03/12/07 Email Questions

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. A listener wrote to comment and ask a question about my program on American Viticultural Areas. He writes "You stated something to the effect that AVA's are identifying a unique location or place where wine is grown, not a quality rating of the wines that come from the place. If that isn't the point, then why does it seem those wines cost so much more than others?" What a great question. It is true the wines from some AVA's do cost more than others and it is probably part great marketing by those with a vested interest in the area along with the attraction of the fruit by winemakers. All of which can drive the price of the grapes way above the same types of grapes from another area. Are the grapes so very unique or are the winemakers producing the wine just really good. At some point could the winemaking trump the terroir which is what the AVA is recognizing? Maybe the promotion of the AVA is what gets consumers all hyped up about it. The AVA recognition and subsequent marketing is probably confusing the consumers into believing it is a recognition of quality rather than of difference. I am interested in the variety of places where grapes are grown and the differences in the resulting wines. And there are times when the hype gets to be a bit tiring I know  but you have the choice - you can buy wine based upon its merit and your attraction to it rather than the grape's pedigree. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.