Posted on 03/06/2010 10:13:30 PM PST by bruinbirdman
THE French wine industry has been accused of trying to cover up a blight that is cutting a swathe through some of the country's top vineyards.
It is not yet understood why, but premature oxidation is making many white burgundy vintages almost undrinkable just when they should be coming into their own.
“Everywhere else in the world this worrying problem is the subject of internet websites dedicated entirely to it,” said Bernard Burtschy, a highly respected French wine critic. “But there is a real ‘omerta’, or code of honour, on the subject in France.”
Producers are under attack for refusing to replace highly expensive “grand cru” bottles of white burgundy that should have been at their best a decade after being bottled but which instead tasted like sherry.
“They deny the problem exists and cast doubt on the quality of your cellar as a place to store wine, or on the cork, but they won’t give you a new bottle,” another expert told Le Figaro newspaper.
Several explanations have been put forward, from global warming and subtle changes in production techniques to the declining quality of corks and increased yields of grapes.
All white wine gradually oxidises in the bottle, going a darker colour and developing a distinctive flavour and smell, but this should not happen to the finest white burgundies for several years — and in some cases decades — after being bottled.
The wines worst affected include some of the most prestigious in Burgundy, including Meursault and Montrachet. The problem was noticed in the 1995 wines but Steven Tanzer, an American critic, was the first to raise the alarm in public when the 1996 vintage turned out to be similarly blighted. The problem seems to have intensified since. Although producers appear to be in
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
At least it won’t affect my beer!
From my long stays in France and much of continental Europe, this kind of fraud is rather endemic there. If you think France is bad, try Greece or Italy.
It took the Protestant work ethic to cleanse England and northern Europe of this retrograde mentality. It also is what kept Britain, America, Australia and the rest of the Anglosphere special, and separate, from the others.
So, they get 100 yr. old wine in 10 years. Such a bargain!!
yitbos
This never happens with MD 20/20!
Wine Production down....Women and Children hit hardest.....There will riots in Paris......AGAIN
Frontera Merlot...great table wine.
France announces a preemptive surrender, just to be safe.
Fear not wine lovers! The problem has been solved, a cheap brand of anti-freeze was used back then to blend with the wine but now a much better grade is being added.
And they did say only “ALMOST” undrinkable.
LOL - That's because MD 20/20 isn't wine. It's ethanol and grape juice.
Don’t forget the formaldehyde!
Frontera and Choncha Y Toro are from the same people. I had a friend recommend another from the same people; Cassilio el Diablo (sic) I bought a couple of bottles(really, really good), but the “Choncha Y Toro Frontera merlot” was so close and cheaper, I sunk to the lowest level and continue to buy/drink their Merlot; your favorite blend is good, as is the Shiraz. I find the Shiraz, after opened a week to be bit bitter. I haven’t tried their whites, have you?
I'm more of a mirliton wine guy.
yitbos
LOL, LOL. What call do you use to lure in the shy and elusive chayote’s within range, and how many chayote’s do you have to bag and stomp/press on to make your wine?
Need some help stomping them, I just bought a new pair of Keds from Wal Mart. How is the acidity?
Need some help stomping them, I just bought a new pair of Keds from Wal Mart. How is the acidity?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.