by Sallie Robbins-druian
Let's face it. Wine is complicated. And French wine is a swirling maelstrom of history, government control, regional divides, family in-fighting, and basic chemistry. But must we know every little detail to understand what we like when we drink it? I want to demystify French wine. I want to simplify French wine. I want to drink French wine without reading volumes and memorizing details. I want to know about the people and families who make the wine, and how they feel about their commitment and drive for perfection. But honestly, I simply want to breathe in the aroma, take in the first sip, savor the wine, linger on the mid-palate and head for the finish line with a smile of satisfaction. It's like searching for the Holy Grail. Except we are looking for magic in a bottle, and it can be elusive. But isn't the thrill of the hunt in the searching?