Wine, Glorious Wine!

People who really understand good wine are conscious that wine is unlike any other beverage. You can't just whip up another batch once a vintage has depleted! Vignerons get one chance, once a year, to grow a finite number of grapes to make a limited quantity of wine. When it's gone - it's gone! 

That's why people invest small fortunes [sometimes large] on collecting wines!

Viva la Difference!!

Wine is the reflection of the terroir of a region in which the wine grapes are grown. Essentially this means that the composition of soil, amount of sunlight and rain, gradient of slope, daily temperatures etc all play an integral part in determining the levels of sugar, colour and flavour components in the grapes.

This explains why Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc in France doesn't taste the same as Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra in Australia. And why your Chardonnay tastes a little different this year than it did last year, from the same producer.

Raison d'être

Wine may be more complex, and more regulated, but it's also become more popular globally than any other agricultural product.

That's what made the big beverage companies take notice, and start consolidating towards the end of last century.. Consolidation means that larger companies are able to consistently supply larger liquor chains with standardised wine from vintage to vintage, so that consumers can develop faith in brands, and make their choice easier.

However, in some instances this has been at a cost - both to our palates and to a plethora of family businesses that simply can't compete in such a market. We need these small, individual wineries to stay afloat, and keep on making traditionally crafted, unique wines that reflect the best each country, region and vintage has to offer.

The unofficial aim of this site is to support small to medium wineries in all countries by educating consumers about the intricacies of winemaking, and buiding an appreciation for the diversity on offer.

Happy reading, and happy drinking!!

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