Look out 2012, America’s Drunkenly Stumbling Your Way

A report commissioned by Vinexpo’s ruling body has suggested that by the year 2012, the United States will have surpassed Italy in wine consumption by volume, making it the world’s leader.1 Additionally, China and Russia, a couple of wine noobs, will soon overtake the venerable wine-drinking nation of Spain.  This development is not unexpected.  All three of these nations have been steadily climbing the ladder of wine consumption for some time.  Assuming these numbers hold true, Russia alone will have doubled its level of consumption from as little as four years ago.2 The overall effect of this news reminds me of the improbable rise of the Tampa Bay Rays to baseball’s biggest stage this last summer: it’s as though the residents of the kid’s table have finally decided to join their elders for dinner.

The study, which is done annually by the French convention giant, also predicted that wine consumption and sales will be protected, in large part, from the effects of the global economic downturn of the last twelve months.  Apparently, not having enough money in one’s pocket is not a compelling enough reason to quit drinking.  The resultant three year forecast then, is this; wine consumption will continue to flourish as it always has, but the people consuming said wine are going to look more radically different than ever.  This is bound to have a profound effect on wine production, but that is a topic I’ll take up at a later date.

And so I invite you to raise your glasses, America, (or your Carlo Rossi filled Solo cups, Allston).  You’re well on your way to world wine domination.  Take care that you keep your eyes on the prize; the italians are not going to go quietly.  I did my part by drinking a bottle while writing this, but did you do yours?

J.

Tags: America, American wine, Italian wine, Italy
Category: The Wine Blog | Comments (0)

Girl on Dolcetto

Dolcetto D’Alba Vignalunga (2003)

I wish I could tell you that this wine had hints of horse fly, strudel, or perhaps the leather purse I brought to a Shaggy concert in 1995 and that I can’t hear “Boombastic” without desperately wanting a sip. But I would be a liar. All I can say is that I enjoyed a glass with friends in Vermont this weekend and that within approximately 30 minutes of consumption I was demonstrating the distinct leg-lift and controlled slow adductor move founded and exhibited by Jane Fonda.

This Dolcetto d’alba, is strong, lean, and has curves in all the right places… That’s right, not only do the grapes grow in Barbaresco Italy, a name distinctly similar to Fonda’s 1968 erotic sci-fi film Barbarella (stay with me here), but it also embodies a similar form to Jane circa 1982. It is light yet powerful and you bet it could do 75 pushups – girl style. If I had a shiny blue lycra leotard (with a belt), I would wear it when I drank this wine.

If bad 80s exercise moves aren’t what you are looking for in a wine, this 2003 Vignalunga also produces a delightful smell that made me want to continually stick my nose in the glass. A tasty winter stew would be a wonderful cohort. I plan on enjoying it with this osso bucco recipe in the next few weeks:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/osso-buco-recipe/index.html.

Dolcetto, one of the major wines from the southwest or “Alba” region of the Piedmonte has less acid than its buddy the Barbera, but more tannins and spice. I found that after I opened the bottle for 15 minutes it was ready to work - from Nine to Five. (get it? - ed.)

I give it 7 1/2 legwarmers out of 10, which is not so shabby for $14.99.

Tags: Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Italian, Italy, Red Wine, Sarah Osteen
Category: Girl on Grape | Comments (0)