Lambrusco: Wine Industry Promotion or Forgotten Gem?

As someone who likes to try new wines, and be on the cutting edge of emerging trends, a slight smile crossed my face when the lovely young women manning the Vinlandia USA table at the Killington Wine Festival began aggressively promoting Lambrusco, as I tasted through their portfolio at the Saturday Grand Tasting. 

"You simply have to try Lambrusco," said one of the women. "It's a delicious, dry sparkling red." 

Not to worry, I told her, I'd definitely be trying the Lambrusco. My philosophy of always being willing to try any wine that I'm offered when at a tasting nonwithstanding, I'm well aware of what Lambrusco is, and I've had several good experiences with it. I very much appreciated the Villa di Corlo Lambrusco Sorbara that was served at the Vinlandia USA table, but I also thought of the Lini Lambruscos that I occasionally enjoyed during the days that I worked at BRIX Wine Shop in Boston. I'd always enjoyed Lambrusco, but it wasn't something that I drank very often. 

Still, I couldn't help battling a little skepticism, as other festival attendees approached the table, and were given the same spiel about the Lambrusco. Perhaps it was because I'd witnessed repeated efforts to attract people to the Lambrusco, but after one couple walked away without trying the Lambrusco, one of the women at the table addressed my girlfriend and I again. "It's the summer of Lambrusco," she declared, and pointed towards a placard on the table.

 

Click to read more ...

Wine Fashion: Is Syrah the Latest Victim?

Wine, like any other product or work of art subject to consumer demand and preference, is affected by fads, phases, and consumer trends that dictate what wines are fashionable to drink. Some fashions are born of time tested, widespread positive experiences, as evidenced by the inevitable "Chardonnay tax" and "Cabernet Sauvignon tax" that are inherent to most restaurant wine lists in this country. Restauranteurs prey on the fact that most customers are familiar with Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and are likely to order these wines with their meals as part of a desire to remain within a comfort zone. The reality of the situation is that while wine consumption is on the rise within the United States, few consumers want to waste time and energy learning about wine. It is this condition that results in the majority of wine buying decisions being made on the basis on myth, media-driven recommendation, popular culture, and "comfort-zone" experience.

Click to read more ...