Here's wishing you a Happy New Year, a bit belatedly. After all the hoopla a year ago, isn't it ironic that the new millennium didn't actually begin until 11 days ago?
Names and numbers can play games with us and the wine world provides numerous cases in point. Winery names are worth no more than the significance that consistent quality invests in them. Even then, each vintage varies. Was 19-whatever a good year? Here yes, there no. What's a good year in parts of Bordeaux may not be an equally good year in Burgundy nor indeed in other parts of Bordeaux.
It's confusing to say the least, and labels don't always impart all the necessary information. For the moment, let's do what everyone does before a new season begins: return to fundamentals. Briefly, let's consider a few guidelines that will help you explore the wine world and drink wine more intelligently in the new millenium.