Last week I wrote about the simple pleasures of a certain Chianti, one that happened to be a kick ass value. Since then I've had the good fortune of drinking some more expensive bottlings, including one this evening - a $50 Brunello di Montalcino.
As with every wine submitted to Winethropology for review, the Brunello was subjected to parallel evaluations: one purely qualitative (Does it taste good? Is it a quality product?) and the other a subjective valuation of its relative worth (How much would I pay to drink this again?) As the evening ticked on, my thoughts kept returning to the Chianti, a wine which was so much more enjoyable than the Brunello - and at a quarter the price. I was reminded of the simple lesson that repeats itself again and again: pedigree doesn't mean jack on the street - or when the wine settles into the glass.
Sure, experiencing expensive wines can be a thrill, but those who believe that you get what you pay for in the highfalutin wine segment should see me about some very pricey original artwork. For the rest of us, there is reason to have faith that there are, indeed, pockets of imbibing joy to be had the world over at more attainable prices.
As 2013 gets underway in earnest, this is where my focus gravitates. No, I will not turn my nose up at the occasional luxury-priced wines that come my way, but you'll not be reading about mediocre $50 Brunellos on this site. That I promise you.
Cheers.
As with every wine submitted to Winethropology for review, the Brunello was subjected to parallel evaluations: one purely qualitative (Does it taste good? Is it a quality product?) and the other a subjective valuation of its relative worth (How much would I pay to drink this again?) As the evening ticked on, my thoughts kept returning to the Chianti, a wine which was so much more enjoyable than the Brunello - and at a quarter the price. I was reminded of the simple lesson that repeats itself again and again: pedigree doesn't mean jack on the street - or when the wine settles into the glass.
Sure, experiencing expensive wines can be a thrill, but those who believe that you get what you pay for in the highfalutin wine segment should see me about some very pricey original artwork. For the rest of us, there is reason to have faith that there are, indeed, pockets of imbibing joy to be had the world over at more attainable prices.
As 2013 gets underway in earnest, this is where my focus gravitates. No, I will not turn my nose up at the occasional luxury-priced wines that come my way, but you'll not be reading about mediocre $50 Brunellos on this site. That I promise you.
Cheers.