Is wine classification ridiculous?

[VIDEODROME]

I mean I like my red wine, but I wonder can most people really tell the difference between the different red grape wines? Pinot Noir might stand out maybe, but how about Merlot vs. Cabernet Souvignon? Can most people really tell the difference?

In the end for me it isn't so much the front lable that matters most. It's the back label. When shopping for wines I skim the back and look for mentions of the flavors I like. I'm particularly fond of Black Cherry in my red wine.

With just Red Wine you have classifications like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Norton, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noit, Pinotage, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, and Zinfandel. Most of these words don't mean a damn thing to me. Also there is labels based on region liek Chianti.

Sometimes I think wine should be set on the shelves more like Liqour. Red wine in a section called Red Wine. Maybe split the section between domestic and import. Beyond that skip the bulls*** about the name of the grapes.

[VIDEODROME]

I'll use my most recent purchase as an example. I bought a bottle of Black Opal Australian wine. It is a Cabernet Merlot. I don't know what the significance of that is but that is what it's labeled. I guess it just means it is a mix of 2 different grapes. Whatever.

On the back label though it mentions the flavors of berry and mint. I like mint so I buy it and like it.

I guess the point of this is, does all the BS about the grape names only confuse people who are not connosieurs of wine? Does it also make wine seem like a beverage for pretentious snobs?

[Nick]

I'm as far from a wine expert as one can get, but I can definately tell the difference. Shiraz is my preferred red.

[VIDEODROME]

Like I said though Whiskey for example does not define itself by the species of grain it is derived from. You buy whiskey by brand name instead right?

So why not sell wine the same way?

[Coach Leslie Miles]

I think they are meaningful and after a fair amount of wine drinking, the vast majority of people can tell and do buy wine based on the grape. I know I could tell the difference. Plus when one person says you might taste "X,X and X" anothe rmight get something totally different based on the what they are eating with it, etc.

Plus there has to be something there. At the very least "Red Table Wine" (for example). If they use a grape name, it has to be made from 75% of that grape. I think it cuts down on a lot of confusion.

[Joey]

Originally Posted by VIDEODROME

Like I said though Whiskey for example does not define itself by the species of grain it is derived from. You buy whiskey by brand name instead right?

So why not sell wine the same way?

Well, if I understand correctly. A lot of the distinctive flavor of any grain or whatever the mash is comprised of is lost during the distillation process. Much of the flavor comes from the barrel ageing process. Wine is not distilled, it's a fermented drink, i.e. the type of grape has a more influence over the flavor of the wine. That being said, im no connosieur. However, I can distinguish Cabernet Sauvignon(my favorite so far), from other reds.

[DrEvyl666]

Originally Posted by VIDEODROME

I mean I like my red wine, but I wonder can most people really tell the difference between the different red grape wines? Pinot Noir might stand out maybe, but how about Merlot vs. Cabernet Souvignon? Can most people really tell the difference?

In the end for me it isn't so much the front lable that matters most. It's the back label. When shopping for wines I skim the back and look for mentions of the flavors I like. I'm particularly fond of Black Cherry in my red wine.

With just Red Wine you have classifications like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Norton, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noit, Pinotage, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, and Zinfandel. Most of these words don't mean a damn thing to me. Also there is labels based on region liek Chianti.

Sometimes I think wine should be set on the shelves more like Liqour. Red wine in a section called Red Wine. Maybe split the section between domestic and import. Beyond that skip the bulls*** about the name of the grapes.

Actually, it is organized that way. At least around here. The varietals mean a lot to someone who knows wine, and they are definitely very different flavors, and each has it's own distinct characteristics. If you know what those characteristics are, it makes it real easy to pick the perfect wine for what you're after.

You just have to be willing to develop a palate.

[VIDEODROME]

Hmm. I guess what I'd really like to see more of is better descriptions on the backs of the bottles. Just a short write up on what kind of flavors it has. Y'know like if it has emphasis on oak flavor? Is there some s***e there? Maybe if there is some cherry or plum added? Another one I like is wine description on the bottle suggesting what foods they go well with.

Quite a few wine bottles do have this. However just as many of them don't. Or the description on the bottle talks about the history of the winery, the region it comes from, or the family company while really saying nothing about the wine itself in the bottle.

I think if all wines did this it would make it simpler for the average non-connoisseur person to shop for wine. It would be easy to browse by picking up bottles with better descriptions on them. My main gripe is that it's awkward for some first time shoppers curious about wine being confused by all the different labels and I think doing this more would help alleviate that.

[raph8erxxx]

if you do get more into wine not only will the grape be inportant but so will the appelacion, age, weather conditions that year, other things found in the soil, and time of harvest.


In wine its known as the terroir (basically the essence of everything that goes into a grape)

[dropthebass]

yes, wine classification does matter.
if you have any wineries near your area, swing by one, or even look around in local classes, for oenology courses.
it's pretty fun.