Leap Year Wines

5 ways to make the most of your extra day!

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Leap Year Wines You have an extra day, what will you celebrate with?

I've given his some thought. My first idea was to recommend all Extra Dry and Extra Brut sparkling wines. Somewhat confusingly, Extra Brut is really dry Champagne while Extra Dry is less dry Champagne. Sweet Louis! We only have a single day to talk about this, and it comes every four years, so let’s scrap that idea!

Instead, consider this: when you're shopping for wine from a certain country, is there one specific wine you're missing? One extra wine that can round out your impression of that country? You bet your sweet bippy there is. So check this out, the extra wines you shouldn't miss when exploring!

Photo courtesy lowjumpingfrog via Flickr/CC

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146867
146867 maffe

146867 43

Nice to hear that you recommend exploring Marcillac and Gaillac wines. I'd even go so far as to say that if you're not an expert, stay away from Bordeaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône. You find better values and better wines for the American palate in Bergerac, Madiran, Faugères, St-Chinian, Fitou, Corbières, or VdP from Côtes de Thongue or the new Pézenas appellation.

Feb 29, 2012 at 4:23 PM
89065

89065 Gregory-
Dal Piaz

Hand of Snooth Voice of Snooth

89065 23,621

An interesting observation. Thanks for sharing. I love Fer, and do see the wines as being very easy to like, but I think people will continue to gravitate towards Chateauneuf and the like!

Mar 04, 2012 at 10:31 AM
146867
146867 maffe

146867 43

Gregory, I'm sure you're right ... most people will keep knowing only the already famous names. But I'm glad every time influential guys like you write about lesser known appellations or regions that are worth discovering. I'm sure a few people will get intrigued and want to learn more.
The problem with Languedoc and the South-West is of course the immense diversity, which makes these regions difficult to get a grip on, even when living here. Different soils, different grape varieties, different micro-climates, old family wineries and young, hungry, creative winemakers. But that also makes the wine scene very exciting here.

Mar 04, 2012 at 5:09 PM