tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post2919690033782787509..comments2023-07-11T04:05:22.683-05:00Comments on Reflections on Wine: Un disastro!tom hylandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-59263579303476931022012-12-14T10:46:17.093-06:002012-12-14T10:46:17.093-06:00Alfonso: Thanks very much for commenting. Your wo...Alfonso: Thanks very much for commenting. Your work promoting Italian wines has been exemplary - we need more people such as yourself to continue educating today's consumers and members of the trade about the glories of Italian wine.<br /><br />I basically agree with you when you write that "Italy needs no defending." In this case, I wrote this post to point out that Italian wines do not receive the respect they deserve in the country, especially as compared with French and California wines. It's a caste system of wine education, one that is antiquated and one that needs to change. <br /><br />Kevin writes gloriously about many types of French wines, but only a very few Italian wines. He writes nothing about Taurasi, except to include it in a list of Campanian wines and he doesn't even mention wines such as Salice Salentino or Nero di Troia. Then to write what he does about white wines in Italy is a slap in the face to hundreds of excellent producers.<br /><br />The book supposed to be a complete wine course, but while French and California wines are given excellent coverage, Italian wines clearly do not get their due. That's the main point of my post, especially as thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of consumers will read this book, hoping to learn about the wines of the world. They just won't learn much about Italian wines from this book and a fair amount of what they pick up from this book will be incorrect information. As others have commented here and on my facebook page, they simply can't believe that the mistakes in this section exist.<br /><br />Yes it would be nice for Mr. Zraly to respond, but as you noted, the train has left the station.tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-68854696937264301102012-12-14T09:16:17.463-06:002012-12-14T09:16:17.463-06:00Anyone looking for Kevin or anyone else to give be...Anyone looking for Kevin or anyone else to give benediction to any country of wines is seeking approval from a place below the Ultimate Source. Italy needs no defending. It simply is, as it has been for 2500+ years - making wine, making some mistakes along the way, but ultimately, in my view, the spearhead for inspired wine making for the rest of the world.<br /><br />If Kevin ( or anyone) doesn't get that at this point, I dont see any reason to take time from my enjoyment of Italian wine to drag him ( or anyone else) along for what has been a great ride.<br /><br />It would be nice for Mr. Zraly to respond, I know he dabbles in social-media - but again, the train is leaving the station with or without him 9 or anyone else).<br /><br />All aboard!<br />Alfonsohttp://www.alfonsocevola.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-37694230416781067132012-12-14T08:48:32.106-06:002012-12-14T08:48:32.106-06:00James: Thank you for taking the time to comment. Y...James: Thank you for taking the time to comment. You have been fighting the good fight for many years and have been tasting and importing wines from dozens of outstanding artisan producers in Italy; for this, you are to be congratulated.<br /><br />So for people such as yourself who understand the passion and dedication that are at the heart of so many great Italian wines, it's frustrating and sad to read so much incorrect information from a leading wine educator. I haven't seen "The Wine Bible" in some time, so I'll look at that as well.<br /><br />The bigger problem as I wrote, is this status of Italian wines in this book. Zraly just doesn't take the time to make certain this is a well-written section. It's more than several basic mistakes, it's his attitude toward Italian wines, as though in his mind, they are not as unique or as excellent as French wines. Thus he presents the reader with a poorly organized, error-ridden look at Italian wines, one in which he basically dismisses all but a few wines from the country.<br /><br />This sort of thing has to stop.tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-33082524189900379802012-12-14T02:49:58.994-06:002012-12-14T02:49:58.994-06:00Tom, one can only hope that your review will make ...Tom, one can only hope that your review will make a difference when the next 'newly revised and updated' edition is released. BTW, 'The Wine Bible' is another very popular wine book that needs to "correct" facts about and views on Italian wines - desperately.James Kochhttp://www.conceptwine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-77150581444316828822012-12-07T17:17:05.952-06:002012-12-07T17:17:05.952-06:00Michele: Thanks for the comment.
