Why You Should Vary Geography

Where is your favorite Chardonnay from? How about Cabernet? Sauvignon Blanc? Pinot Noir? How do you know? What makes it your favorite? Have you ever tried that grape from somewhere else?

Probably more than anything else, wines have a character emanating from their place. Sometimes, that place is broad, for example, Western Cape of South Africa and its alluvial fan or the high desert of Chile in the foothills of the Andes. Other times, that place is much smaller like the little hill in the northern Rhone called Hermitage, or Jura bordered by Switzerland to the east and Burgundy to the west.

In either case, the wines of an area tend to take on a very distinctive character. A wine expert can descrivbe it for you. Sancerre, for example, is known for its chalky limestone-based soil that gives the Sauvignon Blanc of the area wonderful minerality. But, if the only Sauvignon Blanc you try is from New Zealand, you will never know. Cabernet Franc is usually a blending grape in so-called Bordeaux blends, but the single varietal wines of Villanyi in the warmer climates of Hungary is so very expressive. While not well known, it might be the best place in the world to grow Cabernet Franc.

The message here is a fairly simple one, though. You'll never know if you don't try. But, once you try, you'll have a far better understand and idea of what you like.

However, there is so much to know. You could be like me and just remember everything you drink. Or, you could take the smarter way out and make notes.

Notes are good. Keep a little journal and put it on a computer so that you can sort it or index it. Know why you loved Riesling from Alsace, but didn't like Zinfandel from Northern Arizona. Then, when you find a place that is similar and by similar, we mean similar climate, similar soil, similar exposure, similar as much as possible, you'll know better going in whether this is a wine you want to try.