December
2007
Wine or Juice ???
A NPR morning show was talking about wineries in the 50 sates of the US. Really? Even in Alaska or North Dakota ? Well as I am listening, I am finding out that the word “Wine” is getting used for every low alcoholic fruits beverage you can find. Blueberries, pineapples, plums, …
Now the question is: Can we use the word “wine” for any type flavored low alcoholic beverage ?
Well, I am totaly against it. People who are calling themselves Wine Makers and are just actually adding alcohol to an apple juice should not have the right to call it Wine. Call it with a different name!!!
The abuse is getting more and more ridiculous. Real “grapes” winemakers should petition and request that the word “wine” be used only with Grapes. It is time to separate Napkins from Cloth! It was possible to differenciate the branding of Champagne made in the Champagne region in France from every others sparkling wines on earth. Napa Wine Appelation got the name protection from the name abuse from wineries in Europe. Why not do it with the word “wine” used only with Grapes?
For the rest: just call it ALCOHOLIC JUICE.
I wholeheartedly agree. When driving through Vermont we frequently passed the “North River Winery”. It turned out they were fermenting apples. Didn’t that used to be called Hard Cider?
Bt definition on nurtibase.com wine is defined as “An alcoholic beverage produced through the fermentation of grape juice. Other fruit and vegetable juices, such as dandelion and elderberry are also occasionally used in winemaking, an art the goes back at least 12,000 years.” having found this however, I believe that wine not made with grapes may be an apertif or cordial or liquer’ but not wine.
And remember - “in Vino Veritas”
I enjoy wine frequently; especially with a new group of friends. The obvious definition of wine is the fermentation of grape juice; however, the full definition includes other fruits and vegetables. So my questions is: who does a plum or apple “wine” really hurt? Wine is already on a high pedistal as compared to other alcoholic beverages. The vintners have done a great job protecting themselves and their industry; they don’t need to control the word “wine” to save their reputation. A little humility could do them some good and likely open the doors to a lot more wine drinkers. Now I’m going to go home and enjoy a 2005 vintage Barley Wine. Cheers!
Can’t we have one thing that’s not bastardized for profit? We’ve seen Pizza relegated to cardboard with ketchup and fake cheese. The venerable Martini has become the ultimate girlie drink. Beer has gone from a highly flavorful artisan beverage to watered down… All in the name of commerce.
I think that the wine industry should fight. In the words of Marie Antoinette “Let them drink dandelion wine”.
I do agree with MoJo to some degree. Many of our foods and beverages have been bastardized; it absolutely pains me when I see a “martini list” filled with little fruity cocktails. However, I still agree with my last posting - Webster made up his mind long ago.