I am not a wine connoisseur, or a wine snob, though I feel I’m developing into somewhat of a knowledgeable person about wine and it’s by products. I’ve watched the harvesting practices and walked through the deep wine cellars of centuries ago in Bordeaux and noted the practices of the larger vineyards and those that of smaller cellars. I feel privileged to have traveled the wine regions, cellars’ and chateau’s in France, Italy, California, Ontario, and British Columbia, and hopefully many more.
I will admit that all palates are not created equal. If we all like the same wine, wouldn’t that be easy! The “wine pairings” in France are not the same as in California or Canada, but they were equally delicious and give one a new idea and perspective to use in one’s own home. Each used local products and customs to enhance the “pairing”, which in turn worked out quite well.
It is a shame though that many of the top estate wines from the world’s chateau’s don’t make it outside the country of origin, except by mail and even then in some countries there are restrictions. In that case you just have to travel a bit to the various countries to really taste the absolute finest of grape. I have come across the odd bottle of wine in restaurants from wineries that don’t export their wine and when asked “where can I purchase this wine” am told the restaurant imports it on their own.
So whether you are sitting on Fisherman’s wharf in San Francisco having a glass of Napa Valley’s finest or on the Champs Elysees in Paris enjoying a glass from Bordeaux, maybe in Niagara wine country remembering a memorable wine tasting, but then British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley was a truly wonderful experience (even looked into vineyards for sale) , or raising your glass after a Valpolicella wine tour around Verona, Italy, remember, to taste and experience the best that country has to offer. You really won’t regret it.!
Of course, one must consider the weather, as if a Shiraz or Chardonnay is absolutely fabulous one year the vineyard may not be as lucky the next. So luckily for us, with so many wine regions opening up in regions all over the world, which are not usually noted for wine production, we are able to purchase wines from all over the world. We are now able to enjoy the Elixir of the best wine on the vine!
I have even ventured into making some of the high end lines of “Estate” wine from concentrate at a “make your own shop”, and was very pleasantly surprised……
I would like to share with you what I’ve observed and learned, whether you agree or not or just to give you food for thought, or in this case a “taste”. Cheers! I raise my glass to you and I hope you enjoy our wine site.
Filed under Wine by admin
