|
 The importance of the importer When we learn to read wine labels, we begin with the basics: Check for the winery or producer, the country or region, the vintage and, if it's not assumed from the geographical information given, the grape varieties used. Oh, yeah, and ... try not to be influenced by the pretty picture or any laudatory public-relations prose. All this is good advice, and if you're still in that part of the learning process, you might enjoy a visit to our brief, illustrated Wine Label Decoder at http://www.wineloverspage.com/wines/labels.shtml .
I'm talking about the line that identifies the importer, the hard-working individual or company that located the wine, negotiated a deal with the producer, and went through the legal red tape and paperwork required to bring it back to your country for distribution and sale. (Never a trivial task, this has become even more complicated for U.S. consumers in the post-9/11 era, when influential pressure groups have pushed for new regulations in the name of anti-terrorism that just happen to make it more difficult than ever for small overseas producers and importers to get their wines to consumers. But that's another story, for another day.) Knowing where the wine came from, who made it, and what it's made of is all important information. But for me, if the wine is unfamiliar, then checking the importer's name will often sway the "buy" or "don't-buy" decision. Just like any merchant, an importer who's earned my trust will often make the sale on the basis of his name alone; one who's earned my disdain through lackluster product (or worse) will have a tough time roping me in for another try. Today's featured wine, a delicious obscurity from Colli di Luni, a relatively little-known region of coastal Northwestern Italy, is an offering from John Given, a New York-based importer who's earned my strong trust with a narrow focus on just that sort of thing: All Italian, all the time, cherry-picking a few very good producers who've escaped the attention of larger importers. He's never failed me yet. Let's wrap up today's sermon with a short, idiosyncratic list of U.S. importers who consistently make my "good guys" list. If their products are available to you, they deserve a second look. Listed alphabetically:
Please note that this list is only a sample, not an unabridged directory. I'm sure I've overlooked some favorites; moreover, not all of these companies are represented in every state, and - regretfully - these names will be of little or no use to our many readers in other countries. I'd love to hear your suggestions, though, wherever you live. If you have a favorite importer, or several, that you'd like to tell me about, please send me E-mail at wine@wineloverspage.com, or better yet, post your comment on our Wine Lovers' Discussion Group forum, linked under "TALK ABOUT WINE ONLINE" just below. I expect this invitation will yield a flood of mail, so please accept my apologies in advance if I'm not able to respond personally to them all. Please be assured that I'll keep all your suggestions in a list and make use of it in future reports.
PRINT OUT TODAY'S ARTICLE
TALK ABOUT WINE ONLINE If you prefer to comment privately, feel free to send me E-mail at wine@wineloverspage.com. I'll respond personally to the extent that time and volume permit. 
Auxo Lunae 2001 Colli di Luni Rosso ($18.99)
Inky dark-garnet, black at the core, this is a Chianti-like blend of Sangiovese (70%), Canaiolo (15%) and the regional Ciliegiolo grape (15%) from the undeservedly obscure region Colli di Luni, an appellation that crosses the border between Tuscany and Liguria near the Italian Riviera town of La Spezia. Plums and black cherries mingle in an attractive fruit-and-spice aroma that adds intriguing notes of gunflint and smoke. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors center on tart cherries, with earthy and spice notes that follow the nose. Firm tannins are present, but they're secondary to the fresh, zippy fruit. U.S. importer: John Given Wines Co., Manhasset, N.Y. (April 24, 2005) FOOD MATCH: The simple flavors of a roast free-range chicken made a perfect backdrop for this crisp, fruity red. VALUE: Its upper-teens price pushes the edge of "everyday" drinking for most of us, but in fairness, it's more than competitive for a wine of this quality in the age of the puny dollar. WHEN TO DRINK: Tannins, fruit and balance suggest some aging potential, but all its components come together so nicely now that it would be a shame to hold it until the fruit has fled. I'd drink it up over the next year or so.
PRONUNCIATION:
WEB LINK
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
SUBSCRIBE: Administrivia To subscribe or unsubscribe from The 30 Second Wine Advisor, change your E-mail address, or for any other administrative matters, please use the individualized hotlink found at the end of your E-mail edition. If this is not practical, contact me by E-mail at wine@wineloverspage.com, including the exact E-mail address that you used when you subscribed, so I can find your record. We do not use our E-mail list for any other purpose and will never give or sell your name or E-mail address to anyone. I welcome feedback, suggestions, and ideas for future columns. To contact me, please send E-mail to wine@wineloverspage.com All the wine-tasting reports posted here are consumer-oriented. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I purchase all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores and accept no samples, gifts or other gratuities from the wine industry.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
|
