All red wines are not the same

by Dan Berger

Back in the 1970s, when I first began writing about wine, a co-worker at the Associated Press chided me: “All red wine tastes the same.”
I was amused by the line since I could usually tell the differences between the major red grapes. The task wasn’t particularly difficult back then since wines from different grapes had distinctive aromas and tastes.
Cabernet sauvignon was slightly herbal and had a nice dusty, earthy/cherry fruit, occasionally with a bit of tarragon, thyme or savory. And its aftertaste was a bit astringent. Tannin was the culprit, but it responded to aging, diminishing over time.
Merlot had more olive and tea-like characteristics, a lot softer tannin structure and less of the dry herb notes. Though it could be less complex, it had a more obvious level of fruit.
Zinfandel had a jam-y, plum-y aroma with hints of violets, strawberries, plums and even blueberries.
And syrah, for all intents and purposes, didn’t exist. Little of it was planted in California. (Its rise as a major variety has been spectacular. In 1991, California had just 141 acres of it. In 2010, that figure was more than 19,000 acres.)
Syrah’s popularity as a red wine grape seems to have coincided with California wine makers’ desire to make a wine with little if any of the distinctive varietal character of the past.
This began to happen in the 1990s as alcohol levels for most red wines rose in response to higher scores from some people who believed that the “best” wines were the biggest.
By the late 1990s, we were seeing red wine alcohols in the 14.5 percent to 16 percent range; previously most red wines were 12 percent to 13.5 percent, and most wine lovers had been fine with that.
But newer consumers, notably those who read scores as facts, believed that the best wines had loads of alcohol.
Higher alcohols are the result of far more sugar in the grapes at harvest than previously, indicating that the grapes were harvested later than in the past. And the later that red grapes are harvested, the less they show the distinctive varietal character for which we once lusted.
What syrah added to the varietal mix was its ability to, chameleon-like, take the character from where it was planted. And since most of the plantings of syrah were in warmer-to-hot climates, most of the wines were rather bland in aroma and character, lacking the distinctiveness that the variety shows when planted in cooler areas.
Over the last few years, many red wines began to show less varietal character. But those who rate wines by score seemed to be uninterested in varietal character as much as power and concentration.
In the mid-1990s, I began to notice a trend: It was increasingly more difficult to say which wine was made from which grape. Among the least distinctive were warm-climate Syrahs.
And it was then I recalled my friend’s remark about all red wines tasting the same.
Not all red wines, of course. But for the most part, any wine listed as having more than 14.5 percent alcohol has a sameness and a simplicity that can be rather boring.

Wine of the Week
2008 Greg Norman Cabernet-Merlot, Limestone Coast ($15) – There is a nice bit of complexity in the aroma here, with some of cabernet’s herbal character, some Merlot fruit, a softer entry from the latter grape, and a bit of cellar potential from the former. Occasionally seen discounted, a great value.
Dan Berger lives in Sonoma County, where he publishes “Vintage Experiences,” a weekly wine newsletter. Write to him at winenut@gmail.com.

http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/columnists/dan-berger/all-red-wines-are-not-the-same/article_e55ebb3c-068f-11e1-a523-001cc4c03286.html

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink. Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest. With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.

Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines. Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines

To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event. The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision. Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service. Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party. A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.

There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin. Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Things to do in Clark Pampanga and Angeles City: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. Many people already know that one of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com