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Bordeaux: Your Ass is on Notice

May 20th, 2010 by

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Posted in Wine

10 Responses to “Bordeaux: Your Ass is on Notice”

  1. Strappo says:
    May 21, 2010 at 9:40 am

    Well said, David.

    I’m extremely old, so when I worked in wine retail in the early 70s, many of the great names you mention were easily available and within the means of even such as I. (With employee discounts of course.) They were my great wine education — many of the best estates of Bordeaux and Burgundy which are now the province of the super-rich. I am lucky to have had that sort of formation.

    But I can’t afford to drink such wines. “Tasting” doesn’t do a damn thing for me. The proof of a wine is in the drinking, not a 1 ounce pour.

    All of which is a big part of why, when I conceived my import business, I didn’t give France a thought. It’s Italy, where you can still find ample value combined with vivid character. I’m pretty damned happy about the choice!

  2. David Flaherty says:
    May 21, 2010 at 9:52 am

    Morning Strappo,
    Appreciate the kind words. You nailed it: it’s the “ah-ha!” moments in your early education that form your palette and interests for the future. Mine just happened to latch on to what I could access.
    I’d love to be an advocate for Bordeaux, I just can’t seem to crack the staunchy veneer. And I KNOW that small, great producers exist in droves. Something needs to be done. And quick.
    thanks for your comment,
    David

  3. Susan Guerra says:
    May 21, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Hi David,

    Great post.

    I might just be as old as Strappo :-) but back when I started really getting into wine I was spending my money on daycare and diapers. Now I’m spending it on college tuitions.
    I also agree that tasting does nothing. I need to drink it with a meal and a good conversation. I enjoy wine from many different places with an open mind but I’m with Strappo in choosing Italy. Something new around every bend in the circuitous route from north to south.

    Sue

  4. Lar Veale says:
    May 21, 2010 at 11:30 am

    Feeling your pain. The cherished wine moments I do have are those of Bordeaux classed growths, but those feelings quickly turn to anger, resentment and jealousy.
    If I hadn’t seen such riches, I could live with being poor

  5. David Flaherty says:
    May 22, 2010 at 10:03 am

    I guess the sad part is that I am IN the business and I still have a hard time accessing the region. It boggles my mind that in a region as dense, complex and large as Bordeaux is, that we hear so little about the backwater regions and we haven’t seen many of the smaller AOC’s catch on with wine geeks.

    I’m convinced there are some amazing stories to be told and some incredible wines to be discovered that lie far from the Haut Medoc…

  6. ben wood says:
    May 22, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    Hi,
    David,
    I agree with most of this, but have been lucky to hook up with some folks who love the high end old Bordeaux; so occasionally get to try them . . . however I don’t take much of it home, for two reasons- I love the lighter elegant wines; often from the Loire . . However for special occasions I try to have a special wine, often Bordeaux. In retail I see a lot of interest in Bordeaux from certain ages and up, just as the article suggests- however vintners like David at Tir Pe, and the folks from Champ De Trielles are great; and respond to emails and questions.
    Thanks,
    Ben

  7. David Flaherty says:
    May 22, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    Hi Ben, cheers for writing in. I’m bonkers for Loire wines; for the exact reasons you mentioned. I’m stoked to hear some names coming forward of some vintners you’re stoked on. Thats what I’m missing; hearing people passionately supporting and ferreting out producers that aren’t the same roster of characters I’ve heard tossed around like prized baseball cards time and time again.

    I actually spent some time today tearing through the Bordeaux maps in the World Atlas of Wine and was stunned to see its been awhile since I’ve tasted so many of those wines. Guess its just where I’m at in my wine journey right now.

    Perhaps its time I steered my ship that way again soon.

    thanks for writing in and I’ll have to check out 67wine soon!

  8. Bordeaux Wine Council says:
    May 23, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    I’d like to encourage you to explore affordable Bordeaux wines on our sit http://bit.ly/todaysbdx which features classic and contemporary wines under $35.

  9. J Rudolph says:
    May 30, 2010 at 2:03 am

    Bordeaux pricing itself out of existence kiss your ass goodbye? Asimov's theory don't think its true http://tinyurl.com/2auky4l

  10. Wine News – June 9, 2010 – Uncorked Cincinnati says:
    June 9, 2010 at 8:30 am

    […] Bordeaux: Your Ass is on Notice Bordeaux is becoming irrelevant to younger wine lovers, at least that’s the NY Times take.  Grapes and Grains takes a look at how Bordeaux has isolated itself from the rest of the world. […]

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