Forget about scores.  They’re not the problem

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From Wine Spectator’s Matt Kramer: 

Authenticity is the transformative force right now.  The best wines made today — the most persuasive wines — come from the regions, the zones and, above all, the producers and consumers where the demand for authenticity is strongest. 

Conversely, many of today’s shallowest, most facile wines are created by winegrowers — and sometimes celebrated by wine critics — who dismiss, disregard or are even contemptuous of authenticity. 

Those who refuse to acknowledge authenticity — either as producers, critics or consumers — are certainly numerous.  But look around:  Are they convincing anyone?  Growers who use reverse osmosis and spinning cones to deconstruct and reconstruct their wines are furtive, not evangelical, while those who pursue authenticity are winning the proverbial hearts and minds and, not least, palates. 

Today’s transformation of fine wine is rooted in authenticity.  Because without a belief in, and an adherence to, authenticity, why bother? 

Read the whole thing. 

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One of the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competitions, the International Wine Challenge (IWC), unveiled the results of the 2010 Trophy and Great Value Wine Awards at the Lords Nursery Pavilion this summer.  Over 100 wines were awarded this year, along with 14 Great Value Wines judged for their style, availability and price.

World-class Italian wines included:

Champion Red Wine:  Castello Romitoro, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG, Riserva, 2004

Great Value Champion, Sparkling:  Medici Ermete, Lambrusco Reggiano DOC, Concerto, 2009

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Local trophies included:

Amarone Trophy:  Cantine Riondo, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Trionfo, 2006

Edmund Penning Rowsell Trophy, Bolgheri Trophy:  Grattamacco, Bolgheri Superiore DOC, L’Alberello, 2007

Italian Botrytis Trophy:  Moncaro Terre Cortesi, Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi DOC, Tordiruta, 2006

Italian Red Trophy:  Castello Romitoro, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG, Riserva, 2004

Italian Sweet Trophy:  Cavit, Vino Santo Trentino DOC, Aréle, 1998

Lambrusco Trophy:  Albinea Canali (Cantine Riunite & Civ), Lambrusco Emilia IGT, Ottocentonero, NV

Marche Red Trophy:  Vico Vicari, Lacrima di Morro D’Alba DOC, Lacrima Del Pozzo Buono, 2008

Soave Trophy:  Pieropan, Soave Classico DOC, La Rocca, 2007

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