Wines taste the same?

     According to a recent SFchronicle podcast, wines are tasting the same. The title is: Why Are Napa Valley Cabernets Tasting the Same?  Duh, all of them are vying for the same consumer and none of them have the balls or imagination to do something different. I get it, if it ain't broke don't fix it. As long as Napa can keep slapping the name Napa on their wines, they're gonna ask for higher than average prices. Even for average wines. There are standouts  but even then there is little difference in the terroir, climate and wine practice. That's why having a legit sommelier is great, to cut through the bullshit and help you pick out awesome wines that won't cost you an arm and a leg.  Somms blind taste and learn to recognize similarities within a region and amongst the specific varieties grown there. In Europe there are stringent rules as to what can be grown and where, that clears that up but in the US where it's supposedly a free for all, all or at least many of the vineyards grow the same grapes, tend and grow them the same and age them the same in the same fucking barrels. And people wonder,  "Do these wines taste the same?" This is also a good reason to have a legit somm, to try things you have no clue about. I'm sure you know someone that only drinks one thing, let's say cab. Cab in the winter, cab in the summer, cab with ice cream because it's all they know. Get out of your comfort zone, only be faithful to your spouse. Drink many wines from many places and you'll appreciate what you truly love even more. Drink good wine.

RJ
​Certified Sommelier CMS