"As we enter a new decade, which wines are in tune with the economy and culture..." by Matt Kramer

WINE TALK
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Only those who control the vineyards can give us real innovation and distinction—as opposed to the gimmicks of packaging, the cutesy names and the ever-greater ripeness that today pass as substantive change.

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I’m not sure that being in tune with the economy and culture have much to do with innovation and distinction. Depends on what audience you are playing fo: the general population with its I-want-it-now, I-want-it-cheap, and I-want-it-good culture or us wine-obsessed board members. Sure, MK has a point about France having a “whiff of the backwater” compared to Argentina when it comes to innovation and promotion. But the Southern Rhone sure seems to be in tune with the economy and culture of the “average American.” If we’re talking “in the moment”, France has tons of affordable-in-this-economy Cotes du Rhones that are on the store shelves and ready for drinking now.

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Do you “want to dream your wines”? For my part and with respect to Burgundy…you bet.

RT

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Perhaps I’m in the wrong hobby, as last night I actually dreamt of quenching a deep thirst with, uhhh, Ocean Spray cranberry juice…