On Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:43:25 -0500, Mark Lipton >
wrote:

>p.k. wrote:
>
>> So we have a top Rhone producer, growing in Australian Terroir producing
>> some form of hybridized French/Australian Shiraz/Syrah.
>>
>> Now, I've heard a lot about Australian Flying wine makers bringing New World
>> techniques to the French Regions, and Champagne houses setting up off shoots
>> in a whole host of places. But the idea of searching out "old world terroir"
>> in the new world for the likes of Shiraz in a new one on me.
>
>There's nothing too novel here, really. In the US, Ravenswood (now an
>arm of Constellation) bottles an SE Oz Shiraz for sale in the States.
>Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon buys Madiran and other wines from S France
>for bottling and sale in the US. I expect that Chapoutier is doing the
>same for the same reasons: the grapes are cheap enough that it's
>financially attractive even after factoring in transportation costs. As
>for Old World winemakers looking for "Old World terroir" in the New
>World, think of Chandon's international operations, or Drouhin's.
>There's limited land available in the prestigous AOCs, so why not look
>for land with potential outside of Europe?
>
>Mark Lipton

Chapoutier's wines here are aimed at the mid range buyer ($AUD15-20)
who have a desire for French influence (for some that reads trying to
impress others..:>)), and is selling quite well locally. Their
distributor is having their portfolio tasting on Feb 21st, so I will
be better able to judge then.

hooroo...