I know that I'm going to get a bunch of noses out of joint here, but in my opinion, on the whole, French wine sucks.

First of all, it is way too dry for me. Even the CdP's are too dry for me. I was at a Francophile's house over Christmas -- he handed me a glass of the "good stuff." I drank it, and then asked for something a little fruitier. He then opened something else, and it, too, was dry as a bone.

Next, it is WAY too expensive. The very best Califronia wines run around $175/bottle. The very best French wines run around $1000/bottle. To me, this is not a result of a product that is seven times better. Please!

The really good stuff takes too damned long to be "ready to drink." We can't all have the palate of DRAB, and I'm just not patient enough.

I can't read the labels.

The whole Controllee Appelation mess (whatever the hell you call it) is a joke. Why is it that there are fifth growths that are far better than some of the first growths?

Government control -- bad idea!

I should disclose my bias -- I don't really like French people either. Now, generally speaking, most of the French people who are involved in the wine industry are pretty cool and I'd love to have them over to my house for dinner. But in the final analysis, when I think of French people, I'm thinking they're all a bunch of Jacques Chiracs. Hard to separate my distaste for the French with their wine.

And when it comes right down to it, the taste of the wine just doesn't do it for me. I mean, a nicely aged bordeaux is "fine," but that's really it -- just "fine." I'd rather have a young CaliCab than a six year old Bordeaux. And I'd rather have anything Aussie, an OR or WA pinot, or a Argentinian malbec.

And as G-Dead points out below, French wines are corked 2-3 times more often than California wines.

So -- there it is......

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Golf&PinotNut,

You better duck pal.

Uh oh....

quote:

Originally posted by Golf&Pinot Nut:

... it is way to dry for me. ..

What is this? Embarrass yourself in public week?

bring it on

actually I forgrot to mention

The views expressed in this thread are solely those of the writers and do not express the opinions of the wine-drinking types that work at Wine Spectator.

It will be fun to pull this thread up next year when he does another wine switch and changes his handle to "Golf&Bordeaux Nut"

Is there something with the moon today? Whatever it is, I love it!

Hunter --

Considering my current proclivities, I think "Golf&Burgundy Nut" would be more likely.

I kind of like the rant...I actually just had my first bottle of french wine in a few years this past weekend...a CdP...really as a comparison to the February TAA wine

Patrick Lesec Selections CdP Marquis 2001

Vs.

Rosemount GSM

Well....the french CdP was not too dry for me...actually was very fruit forward...really liked it, but for $7 less....I'll buy more of the Rosemount

quote:

I'd rather have a young CaliCab than a six year old Bordeaux.

That's my favorite part. P-nut it's only March 1, still a month for April fools.

Well said and I totally agree, but with 2 exceptions.

1) Alsatian wine. In any event the Alsatians are not French, they may speak French and they may be governed from Paris, but they are NOT French.
2) Champagne. As much as I don't like to admit it Champagne is still king of the white fizzy drinks.

Another thing I'd add to the list
- The climate is too variable and you have to watch out for dog vintages full of undrinkable wine, along with it's related partner of the French practice of using good vintages to ratchet up the price of bad vintages.

I thoroughly enjoy French wines - back in the ‘80s.

The benckmark sucks?

don't forget to add in the part about it being really hard to find affordable Burdundy that tastes good

quote:

Originally posted by Golf&Pinot Nut:
Hunter --

Considering my current proclivities, I think "Golf&Burgundy Nut" would be more likely.

Ummm, errr, excuse me, but I think somehow, maybe? that Burgundy is in France? No?

Golf&Pinot, you have definitely hung yourself out to dry on this one, my friend. While I have been very frustrated with the rising costs of French wines lately, I must say that when it comes to my own experiences in wine drinking the finest Pinot, Chardonnay, dessert wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and sparkling wine I have tasted have all been French. When you read reviews for some of the better California wines you often see comparisons made to the finest French wines. France pretty much has the benchmark for fine wine world-wide. Yeah, the aoc is confusing as hell, yes their methods are a little odd, yes some of their wines do cost $1,000/bottle, but when it comes to setting the mark for the finest wines produced, France pretty much takes it in all categories....

I admire your guts

I keep thinking that my affinity for New World Wine is just because I have never had a real great French wine?

quote:

the finest Pinot, Chardonnay, dessert wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and sparkling wine I have tasted have all been French

FSU...damn good thing I dont drink any of this swill

Of course...I do love Port (not french)

The Gator has spoken and the Seminoles lost

I had to say it...LOL

However I do want to know...when is the '01 Don Melchor arriving...I found a bottle a some small Pembroke Pines store while visiting my sister...so I've been tempted by the nector...and looking to ABCFWS to provide more..hehehe

quote:

I keep thinking that my affinity for New World Wine is just because I have never had a real great French wine?

I've had what others would consider excellent fine French wines before but yet I prefer New World stuff. I believe that in order to enjoy aged French wine it is a taste that must be acquired.

FSUwineguy

I'll bet that if you take a 10 year verticle of Grange or Screagle and pit that against a 10 year verticle from any 1st growth chateau that the Grange or Screagle will have a higher average rating.

Another thing that bugs me is that when people defend French wine they always talk about 1st growths, Y'dquem and the great champagne houses, they never want to talk about the vin ordinaire.

With regards to my last post and all things being said in this thread, Sauternes are still untouchable.

But they aren't a great match with Chocolate....and If I'm gonna have a dessert...its gonna include Chocolate

This is one of the ___________ threads(fill in), and the original poster knows it pretty well. Like toasted breadcrumbs on the moonless night, it brings the catfish out.

quote:

it brings the catfish out

Assuming fresh water...fry em up and have a good dinner

quote:

I can't read the labels.

I have the same problem. I would like to venture into Old World wines, but even if I tried something I liked, it would be difficult for me to remember the wine, nevertheless pronounce and spell it to find the same bottle again.