Three cheers for Oz Clarke, Britain’s most popular wine writer, who pulls no punches in relation to wines that are simply too strong for their own good in his latest Pocket Wine Book 2008.
He describes as ‘dead fruit’ the tendency, taken to absurd lengths, for winemaking gurus to push ‘hang time’ - the amount of time that perfectly ripe fruit continues to sit on the vine when it should have
been picked.
And he adjures producers to “… show me your basic wine, not your smarty-pants Icons and Reserve Selections”.
Oz Clarke is clear: “I don’t want to taste the amount of complicated technique and financial investment that has gone into the wine”
And there’s one final clarity: “Appetising bitterness is a crucial part of red wine’s appeal; acidity is crucial in wines of every colour for the way it refreshes your palate and improves your appreciation of food”.
This completely revised and updated edition for 2008 is the perfect book to have on hand when your customers are in your shop mooching out for the best buys in wine this Christmas.
It contains over 7,500 wines, grape varieties, wine regions and producers within its covers - and it’s one I’ll certainly be keeping in the jaloppy alongside my NOffLA Guide to the Gold Star Award-Winning Wines of 2007.
October 24, 2007
October 25, 2007 at 9:11 am
Couldn’t agree with Oz more - can’t hack high alcohol wines any more and finding wines under 13% is increasingly difficult. Even the French are being pulled into the trap. Rioja, an old standby, is getting higher all the time. Some of the Bordeaux Superieurs keep around 12.5% while still providing the goods. Unfortunately the Aussies seem to dictate fashion or is it changing?
June 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm
How do I get in touch with Ozzie Clark…
thank you Matricia.