Lists and recommendations on which wines to buy exist plentifully, often with a hidden sales agenda.

But what wines should you stay clear of? Which wines demonstrate either bad taste, or no sense for relative value? More innocently, a good overview of the world of wine is hard to come by, so many of us stick with wines we are familiar with, for better or for worse.  

It is often not the consumer's fault that private inventory is full with wine that has more compelling alternatives on the market.

Here's a list of some the worst selections:

1. Pinot Grigio from anywhere in Italy
Alternative: try Alsace Pinot Gris instead. Worlds apart.

2. White Zinfandel from California
That's sweet flabby rosé leftover from the stone age of American wine exploration. Rosé is best from France.

3. Chianti, Tuscany
Not to be confused with Chianti Classico, the far better choice from the appellation next door.

4. Pinotage from South Africa
Burned rubber and rusty nails are interesting flavors, but don't hold your attention for long.

5. Pinot Noir from Chile 
Pinot growing in the wrong terroir can be devastating. New Zealand is more reliable.

6. Red Wine from Germany
Too cold! Just buy all of their Riesling, it's the best.

7. Dry Wines from Portugal
Yes, you may find a random winner. In most cases, you won't :) Stay with Port for now.


Obviously some readers may not agree. Sufficient exposure usually, but not always, settles that matter. 

Write me if you want to add wines to the list, though. We will publish a larger list with your suggestions in one of the next newsletters.  


 

Says wine writer and educator Dwight Furrow after witnessing another shocking episode of journalistic incompetence:

"One of the big debates in the wine world is over the virtues of ripe, alcoholic fruit bombs vs. subtle, restrained wines with lower alcohol. The general public seems to like the fruit bombs, based on what they purchase, much to the consternation of somms and wine experts who prefer wines with finesse.
 

This week the wine press is all atwitter with results of a study purporting to show that people prefer low-alcohol wines...."

Read the full article to find out how basic logic once again escaped the study's authors. 

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