Having recently moved I don’t know much about the wines of my locale. Let’s face it, I don’t know much about the wines of where I came from either. So… I asked my experts. And this is what I got. I will try to purchase some nice European wines and annotate this list as I am able to.
I know that Pinot Noir is not your thing but 2005 is out there and
it’s extraordinary, the white Burgundy’s are drinking beautifully
(Chardonnay). Otherwise, Burgundy: 1999 (if you can get it), 2002,
2005
Alsace: 2001 was very good, 2002 was also very good, 2003 was poor
2004 good
Loire Valley: 2000 & 2001 good, 2002 very good/classic, 2003 supurb
& ripe, 2004/very good/classic
Rhone: 2000 & 2001, very good, 2002, not so great, 2003 wham-bang-
big! 2004 classic
Langudoc/Rousillion: 2000 & 2001 2004 & 2005 are good are the
vintages to get if you can
Champagne is mostly non-vintage, if there is a vintage, you know it
was a good one. Have fun with the small grower-producers that do not
abound here in the states.
Bordeaux has had a string of good vintages since 1999 with 2000 at
the top, 2001 very close and 2003 huge and ripe/intense and excellent
if that’s your thing
Jura & savoie (just next to Switzerland is also interesting, some
things that you don’t often find in the States, sweet wines, med.
reds and good lush whites for cheese: 1999, 2002 &2003 are good, in
between, I’d avoid. 2004 good
You should be able to get some good Austrian wines there. The famous
Gruener Veltliners and Rieslings like Nigl and Brundelmayer are very
good but can be pricey. I have had some very delicious wines from
Heidi Schrock, who is less well known.
I bet you can also get wines from Slovenia, Croatia, and Friuli
Venezia-Giulia that we don’t see here often. I’ve really enjoyed Edi
Simcic wines from Slovenia.