Can we add a category for 'South America'?

[zenda2]

Folks,
I've had to decide a couple of times just where to post notes about wines from Chile or Argentina. Is it possible to add a category for S. America, or should we just keep using 'Spain' or 'Wines Without A Category?'

[Botafogo]

Zenda, the odd Argentinian Bonarda/Tannat blend aside, there are VERY few wines from Sout America that are not just knockoffs of traditional French or Californian styles and almost ALL are from the big five varietals so I would just post under the varietal headings. I have yet to taste a Chilean wine that could not have been made in California or Australia so I don't think they have EARNED a "terroir" or style based category unlike New Zealand or South Africa which have.

Roberto

[zenda2]

In fact, it is one of those weird but tasty and cheap Argentina Malbec blends.

Not a biggie, just thought there were others out there, like me, who buy our wine in wine stores that are arranged by 'region'. If you're in the Chile/Argentina section, and you spot a wine label you've seen one of us talking about...but hey, that's me.

[This message has been edited by zenda2 (edited 12-07-2001).]

[Botafogo]

Zenda, does your store have all the Sauvingon blancs in one area or are there different sections for every one of the fifteen or so countries and states that make good ones? My findings when I was in the restaurant biz were that, if you create a "ghetto" for the New Zealand SB way at the back of the list, no one will find it.

As to the "Chile / Argentina" section, I would find THAT objectionable as the Argentinans DO have some interesting stuff and it is ALL very different than the commoditized Cab / Merlot / Chards that come out of Chile. The Andes might as well be the Pacific Ocean in terms of completely different winemaking.

We do a little of both here: All the Tuscan stuff (except the pure Cabs or Syrahs) are in one place BUT mixed in with them are Sangioveses from Emilia Romagna, Marche and, occasionally, California.

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 12-07-2001).]

[Innkeeper]

We could change the Oz, Kiwi, SA thread to say Southern Hemisphere Wines.

[winoweenie]

Then we'd all have to take a refresher course in Geography. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]