A wine’s appellation designation may be the single most
significant general indicator of its quality. In nonspecific terms,
appellation is the geographic region where the grapes were grown.
Every designated region has unique characteristics, and each grape
variety has certain preferred appellations that are more conducive
for producing better fruit. The majority of what you taste in wine
comes from the grape itself, not the post-harvest machinations of
the winemaker, so it only makes sense that the grape’s appellation
is key to producing excellent wine.
There are hundreds of appellations in existence. No worries –
learn but a few and grow your knowledge from there.
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“Taste trumps all rules and ratings.
If it tastes good, then it is the right
wine for you.”
Pinot noir from the reputable Willamette Valley in Oregon, or
Russian River Valley or Carneros in California, or the Burgundy
region of France are certainly among the finest. Zinfandel from
Lodi or Dry Creek Valley can be quite reputable. Cabernet from
Napa Valley is a no-brainer. You get the picture. Become familiar
with a couple of these regions, then read the wine labels and find
the renowned appellation designations for the particular grape
variety you are interested in. Buy accordingly.
Regarding price, it is assumed that the better wines cost more.
However, know that not all grape varieties are created equal.
Finding a decent pinot noir for less than $20 is difficult, but
spending more than $20 for a palatable malbec, sauvignon blanc
or zinfandel is probably not absolutely necessary. The price for a
quality wine varies by grape variety. A knowledgeable wine steward
or store clerk can be most helpful in guiding your selection here.
The good news is that the quality/price ratio for most wines is much
better today than it was a generation ago. The world’s wines are
better than ever. Today you can get some pretty tasty stuff for $15
or $20. If you don’t want to spend that much, do not apologize.
Discovering a nice l