DEREK’S TOP 6 LIST
DEREK’S TOP LISTS
- SUB-TOPICS Of DEREK’S TOP LISTS
- Top 6 List
- What’s Your Favorite Thing About Wine?
OBJECTIVE DISCLAIMER~ “I Go Out of My Way to Provide Neutral and Objective Information On the Wine World. This is the Basis of Demystifying “The Vine” and What I Want it to Be Know For. In Reality I’m Not Entirely Neutral On Every Subject. Recently I Have Been Challenged to Give My Opinion In Order to Provide Leadership and Guidance to Others In Search of Information. This is My/ Derek’s Top 6 Lists.”
1) The TOP 6 LISTS
“I Don’t Want to Tell People What to Like, I What to Inspire the Development of Their Knowledge So They Possess Confidence to Choose Wine For Themselves.”
TOP WINE COUNTRIES
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Wine Tourism, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Personal Preference
- France
- Italy
- California
- Spain
- Australia
- Germany
- Chile
TOP WINE REGIONS
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Bordeaux, France
- Napa Valley, California
- Piemonte, Italy
- Alto Adige, Italy
- Columbia Valley, Washington
- Sonoma, California
- Burgundy, France
TOP TERRIORS
CRITERIA– Magnitude, Topography Distinction, Personal Preference
- Alsace, France
- Columbia Valley, Washington
- Napa Valley, California
- Piemonte, Italy
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Sonoma, California
- Tokaj, Hungary
TOP AVA.
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Stags Leap AVA., Napa, California
- Sonoma Valley AVA., Sonoma, California
- Horse Heaven Hills AVA., Washington
- Finger Lakes AVA., Upstate, New York
- Santa Rita Hills AVA., Central Coast, California
- Anderson Valley AVA., Mendocino, California
- Dundee Hills AVA., Willamette, Oregon
TOP DOC.
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Barolo DOCG., Piemonte
- Valtallina DOC., Lombardia
- Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany
- Lago Caldero DOC., Alto Adige
- Mt. Etna DOC., Sicily
- Collio DOC., Friuli
TOP AOC.
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- St. Emillon AOC., Bordeaux
- Gevrey-Chambertin AOC., Burgundy
- Chateauneuf du Pape AOC.. Rhone Valley
- Chinon AOC., Loire Valley
- Alsace, Alsace
- Bandol AOC., Provence
TOP IBERIAN PENINSULA DO.
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Duoro Valley DO., Duriense, Portgual
- Ribero Douro DO., Castile & Leon, Spain
- Vinho Verde DO., Minho, Portugal
- Priorat DO., Calalunya, Spain
- Rioja DO., Rioja, Spain
- Canary Islands DO., Spainish Islands
TOP AUSTRALIA WINE REGION
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Barossa Valley GI., South Australia
- Margaret River GI., Western Australia
- Hunter Valley GI., New South Wales
- McLaren Vale GI., South Australia
- Tasmania, New South Wales
- Claire Valley GI., South Australia
TOP GREECE WINE REGION
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality of Wine, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Sanorini PGI., Cyclades Islands
- Patros PDO., Peloponnese
- Nemea PDO., Peloponnese
- Crete GI., Dodekanese Islands
- Slopes of Meliton PDO., Macedonia
- Amynteon PDO., Macedonia
TOP SOUTH AFRICA WINE REGION
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Magnitude, Quality of Wine, Terroir, Diversity In Wine, Wine Tourism, Personal Preference
- Stellenbosch-District
- Constantia-Ward
- Walker Bay–District
- Paarl-District
- Swartland-District
- Wellington-District
TOP BEST VINEYARD/ CRU
CRITERIA– Quality, History, Culture, Cachet, Cost, Personal Preference, Visual Stimulation, Popularity
- “Romanee Conti” Cote Nuits, Burgundy
- “Cannubi” Barolo, Piemonte
- “To Kalon” Oakville, California
- “Cote Brune” Cote Rotie, Northern Rhone
- “Sassicaia” Bolgheri, Italy
- “Rabaja” Barbaresco, Piemonte
- “Rangen” Alsace, France
- “Monte Rosso” Moon Mountain, California
- “Montrachet” Cote Beaune, Burgundy
- “Bernkasteler Doctor” Mosel, Germany
HONORABLE MENTION
- “Bien Noceto” Santa Maria, California
- “Schoss Johannisberg” Rheingau, Germany
- “The Benches” Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
- “Adrianna” Mendoza, Argentina
- “Shea” Willamette Valley, Oregon
- “Old Garden” Barossa Valley, Australia
- “Mt. Etna” Clairemont AVA., California
TOP BLACK GRAPES
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Quality, Personal Preference
- Syrah
- Lagrein
