Elko Tchernev wrote:
> On my way from Europe, I had a longish layover stay at Dulles
> airport, where I chanced upon Vino Volo (www.vinovolo.com). They are
> apparently trying to simplify the wine appreciation process by
> introducing a 2-d wine scale:
> http://www.vinovolo.com/learn.php
> Does this make any sense to you? And does anybody else use such a
> classification?

No, it strikes me as too simple (fruit/non-fruit? c'mon!) and I wouldn't
agree with their definition of BRIGHT, which to me denotes a fairly high
acidity, too. And the idea of a BROODING Pinot Noir is amusing to me,
though there certainly are some.

> 3: BURGUNDY
>
> GRAPE Pinot Noir
> WINE "Emotion de Terroirs"
> WINERY Vincent Girardin
> REGION Cote d' Or
> YEAR 2003
> $27 bottle
>
> This Pinot Noir from Burgundy has a focus on non-fruit flavors and
> aromas make for a BROODING wine. Violet and rose blossom with some
> autumn leaves and mulling spices are the first impression, rounded out
> by fruit components of candy apple and strawberry.
>
> My notes:
> Very good balance of tannins and acidity; the aromas do not try to
> overwhelm, but play nicely along. Each sip was delightful.
> Grade: A
>

It's interesting to me to read the notes on 2003 Burgs starting to
appear here and elsewhere. My kneejerk response was to dismiss the
vintage as a sun-baked disaster, but it appears that some winemerks were
able to make good wine even under those extreme conditions. I might
have to give a few a look, though if their prices remain high, it'll be
hard to entrust my $ to such a risky vintage.

Mark Lipton