonable but nothing to write about, find some deplorable. To me, that is the fun of wine--there is so much across the globe I shall never make it to the end before my end. The problem with most consumers is that they seek consistency and sameness (witness our marvelously over-marketed culture). I seek variety in wine, women (please don't tell my wife), song, seasons and opinions. Yet, in all my variety-seeking, I prefer finesse over bombardment.

As for plonk, when you drink wine daily you are bound to encounter plonk--make the best of it and move on. But if wine drinking is a once in a while thing, then go for the best--always.