what are the new wine trends?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Annie, and welcome to the Wine Board. Regions tend to be more hot than individual wines.

New Zealand, a.k.a. Kiwiland, is red hot. Their sauvignon blanc has been hot for so long that it is becomming old hat. However, their pinot noir is afire. For a value, for at least a little while, look for Sherwood Estate (around $13).

While Long Island is getting ho hum, the Finger Lakes of New York are sizzling. While L.I. concentrated on merlot while people were getting sick of it, instead of cabernet franc which they also did very well, the F.L.s not only perfected the only European like riesling made in America, but also have been coming along strong with cabernet franc.

Despite the dissent of one of our board members, Washington State is red hot with syrah. Particularly that from the Walla Walla and Red Mountain regions.

Central and Southern Italy are red hot, with new discoveries of age old wines being made every week. Check out the Italian Thread on this board for details.

Argentina is also red hot. Look for malbec, blends of malbec with other grapes, and great examples of more well know grapes such as cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo (the Rioja grape), and syrah. Also, lesser known grapes such as bonarda, carmenero, and trumpeter (actually merlot).

Hope this gives you something to chew on and/or drink.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 02-19-2003).]