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We are witnessing today, at the start of this third millennium, a conflict of ideas and marketing trying to set the traditional wines of Bordeaux against the wines of the New World. Why set one against the other? Why not be glad of the different and complementary styles and recognizing the qualities of each? Why are we only looking today for uniformity of style ? It is true that single grape-variety wines, such as Merlot, Sauvignon, etc., can be of help to the consumer as they enable new wine drinkers to make useful discoveries. It is a first step which can lead the new wine lover to try wines of greater complexity, blended wines, wines of different styles. Today we are seeing new world wines conquering the markets. They are simple, well made and the prices are within the reach of the man in the street. On account of these wines men are taking an interest in "Food and Wine" and no longer in "Food and Soft Drinks". And that's good ! In France, and particularly in the Médoc, the wines come from specific terroirs and long established vineyards and are the result of subtle blending. They combine powerful tannins with great finesse and complexity with length in the mouth. Their aging potential is remarkable. They are not only wines "the drink" but also wines of connoisseurs and of wine lovers. What is comforting is that many young students are becoming as passionate about these wines of great quality as their elders. Many of them have created clubs for wine lovers. They taste wines from all the regions of France and increase their knowledge. In France there is "In Vino Veritas" the club of Science Po Paris, "Grand Cru" the Club of HEC (a prestigious Economics school) and those of Sup de CO (another top French Economics School); in Oxford the Club of Christ Church College and in London that of London School of Economics. They are all dynamic clubs. I have been several times to these various clubs to present vertical tastings of Pichon, la Réserve de la Comtesse and Bernadotte. In this third millennium, open to globalisation, it is indeed fortunate that a taste is being developed for quality as well as a taste for these links of friendship between professionals of the Old and New Worlds and between producers and wine lovers. May de Lencquesaing |
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