Vintages on a Wine List: Do You Care?
Had lunch at The Falls last week and took a good hard look at their wine list. Al Spoler, host of WYPR’s Cellar Notes has put together a nicely pruned, very diverse list of styles from around the world all in the $20-$30 neighborhood. Bonus points were earned when I saw that all selections are available by the glass. Bunch of red, bunch of whites, some sparklers, everything you need is there.
Except vintages.
I used to think it was low-class to leave the vintages off of a wine list. Nothing smacks of TGI Fridays more than a wine list featuring nameless, vintage-less Merlot or Cabernet. Wines deserve years before their names. It’s what makes wine different from Budweiser. Last year’s Budweiser tastes pretty much like this year’s Budweiser (ask me how I know). The 2007 Sauvignon Black, however, could be a different animal from the 2008.
But, really, who cares? If you’re ordering a $7 glass or a $29 bottle of some wine from somewhere, does the vintage on the end really make a difference? Am I just being a persnickety wino?
May 19th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
The chances that I know a 2007 from a 2008 in any wine are so slim that the vintage doesn’t make any difference to me. But I just like a glass of wine now and then, I’m not a real wine guy.
For me, a tasting note written by another “not a real wine guy” would probably be more helpful in choosing than the vintage.