From: mikec@scripps.edu (Mike A Christensen)
Newsgroups: rec.food.drink
Subject: Re: Burgundy recommendation
Date: 5 Nov 92 19:19:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: riscsm.1992Nov5.191903.1817
Organization: The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA

In article <1d96pqINNqau@agate.berkeley.edu> spp@zabriskie.berkeley.edu (Steve Pope) writes:
>Viewed in comparison with other regions and varieties, Burgundy
>has a quality/price ratio[n] that's a little on the low side (IMO).

For Pinot Noir, I've come across a higher percentage of poor examples in
California and Oregon than I have in Burgundy.  However, California and Oregon
are "easier" because there are only a limited number of producers who make a
limited number of wines (typically one or two).  I would guess that there are
only a handful of producers in California that (currently) surpass the quality
of the 1988 Latour Santenay, and those are (almost) all in the $20-$40 range
anyway.  California and Oregon have yet to produce anything remotely close to
a well-made Musigny or Chambertin, and if and when they do, they will probably
charge $100+ a bottle also.

>Relative to other French wines, an importer really needs good
>connections to do well with Burgundy so that part is a fair
>statment.

Certainly part of the equation.  The best importers will also taste the wines
before committing to importing them, so they need experienced people on the
ground in Burgundy.  I know Robert Haas does this, I thought Kermit Lynch did
this, I'm sure there are others who do this also.

>The problem though with "trusted wine merchants"
>is that their game plan is eventually to take advantage of
>the fact that they've lulled their customers into thinking
>that they and only they are a "trusted" source....

Perhaps a few have this as their "game plan", though I doubt that they really
do it consciously.  My experience is that merchants end up getting "burned-out"
or get into financial trouble and start making decisions based upon short-term
return rather than building customer trust.  The tip-off of this is when their
stocks start getting skimpy.  The other problem is that a well established
merchant will sell out to people who only want to sell white zinfandel, and
they will do or say anything to move "that expensive stuff".

>I have had mixed experience with the alleged "trusted wine merchants"
>in my area, such as Kermit Lynch in Berkeley ...
>-- overall an excellent retailer, but...
>I'd probably trust a recommendation from a random usenetter before
>trusting theirs!

Gee, you'd trust me over Kermit Lynch?  Quite a compliment...

>Mike, if you know of a Burgundy merchants / wholesalers /
>importers you truly trust, do us netters a favor and
>identify them!

The wine merchant I use almost exclusively for Burgundies here in San Diego is
Vintage Wines, (619) 549-2112.  Incredible selection of Red and White
Burgundies, very good prices (typically competitive with the discounters and
even the super-discounters).  They have a quarterly newsletter, frequent
tastings, a wine bar, and will ship.  The propietors are quite passionate about
Burgundy, and in their words: "We carry it because we like it, not because we
make money on it".  Another shop here in San Diego I use less frequently is
The WineSellar and Brasserie, (619) 450-9557, good prices, monthly newsletter,
frequent tastings, a wine bar and will ship.  Also one of the best restaurants
in San Diego.

I would think that there is more than one equivalent merchant in the Berkeley/
Oakland/SF area, and I would recommend seeking them out.  Actually, I would
appreciate recommendations for wine shops in SF, since I will be there later
this month.