Comments on: When I hear ‘cult wine’ I reach for my revolver

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:30:17 +0000

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s such a gamble going for the big names with big scores – when they are good they are very, very good, but when they’re not they can be a very expensive disappointment…

By: Ruth Alexander-Smith

Ruth Alexander-Smith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:47:20 +0000

FINALLY, somebody says it like it is! Love this piece and have to agree with your observations. It’s always so disappointing to expect GREAT things from a ‘cult’ wine and be let down in so many ways but especially your pocket, generally try to avoid them if possible rather like the movie you must see!!!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:07:29 +0000

In reply to David Lowe. Thanks David! When it comes to the book, if it helps a bunch of people to get the same pleasure out of wine that I do, I'll be happy :)

By: David Lowe

David Lowe — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:25:25 +0000

Great post Matt. Let’s hope your forthcoming book gets a “cult” following though, hey?

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:57:02 +0000

In reply to Erica Landin. Going to both. We'll have to meet up for a chat!

By: Erica Landin

Erica Landin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:21:54 +0000

Are you coming to RAW and/or Real Wine Fair in London in May? It could be an interesting topic to continue discussing.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:12:46 +0000

In reply to Erica Landin. Thanks Erica. Total coincidence that so many in that list are organic/biodynamic/natural! They were just the first ones that came into my head. These types of wines certainly fill two of the three criteria I mentioned for creating a cult following: small production, and unique or unusual style. Added to that, they are currently quite fashionable. Sometimes, like the ones in the list, high quality too! So I suppose it's not that surprising when I think about it. Such wines, thanks to contrasting methods of production and/or winemaking ethos, tend to stand out from the crowd. Not a prerequisite to create a cult following, but it does seem to help.

By: Erica Landin

Erica Landin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:43:20 +0000

Great post. Is there a reason so many of your cult wines with a decent price tag are “natural” wines or organic/biodynamic? Was that part of criteria or just by accident? Because to me it has happened way too many times to be coincidence that the wines that move me and have pushed my boundaries have been natural wines or biodynamic. Without knowing it in advance. I’m trying to get deeper into the subject to figure out why, but I guess for natural (sic!) reasons those are less manipulated to emulate the cookie cutter, Parkerscoring big, oaked red international style? What’s your thought? @ericawinetrips