Yes, history is...Michele: Thanks for the comment. <br /><br />Yes, history is certainly on the side of Calabria and every other Italian wine region, isn't it?<br /><br />Something to think about and, as you wrote, another side of the coin.tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-11261346272774388802012-12-07T15:32:36.316-06:002012-12-07T15:32:36.316-06:00Of course Calabria is listed as an example of the ...Of course Calabria is listed as an example of the most obscure wines... *sob* #truthhurts Gaglioppo was being served at the Olympics about 3000 years ago, when Napa wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eye! <br /><br />I digress... while I totally agree with your analysis, as a graduate of the AIS program in Italy I had to laugh. We spent one class on every region of Italy during our third level studies, had one class on France and ONE class on "the rest of the world" which encompassed all of North and South America, Australia, New Zealand... the other side of the coin I guess!<br /><br />-Michele Connors <br />@Michconnors<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-9280713973149590002012-12-06T15:31:36.864-06:002012-12-06T15:31:36.864-06:00Kerin: He literally lists the word Taurasi once in...Kerin: He literally lists the word Taurasi once in the book, under the category of Best Wines of Campania. <br /><br />We agree on this, as Taurasi is one of the premier Italian red wines, so why nothing on this wine? <br /><br />But at least he mentioned it. As far as red wines from Puglia such as Salice Salentino and Nero di Troia, there's nothing in the book. In fact, the word Puglia is not even mentioned once in the book. Zraly does write that he doesn't have room to write about every region, so I can't criticize him too much for this omission, but he certainly dropped the ball regarding Taurasi. tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-82930564070794093332012-12-06T10:25:32.687-06:002012-12-06T10:25:32.687-06:00Tom,
Based on what you wrote in the post, I was p...Tom,<br /><br />Based on what you wrote in the post, I was pretty sure Zraly had neglected Taurasi, but am still saddened to hear this confirmed. Once again, he has made a huge oversight. Taurasi is one of the true gems of Italian wine. How could he have not even mentioned it when writing on the country's wines?<br /><br /><br /><br />Kerin O'Keefenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-66168276537729585862012-12-06T09:23:25.753-06:002012-12-06T09:23:25.753-06:00Kerin:
Thank you very much for your insightful co...Kerin:<br /><br />Thank you very much for your insightful comment. As you are a successful author of several books about Italian wines, your thoughts are valuable.<br /><br /><br />You make an excellent point about the US market being much more that a place where consumers purchase low end Italian whites and reds. As you said, the US is indeed the largest market for Brunello and Barolo. Kevin either has no awareness of this or chooses to ignore it.<br /><br />I didn't even mention all the mistakes in his section on Italian wines, such as omitting Taurasi from a list of DOCG wines. Clearly he does not stay current on Italian wines, so as you wrote, maybe he shouldn't write about them at all.tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-77990987135117687262012-12-06T08:52:05.055-06:002012-12-06T08:52:05.055-06:00Tom,
Great post and I understand your outrage. It...Tom,<br /><br />Great post and I understand your outrage. It is unacceptable that one of the most respected wine 'educators' in the US is so shockingly misinformed and behind the times when it comes to Italian wines. That he is able to squeeze all of Italy into a single chapter, and ignore Italy's whites and the great strides in quality in Soave, Friuli and Alto Adige is an insult to the Italian wine industry and to the many fans of Italian wines in the US. What decade is this guy living in? Is Zraly even aware that not only does the US import more wine from Italy than from any other country, but that for the last few years, the value of Italian wine imported into the US has increased substantially? This means that consumers aren't just buying low-end Pinot Grigio, but also mid-priced and high end Italian wines. In fact, the US is the biggest market for Barolo and Brunello, importing millions of bottles of these wines annually. <br /><br />Given his obvious disregard for quality Italian wine, together with the misinformation you found in his book, it would probably be best if Zraly avoids writing on the subject altogether in my opinion.Kerinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-57948756222581283992012-12-06T08:15:56.416-06:002012-12-06T08:15:56.416-06:00Alder:
Thanks for your comment. It is clearly ti...Alder: <br /><br />Thanks for your comment. It is clearly time for Mr. Zraly to get in tune with what's going on with the Italian wine industry.tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-61240370682510738032012-12-05T22:24:55.784-06:002012-12-05T22:24:55.784-06:00Your outrage is well warranted, Tom. I'm frank...Your outrage is well warranted, Tom. I'm frankly flabbergasted at the excerpts and omissions you mention.Alder Yarrowhttp://www.vinography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-50455496397828080292012-12-05T16:53:12.523-06:002012-12-05T16:53:12.523-06:00Robin:
Thanks!
Hope you're well.
TomRobin:<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Hope you're well.<br /><br /><br />Tomtom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-62925625350991554162012-12-05T15:22:21.436-06:002012-12-05T15:22:21.436-06:00Nice work, Tom!Nice work, Tom!Robbin Gheeslinghttp://www.vineyardadventures.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-53481598464228802132012-12-05T13:22:52.520-06:002012-12-05T13:22:52.520-06:00Geoffo:
I hear you. Interesting insight from you ...Geoffo:<br /><br />I hear you. Interesting insight from you about UK writers as well. <br /><br />I'm calm now!tom hylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059595835440742055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4840230708436051577.post-79505176396257018342012-12-05T12:42:04.730-06:002012-12-05T12:42:04.730-06:00Hi Tom. Calm yourself! Just so you know, I find si...Hi Tom. Calm yourself! Just so you know, I find similar ignorance from UK-based, published wine writers about Italian wines, including famous international names. It gives us room to work, at least. Keep at it!geoffohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583881087181318030noreply@blogger.com