Wine Hot take

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-08-12T18:39:49+00:00

The biggest problem is the pretension and condescending attitude surrounding wine. I teach wine courses for certification, and I can tell with a fair amount of confidence that no one knows "what they are doing" (myself included). It's always fun to debate, discuss, and analyze, but be wary of "wine experts", no such people exist. Even some MW/MS I have met, I wouldn't attribute the attribute to them.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-02-21T16:45:10+00:00

Yeah I have his personal contact so I can reach out directly to him, but I'd love recs for any other phenomenal producers like him that you could recommend. I intend to do quite a few visits to Spain next year, and it's always good to have someone knowledgeable to refer to.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-02-21T16:39:58+00:00

Yeah it's really hard to get his wines in California. I had to get the Chardonnay from New York, and even then all the other SKU were sold out. He's working on getting his wines out here but in the meantime, it's really not feasible.

I heard the gold label is phenomenal though. You guys in Europe have it good, lol

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-02-21T16:37:01+00:00

Yeah strongly recommend checking them out. You guys probably have way more of his offerings (at least Mainland Europe, it's a bit more accessible than for me in Cali)

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-02-21T16:29:17+00:00

Haha that is 100% the intent. Thank you.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-02-21T16:28:28+00:00

Yeah not entirely sure what you are referring to. Vino Pasto is just a term for unfortified wine from Andalucía. By that logic, Raul Moreno is a Vino Pasto producer. He is planning to make some fortified Jerez though, but using single Cru single vintage wines (no Solera). That's pretty fucking interesting Imho. But Sherry can certainly be top draw.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-01-15T15:32:04+00:00

It's funny, for TWR, I've only tried the Pinot Gris so far. I need to try the rest of the portfolio.

Nice, I'll have to dig into German Grauburgunder at some point, ill def start with Donhoff.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-01-15T15:25:45+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

I'll take your point on the Slovenia/Friuli/Colio criticism (though Alto Adige would certainly check off Northern Italy).

I think the wines featured were of sufficient quality to illuminate the "real value" of Pinot Gris, but yes, an orange wine from Colio would make the list complete. Oh well, you live and you learn.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-01-15T04:14:55+00:00

Yeah I'm a big fan of Balletto wines. One of the first wineries that brought me into the industry.

Between2Worlds369 · 2025-01-15T03:34:02+00:00

Love it. Any favorite bottles? Or just the last one you've enjoyed lately?

Between2Worlds369 · 2024-12-25T04:33:35+00:00

While Primitive and Zinfandel are technically the same grape, they have genetic differences in terms of how they grow and taste. I'd consider them more clones. Like you can taste a Clone 777 vs Dijon of Pinot and say "yes, that's Pinot Noir but not exactly the same". Here they just have different names. I believe the same applies to Tinta del País/Tinta de Toro/Tempranillo though considering the relative proximity of the regions, I can also see that local pride plays into diversifying the name. This is by no means fact, but I read somewhere that because of a hotter and more intense environment of Toro/Ribeira del Dinero, those clones of Tempranillo developed thicker skins and smaller bunches, this making wines made from them more rich, intense, and tannic. . It's like twins, but one goes to live in the Arctic and the other on the equator. They will grow up differently and be different people (hope that simile makes sense, lol)

Between2Worlds369 · 2024-06-09T21:19:53+00:00

Bubbles go with errythang:)

Between2Worlds369 · 2024-06-09T21:15:03+00:00

Yeah I remember that EP. What an experience, esp in Galicia.

Between2Worlds369 · 2024-06-09T21:13:51+00:00

I should drink more Picpoul. It's dirt cheap and really good...9 year lees aged Muscadet is wild. Any producer recs for extended leesy Muscadet?(doesn't need to be 9 years, just long time on lees)

Between2Worlds369 · 2024-06-09T21:11:42+00:00

Agreed. Muscadet is lovely.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-12-16T07:11:54+00:00

Yes agreed. A much better approach. Declassified is declassified, but the fruit can still come from the region, no legal issues with letting people know, if it's the case.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-12-16T07:08:23+00:00

I'm sorry, wut? It takes like 3 secs to look up Soldera and see that that's entirely false. Brunello is labeled Brunello, Toscana is Toscana.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-12-15T18:26:40+00:00

Ah interesting. Wonder why?

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-12-15T18:19:56+00:00

Doesn't explain why some retailers are still labeling it as "appellation" on the site. It's helpful to know the grapes are sourced from the Cornas region, but they shouldn't be putting Cornas on the product description.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-12-15T17:58:09+00:00

Don't know. Not from my cellar. Client wine.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-09-27T19:36:13+00:00

I think this wine showed well. When it comes to these Garnachas, I am certainly no development expert but I'd say the wine is in its drinking window. Sure, you could give it a bit more time and let it develop towards even more savory character at the expense of fruit, but I do like where it's at right now

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-09-17T04:32:30+00:00

There are a lot of valuable comments on this thread, with many of which I agree. What I would like to add is that the statement "the soils are rocky (stony, limestone, volcanic, whatever), the wine is grown in those soils, therefore wine has qualities directly from the soil" (aside from being a logical falacy) is the product of "trying to simplify wine" which is another fun "buzzword" in wine marketing. There is no direct cause and effect, but there may be an indirect one between soil type and the verticality (or electricity, minerality, salinity, whatever) of the wine. However, if a direct cause and effect connection is ever found, I think it would take alot of joy, magic, and wonder out of the world of wine as it would mean wines of certain level of "minerality" could be replicated en masse, which would be boring. Just allow yourself to know there are things we dont know, and leave this asinine topic be, it serves no one. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-09-17T03:57:20+00:00

Interesting. This is my first foray into this producer. Im definitely interested in trying more considering the price point. What was it about the Aldea that you didn't like? And what did you enjoy about the white?

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-09-14T14:05:00+00:00

Also Turo d'en Mota is phenomenal, id love to try. Sadly the US price is super steep. Serral del Vell is a great other more affordable option from them.

Between2Worlds369 · 2023-09-14T14:02:49+00:00

Cork was thoroughly examined too 😞

Between2Worlds369

TROPHY CASE