Saturday, July 31, 2010
WINE QUESTIONS
Sunday, February 7, 2010
With more than 5000 grape varieties, is knowing wine an impossible task?
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Wine article #19, Medellín, Colombia
The huge amount of existing grapes, plus the usual and numerous blends, make the learning about wines and the differences between those grapes, something close to impossible.
Is it possible? Wine Master Victor Orozco answers:
Orozco is a Wine Master with more than 30 years as a Sommelier in the United States. He is an honorary member of the 2 most important wine associations in the world: The Commanderie de Bordeaux and La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, in Burgundy, France.
- There are some 5.000 grape varieties, but only around 150 are grown in commercial amounts, and less than ten are considered classic varieties. In many countries around the world the offer of wines is limited to a half dozen of white varieties and no more than fifteen reds. As far as blends, the majority are a combination of those grapes mentioned above, with the exception of some Italian or Spanish wines which are elaborated with wide variety of native varietals.
If all of the above is true, you just need to study and taste a very reasonable amount of wines to reach a good level of knowledge. Start with your favorites and, always taste at least two wines side by side. The best teacher is undoubtedly wine. You’ll soon notice that wine will do the talking and you just keep translating.
All I can say is that with dedication and enthusiasm, and putting in the right order your acquired knowledge you’ll be able to appreciate wine more everyday.
Published by El Colombiano newspaper from Medellin, Colombia
With more than 5000 grape varieties, is knowing wine an impossible task?
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Wine article #19, Medellín, Colombia
The huge amount of existing grapes, plus the usual and numerous blends, make the learning about wines and the differences between those grapes, something close to impossible.
Is it possible? Wine Master Victor Orozco answers:
Orozco is a Wine Master with more than 30 years as a Sommelier in the United States. He is an honorary member of the 2 most important wine associations in the world: The Commanderie de Bordeaux and La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, in Burgundy, France.
- There are some 5.000 grape varieties, but only around 150 are grown in commercial amounts, and less than ten are considered classic varieties. In many countries around the world the offer of wines is limited to a half dozen of white varieties and no more than fifteen reds. As far as blends, the majority are a combination of those grapes mentioned above, with the exception of some Italian or Spanish wines which are elaborated with wide variety of native varietals.
If all of the above is true, you just need to study and taste a very reasonable amount of wines to reach a good level of knowledge. Start with your favorites and, always taste at least two wines side by side. The best teacher is undoubtedly wine. You’ll soon notice that wine will do the talking and you just keep translating.
All I can say is that with dedication and enthusiasm, and putting in the right order your acquired knowledge you’ll be able to appreciate wine more everyday.
Published by El Colombiano newspaper from Medellin, Colombia
Friday, July 30, 2010
MY VISION ON WINE
I have a strong interest in the expansion of the wine culture and I'm convinced that the wine culture is undergoing changes that affect the prestige of this drink and will eventually affect its production worldwide.
I am afraid that wine culture is in decline and hope to return it to the level it deserves through educating, not only the producer or distributor, but specially the final consumer, who should turn into a wine lover.
The actual and so called "globalization of wine" could cause that wine loses what makes it unique and fascinating, affecting the character and style that is so specific to particular "terroirs" and a natural vinification process.
My long experience with wine tells me that all of this can only be changed through education to generate interest and adepts, making possible a consistent increase in the number of educated consumers.
I am afraid that wine culture is in decline and hope to return it to the level it deserves through educating, not only the producer or distributor, but specially the final consumer, who should turn into a wine lover.
The actual and so called "globalization of wine" could cause that wine loses what makes it unique and fascinating, affecting the character and style that is so specific to particular "terroirs" and a natural vinification process.
My long experience with wine tells me that all of this can only be changed through education to generate interest and adepts, making possible a consistent increase in the number of educated consumers.
BACK IN THE UNITED STATES
After spending five years in my country of origin, Colombia, studying, teaching, writing and working as a wine consultant, I come back to this country where I started in the wine business more than 30 years ago.
I'm very excited about being able to share with the American wine lovers my new acquired knowledge on South American wines and my teaching experiences, all of which gives me a wider vision about this complex and sophisticated beverage.
My passage through Colombia just made me reaffirm, more than ever before, that "WINE IS LIFE AT ITS BEST".
I'm very excited about being able to share with the American wine lovers my new acquired knowledge on South American wines and my teaching experiences, all of which gives me a wider vision about this complex and sophisticated beverage.
My passage through Colombia just made me reaffirm, more than ever before, that "WINE IS LIFE AT ITS BEST".
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