Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/14/2004

Question
In your opinion what are the best white wine and merlot imports?  I miss England with all the wonderful selection constantly open to you.  Here I just don't know where to look or what to look for.  Thank you!

Answer
Dear Kate:

First of all, welcome--or is it welcome back?  At any rate, I know how you must feel.  Since the UK doesn't really produce much wine on its own, it has a wonderful selection of wines from all over the world.  Here in the US, the selection is often less varied--although this really depends on the part of the country in which you live. I live in Northern California, the selection here is really quite wonderful.

Without knowing what kinds of wines you enjoy, it's  bit hard for me to know exactly what to recommend, but here are a few ideas:

1.  If you prefer crisp dry white wines, the I would look for Macon Lugny Les Charmes, any of the yellow capsule Trimbach wines from Alsace, or some of the nice Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand--Brancott for example.

2.  For softer white wines, try the B&G Vouvray, Chilean Chardonnays ( Santa Carolina ) or the Aussies with their Chard and Semillon blends.  ( Alice White, Lindemans)

3.  For imported Merlot, I would have to vote for either the B&G from France, or just about anything from Chile or Argentina--the Latin American reds are awfully hard to beat for value these days.

Finally, I have to ask a question.  Since you are now in the US, why the focus on imported wines?  Many of the best values in the market are wines made right here in the US--and I would encourage you to try some of them.  At just about every price point, there is an American producer that really delivers quality and character.  When I am in France, I drink French wines.  I just returned from Italy, where I spent the week drinking Italian wines.  But here in the US, I certainly drink my fair share of American wines.

Paul Wagner