Chip, first off. I hope we aren't taking your thread too far afield.
Scott, you make a couple of valid observations. Yes, when it comes to taste whether it’s in wine, art, literature, cinema, or anything of that sort, “good” is subjective. There are, it seems to me, merits in observing and judging something within the limited scope of the questions: “What is it supposed to be?” “What is the benchmark?”
I think that wine producers, and growers too to some extent, have for centuries priced their products at what the market will bear and will often place a high premium on their wines only because another is getting more. It’s the “Mine’s as good as his/hers”-syndrome. It’s not altogether reasonable or objective.
It’s true that premium French oak barrels have increased enormously in price over the past twenty years. That which we purchased in 1978 for $250-$350 is now in the $1500 range. It’s also true that the prices of corks, bottles, and other associated materials have increased too. So, a $10/bottle pinot noir in 1982 would now be $50 if we use only the cost-basis analysis.
As far as the price/value of wines from other states, I agree there too. In fact, it’s a bit like things were in the ‘60s and ‘70s when California wines were advertising the fact that they were “as good as the wines from [read whatever traditional country you want] but were not as costly”.
About ten years ago a friend asked me to suggest a sparkling wine to be used for a wedding reception in New York. The request came from someone who didn’t want to spend a lot but wanted something that would be considered “good”. [There’s that word again.]
Thinking about the price/value aspect I recommended a relatively unknown sparkling brut from New Mexico. Yep. New Mexico! The friend was skeptical. I told him to trust me. I was convinced that he, as well as the wedding guests would be blown away. The brut from NM cost about a fourth of a medium-priced French Champagne and maybe half of a premium CA equal. The wine was a total success at the reception and my friend told me that everyone thought they were drinking one of France’s finest.
Yep. It’s all in the perception.
I don’t think you’re alone in your assessment. I certainly don’t drink fifty-dollar-a-bottle wine every night. Even if I could afford it, I don’t believe my Scottish ancestry would permit me to do so. Nevertheless, I do like having a few cases of fine wines in our cellar, so that when the opportunity arises….
Tonight, we’re having baked wild salmon with toasted almonds, Basmati rice, chayote, and steamed kale. Hmmmm, think I’ll amuse myself with a naïve domestic pinot gris for which I didn’t have to take out a second mortgage.
Mike, I like Domaine Drouhin too. I've been a fan of the French Drouhins as well.
Allen R