White is (not?) as good as red
Several times over the years I have been asked a question that has made me confused. “Can you have a wine tasting of white wines in the same way as you have of red wines?” Behind the question lies the perception that white wines are not “worthy” or not interesting enough to be tasted in the same way as red wines. Which of course they are! The fact that many people prefer to drink red wines is a completely different thing. A question of personal preferences.
I recently read an article about this (in Meininger’s Wine Business International). The article was about a study that showed that red wines consistently score higher points than whites. The author had many different theories as to why and had also asked wine critics and winemakers of their opinions.
One view was that red wines are simply more complex and therefore get a higher score. A wine journalist said bluntly that red wine is better than white.
If you think like that, haven’t you missed something in your wine drinking activities? For example, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rueda, Rioja, Savennières and many more regions that make wonderful white wines. Not to mention the grapes Riesling, Alvarinho, Grenache Gris, Assyrtiko… the list goes on and on.
Red wines have their tannins; white wines have their fresh acidity. Both can be equally tasty. Both can be equally complex. Just in different ways.
Yet another reason not to care too much about points and scores.
At this very moment, at the end of March, beginning of April, two important things happen in the wine world. First, this is the time when the vines get their first tiny leaves in many wine regions. A new year in the growth cycle has begun in the vineyard.
And secondly, this is the time of the year when you should get serious with your plans for a wine tour the coming autumn! And book one! We have several exciting tours in the autumn program: Bordeaux, Piedmont, Douro Valley, and the Alentejo. Book one now.
We have also just finalised the 2018 wine tour to Chile and Argentina. If you are interested in this tour I recommend that you don’t wait too long. We have already quite a lot of interest in this tour.
Read more below.
Enjoy this month’s Brief!
Britt & Per
PS: Recommend to your friends to read the Brief !
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