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Merlot
TOP WHITE GRAPES
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Quality, Personal Preference
- Assyriko
- Gruner Veltliner
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Albarino
- Fiano
- Sauvignon Blanc
TOP WINE STYLES
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Quality, Personal Preference
- Still
- Sparkling
- Rose
- Passito
- Fortified
- Botrytized
- Aged
MOST UNDER APPRECIATED WINE STYLES
CRITERIA– History, Culture, Quality, Personal Preference
- Sherry
- Port
- Madera
- Botrytis
- Champagne
- Distillation
TOP ESTATE/ TOURS CALIFORNIA
CRITERIA– Breath of Tour, Educated Employee/ Hospitality, Quality of Wine, Topography
- Benzinger, Sonoma Mountain AVA./ Sonoma
- Mondavi, Rutherford AVA./ Napa
- Chalone, Chalone AVA./ Central Coast
- Tablas Creek, Adelaide AVA./ Paso Robles
- Hess Collection, Mt. Veeder AVA./ Napa
- Melville, Santa Rita AVA./ Santa Barbara
TOP ESTATE/ TOURS- EUROPE
CRITERIA– Breath of Tour, Educated Employee/ Hospitality, Quality of Wine, Topography
- Freixenet, Penenas/ Catalunya
- St.Emilon, France…Electric Bike and Wine Tour
- Cote d’Nuit, Burgundy/ France…Burgundy by Bike
- Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal…Port Wine Tour
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT WINE
CRITERIA– Personal Preference, Influence, Tangibility
- Place
- People
- Intoxicant
- Culture
- History
- Social Lubricant
- Drinking Wine
MOST RESPECTED GRAPES/ WINES
CRITERIA– Based On Quality, Respect From the Wine World, Quality
- Blend-Bordeaux
- Pinot Noir-Burgundy
- Champagne
- Piemonte-Nebbiolo
- Chardonnay-Burgundy
- Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa
- Sangiovese-Brunello
TOP VINEYARDS IN CALIFORNIA
CRITERIA– History, Quality of Grapes/ Wine Produced, Topography, Visual Spender
- Alder Springs, Mendocino
- Monte Rosa, Moon Mountain AVA.
- L
- P
- V
- B
TOP EXPRESSIONS Of CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CRITERIA– Typicity, Balance, Tannins, Personal Preference.
- Napa AVA., California
- Saint Julian AOC., Bordeaux
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Walla Walla AVA., Washington
- Mendoza, Argentina
- Red Hills AVA., Lake County, California
- Colchagua Valley, Chile
TOP EXPRESSIONS Of PINOT NOIRS
CRITERIA– Typicity, Quality and On General Overall Style of a Region, Personal Preference.
- Cote Nuit, Burgundy
- Willamette Valley AVA., Oregon
- Santa Rita Hills AVA., California
- Russian River AVA., California
- Central Otago, New Zealand
- Alto Adige DOC., Italy
- Platz, Germany
TOP EXPRESSIONS Of SAUVIGNON BLANC
CRITERIA– Based Quality and On General Overall Style of a Region, Personal Preference.
- Sancerre AOC., France
- Marlborough, New Zealand
- High Valley AVA., California
- Casablanca, Chile
- Napa AVA., California
- Cape Town, South Africa
TOP EXPRESSIONS Of CHARDONNAY
CRITERIA– Based Quality and On General Overall Style of a Region and Personal Preference.
- Cote Beaune, Burgundy
- Russian River AVA., California
- Willamette Valley AVA., Oregon
- Santa Rita Hills AVA., Santa Barbara
- Margaret River, Perth
- Santa Cruz Mountain AVA., California
TOP SWEET WINES
CRITERIA– Based On History, Culture, Deliciousness, Personal Preference.
- Vin de Constance, South Africa
- Port, Portugal
- Sherry, Andalusia
- Sauternes, Bordeaux
- Tokaj, Hungary
- Moscato d’Asti, Piemonte
TOP WINE CITIES IN AMERICA
CRITERIA– History, Number and Quality of Wine Drinking Experiences.
- New York, New York
- San Francisco, California
- Washington DC.
- San Diego, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Boulder, Colorado
TOP WINE CITIES IN EUROPE
CRITERIA– History, Wine Culture, Number of Wine Bars, Quality of Wine Drinking Experiences.
- Bordeaux, France
- Porto, Portugal
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Verona, Italy
- Barcelona, Spain
TOP REGIONS TO FIND VALUE
My CRITERIA– Cost, Quality, Market Availability.
- Columbia Valley, Washington…For Any Sturctured Reds
- Tasmaina, Australia…For Sparkling Wine
- Aragon, Spain…For $10 Garnachas
- Monterey, California…For Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Lake County, California…For Quality Cabernet Sauvignon
- Penedes, Spain…For Sparking Wine
“While I Promote Wine Regional and Country I Do Very Little Wine Recommendations and Price Listing, Both of Which Can Easily Be Obtained On the Internet.”
