[Craig Camp] New World vs. Old World Wines: Is There Really a Difference?

[karen]

Hi Craig!  Nice to meet you and welcome to the forum. Your comments on this subject makes complete sense, thanks. I hadn't thought about how Europeans consume wine differently than American consumers, and how Europeans really tie wine with their food and culture. I'll have to think about that the next time I drink a new world wine and an old world wine!

You mentioned brett.  It sounds like there is bad brett and good brett, and when it is bad, does it produce that smell that everyone refers to as having a barnyard characteristic?  I think I've smelled it before but I don't know for sure. Once I was at a tasting room and I thought I could smell it but was afraid to ask because I assumed it was a flaw and the winery would be insulted if I asked?

There is no such thing as good and bad brett. If you can detect it there is too much. Once you learn the smell, like TCA, it becomes unbearable. I think those that say they like brett are making excuses for wines they spent a lot of money on. For me a small amount, again like TCA, overwhelms the character of the wine.

Good to know!  Thanks Craig.

[VinRaptor]

  Welcome aboard, Craig; grab a glass, pull up a chair, and join in the fun! I feel a bit of a connection with you already, since I, too, lived in Italy for a while - w-a-a-y back in the Sixties, around the time of The Great Oxblood Scandals. I was in the Gaeta/Formia area (in Lazio), and took off for Tuscany and Piedmont at every opportunity. Ever sail Como?...Che bella paese, non c'e? And as to brett - well, sometimes a touch of fallibility enables one to enjoyably hark back to earlier vintages. I would find a wine world devoid of nostalgic triggers to be - however forward-looking - a somewhat sterile environment. While I'm aware of the production techniques and chemical risks of winemaking, I would find technically "perfect" wines comparable to digital as opposed to film, paper and chemicals photography: dazzling image quality, but seriously lacking in "soul," or real emotional impact. Sometimes the old ways are indeed better. I look forward to your participation. Be Well; Carpe Vinum!

I lived just a half hour from Como, but was closer to Lago Maggiore.

I agree "perfect" can be a sterile thing.

  Maggiore - anche bella! Veramente! In quale citta? E quando? Sta Bene; Carpe Vinum!

[Craig Camp]

...nell Varano Borghi, vicino Varese tra 2003 a 2005.

[Craig Camp]

Thanks all for the privilege of joining in!

[eyedoc47]

Guys,
This Vino Exchange was thought provoking, interesting, and informative. Craig was generous in giving us his time and expertise. It is wonderful to be able to converse with people who are at the forefront of oenology. It is also great to converse with all of you. Let's keep it up.
                                         L'Chaim,
                                                   Eyedoc

[VinRaptor]

Thanks all for the privilege of joining in!

  We are honored and delighted to have had you aboard, and we thank you for your valuable insights and generous contributions to our collective knowledge. Be Well; Carpe Vinum!

[karen]

Yes, thanks Craig!  I absolutely enjoyed the conversation.

[zinguy]

I have to say this was a really good discussion and I am looking forward to follow on discussions. Thank you members & thanks for your time Craig.