A PLETHORA OF VALUES

by Dustin Soiseth

You may know that a group of owls is called a parliament, but did you know that a group of apes is called a shrewdness? Then there’s a thunder of hippopotami, and a richness of martens—clever, amusing names that reference the animals’ characteristics. So what do you call a collection of delicious, well-made wines that offer serious bang for your buck?

THE DEEP SOUTHWEST

by Anthony Lynch

An amalgamation of many disparate wine regions under a single umbrella term, France’s “Southwest” covers a massive amount of ground. Its immensely varied terrain encompasses a wealth of climates and soil types, including terroirs geographically and geologically related to the Bordelais, appellations more similar to those of the Languedoc, and completely unique grape-growing pockets tucked in the foothills of the Pyrenees, near the Spanish border. Factor in the remarkable collection of native grapes specific to these parts, and it is even more apparent how much less homogeneous—and more mysterious—the Southwest is than, say, Burgundy or Bordeaux. This diversity makes it an especially exciting place to look for wines that offer incomparable regional character as well as excellent value. While Southwestern appellations lie at the intersection of Atlantic and Mediterranean climate zones, the most meridional areas are under the influence of a third, all-commanding geographical feature: the Pyrenees. The hilly landscape in the shadow of these mighty peaks is remarkably green—the relatively cool temperatures and healthy rainfall are counterintuitive considering these are among mainland France’s southernmost vineyards. These are not big, ripe, southern bruisers; rather, their vibrant balance recalls that of Loire wines more than those from the nearby Mediterranean rim.

FAMILIAL BURGUNDY 2019

by Dixon Brooke