Herald Tribune - Gus Clemens (USA) January 2024
Wine has enjoyed quite a run. Consumption up for decades. Quality up - the best in the 8,000-year history of wine. Availability up, thanks in no small part to elimination of antediluvian restrictions on direct-to-consumer wine sales. Nothing, however, lasts forever. Consumption has leveled off. Quality remains, but now the problem is too much wine. For consumers, nice problem given the old supply and demand equation. For wine makers, a problem, given the old supply and demand equation. Australia estimates it has asurplus of 2.8 billion bottles of wine, enough for more than 100 bottles for every man, woman, and child in the country. France allocated 200 million euros to distill excess wine into industrial alcohol. Spain and California face similar, if slightly less dire, situations. Reasons are not obscure. During the wine consumption surge, lots of people wanted to jump on the bandwagon. Even if they did not make money off their winery, they coveted the lifestyle. Existing growers and makers did not hesitate to respond to the increased demand. Now, in the autumn of those heady times, actuarial reality. Baby Boomers fueled the boom. Alas, our time is passing. Those still around sip less wine. Those no longer around are sipping in another dimension where corkscrews are not needed. The wine industry prays Millennials and follow-on generations will discover the Elysium joys of fermented grape juice, but that is not certain. Boomers considered themselves bullet proof. Their progeny observed the results of that folly. They simply do not drink as much alcohol as their parents, they may not drink alcohol at all, and - even if they do - there are not as many of them. Boomers arethe bolus working its way through the spreadsheet. Most wine drinking countries are in an era of population decline. If you are a Boomer like me, take it all in and continue to enjoy the ride. We've got access to the best wine ever made and winemakers desperate to sell it. What happens next? That is a problem for my children and grandchildren to deal with.
Tasting notes
· Boschendal The Rose Garden Rosé Wine, South Africa 2022: Soft, juicy, light, enchanting red fruits. Straightforward, easily approachable. $12-15
· Barton & Guestier Les Petites Parcelles Vouvray 2021:Delightful iteration of chenin blanc. Touchof sweetness will pleasure many palates; balancing acidity keeps things in check. $15-18
· Maison No. 9 Rosé 2020: Light, lilting, red-fruit-tasty Provence rosé. Sensuous, engaging, unique bottle typical of rosés from French Riviera. $19-23
Links to reviews
www.gusclemensonwine.com/boschendal-the-rose-garden-rose-winewestern-cape-south-africa-2022/#more-18239
www.gusclemensonwine.com/barton-guestier-les-petites-parcellesvouvray-2021/#more-18565
www.gusclemensonwine.com/maison-o-9-rose-2020/#more-18528
Last round
A man threw a milk bottle at me today.
How dairy. Wine time.
Email: wine@cwadv.com. Newsletter: gusclemens.substack.com.Website: gusclemensonwine.com.Facebook: Gus Clemens on Wine.Twitter: @gusclemens
(vintage: 2021)
Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 - Barton & Guestier (UK) July 2021
Bronze Medal - Decanter 2021 - UK - 2019 vintage
(vintage: 2019)
Decanter World WineAwards 2020 - Barton & Guestier (UK) September 2020
Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards 2020
(vintage: 2018)
Cathay Pacific HK International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019 - Barton&Guestier (Chine) December 2019
Bronze Award Cathay Pacific International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019
(vintage: 2018)
The International Wine Challenge 2019 HK - Barton&Guestier (CHINE) November 2019
Médaille de Bronze IWC HK 2019
(vintage: 2018)
The International Wine Challenge 2019 - Barton & Guestier (UK) May 2019
BRONZE MEDAL - MEDAILLE DE BRONZE
(vintage: 2018)
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