MY TOP SONOMA ESTATE TOURS
My CRITERIA– #1 Must Have an Estate Tour(Access to Vineyards/ Winery/ Celler), Terroir of Vineyards, Magnitude of Estate, Quality of Wine Produced, Educated/ Chill Staff, Personal Preference
- Benzinger- Sonoma Mountain
- Buena Vista- Sonoma Valley
- Ferrari-Carano– Dry Creek
- Domaine Carneros- Carneros
2) WHAT Is YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WINE?
The Following is a List of Answers I Have Accumulated When Asking the Question…
- “Ability to Change Flavors and Aromas Over Times In a Bottle.”
- “All the Different Aromas, Flavors, and Textures.”
- “Drinking Wine.”
- “Each Wine is Different.”
- “Enjoying Wine With Friends.”
- “Everyone Has Their Own Palate and Experience.”
- “I Always Like What I’m Doing When I’m Drinking Wine.”
- “I Like Learning About Its History.”
- “I Like That My Passion For Wine Connects Me With People Both New and Old.”
- “I Like What I Like, I Don’t Like What I Don’t.”
- “In Every Glass of Wine There is a Story.”
- “Learning About Wine.”
- “Learning New Things About Wine.”
- “Pairing Food With Wine.”
- “Relaxing With Wine.”
- “Selling Wine.”
- “Sharing Wine.”
- “So Much to Learn, Wine is Infinite Information.”
- “The Anticipation of Drinking Wine.”
- “The Buzz Wine Gives You.”
- “The Community of Wine.”
- “The Crafting of Wine.”
- “The Differences Between Regions.”
- “The Diversity of Wine.”
- “The Exploration & Discovery of Wine.”
- “The People.”
- “The Person I Become When I Drink Wine.”
- “The Process of Making Wine.”
- “The Sights and Sounds of the Wine Country Experience.”
- “The Stories Behind the Wine…People, Families, Places.”
- “The Viticultural Aspect of Wine.”
- “The Warm, Fuzzy Feeling I get.”
- “The Way I Feel After Drinking a Glass.”
- “The Way Wine Feels In My Mouth.”
- “The Way Wine Makes You Feel.”
- “The Way Wine Smells”
- “The Way Wine Tastes.”
- “The Way Wine Unwinds You.”
- “There’s Alcohol In Wine.”
- “You Never Know What You Get.”
- “Your Never Done Learning About Wine.”
- “Wine Brings People Together.”
- “Wine Brings the World Together.”
- “Wine Comes From a Specific Place You Can Visit.”
- “Wine Changes Food & Food Changes Wine.”
- “Wines’ Endless Variety and Where They Come From.”
- “Wine Gets You Drunk.”
- “Wine Has A lot of Different Aspects to Enjoy.”
- “Wine is a Collaboration Between Nature and Art.”
- “Wine is a Inter-Communicative Enhancer Tool.”
- “Wine is a Little Bit Intellectual.”
- “Wine is Alive.”
- “Wine is an addiction.”
- “Wine is an Antidote For Nervousness.”
- “Wine is Always an Inherent Part of My Favorite Life Experiences.”
- “Wine is the Blending of History & Culture.”
- “Wine Bridges the Gap Between All of My Interests.”
- “Wine is Cool.”
- “Wine is Fascinating.”
- “Wine is a Form of Art.”
- “Wine is Great to Drink On Good Days, Wine is Also Good On Bad Days.”
- “Wine is a Liquid Map.”
- “Wine is the Most Interesting Beverage I Have Every Tasted.”
- “Wine is Personal.”
- “Wine is Subjective and Can Be Interoperated Differently”…Jessica
- “Wine is Very Refreshing.”
- “Wine Makes Food Taste Better.”
- “Wine Makes First Dates Better.”
- “Wine Makes Me Bright, Witty and More Attractive.”
- “Wine Makes Moments, and Helps You to Transport Your Memory Back to Then.”
- “Wine Makes My Wits More Nimble.” Winston Churchill
- “Wine Makes You Present and Mindful.”
- “Wine Makes Me Feel Cozy.”
- “Wine Makes Me Feel Fancy.”
- “Wine Makes Me Feel Like I’m Celebrating.”
- “Wine Makes Me Feel Good If I Don’t Drink Too Much.”
- “Wine Makes Me Slow Down.”
- “Wine Makes You Get Out and Be Social.”
- “Wine Makes You Happier.”
- “Wine Offers So Much Detail.”
- “Wines’ Relaxing Qualities.”
- “Wine is Never the Same.”
- “Wine is Shared by Friends and Family.”
- “Wine is Taken Care of by Someone.” Derek Bacciocco
- “Wine Tastes Good.”
- “Wine is a Whole Series of Living Systems.” Cathy Corison
**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.