Many a time I read that German wine labels are difficult to read and
confusing but on the other hand, nobody rants about French labels. It seems
everyone in the World reads French. As an Asian who doesn't understand both
languages, the two are as uninterpretable. So much has been raved about the
Sauternes but only few have heard about the Trockenbeerenauslese which is as
tasty. Who first come across botrytis? Was it not a German? Somehow the
whole world got the impression that the "best" wines come only from France,
paying through their nose for "top" Bordeauxs and Burgundies. In reality,
wines from Spain, Italy, Germany etc are as good in quality and cost a lot
less. In a recent blind tasting in France, French judges were astonished
when they realized the top wine voted was American. Many people's genuine
taste and liking are somewhat clouded by brands, trend and fashion. A good
example would be like some of the nouveau riches in China who bought French
classics like the Petrus to show that they are into sophisticated wine
drinking but privately drank them with some lemonade. An Italian Lambrusco
would have kept them happier for just a fraction of what they had spent.