4 ms·

Me and the wife went on hols to the Bordeux region a few years ago. Whilst there I conducted a highly scientific experiment. When we didn't eat out we bought

Me and the wife went on hols to the Bordeux region a few years ago. Whilst there I conducted a highly scientific experiment. When we didn't eat out we bought a few bottles of say EUR1.5-3.0 red plonk from the nearest supermarket. I can exclusively reveal my results of this anecdote along with a few others (anecdotes): * I can sink at least two bottles of Bordeaux region cheap supermarket wine with virtually zero after effects the next day * I cannot sink at least two bottles of any wine from say Tesco without suffering the next day (I'm GB based) There are quite a few caveats here but in general I'm actually going to allow for the rumour that them there froggies actually know what they are doing: they make bloody good wine - instinctively. Whatever we get here is broken in some way. I will continue my investigation and attempt to come to a conclusion - hic

dep_b 9y ago
What can be called wine and what not differs between countries. The cheapest wine is often a mix of material from a grape plant half fermented to be mixed with water, alcohol and sulfite to create and bottle the "wine" in the country of destination. I imagine that kind of thrash is not allowed to be sold inside France.
- gerdesj 9y ago
  In theory the UK is still part of Europe as is France, so we should get the same kind of wine as consumers. No we bloody don't. The stuff I've drunk in France and Italy seems better to me (anecdote) than we get here. I'm not an expert but I know a hangover when I experience one and I don't get one when I drink certain wines (within reason)
  - 9935c101ab17a66 9y ago
    Why do you think you should get the same kind of wine locally as consumers in the UK? There are so many factors here that could affect the quality and selection.
  - dep_b 9y ago
    > In theory the UK is still part of Europe as is France, so we should get the same kind of wine as consumers. No, France is still allowed to be even more picky than EU regulations require. Same goes for what can be called "baguette" in- and outside France: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguette https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguette
dejv 9y ago
That would be higher dosage of SO2. It stabilize the wine and export producers of cheap-ish wines want to be extra sure the bottles dont go bad on shelves or by incorrect storage. Bottles for local consuption dont require this extra "protection".

dep_b 9y ago

What can be called wine and what not differs between countries. The cheapest wine is often a mix of material from a grape plant half fermented to be mixed with water, alcohol and sulfite to create and bottle the "wine" in the country of destination. I imagine that kind of thrash is not allowed to be sold inside France.

gerdesj 9y ago
In theory the UK is still part of Europe as is France, so we should get the same kind of wine as consumers. No we bloody don't. The stuff I've drunk in France and Italy seems better to me (anecdote) than we get here. I'm not an expert but I know a hangover when I experience one and I don't get one when I drink certain wines (within reason)
- 9935c101ab17a66 9y ago
  Why do you think you should get the same kind of wine locally as consumers in the UK? There are so many factors here that could affect the quality and selection.
- dep_b 9y ago
  > In theory the UK is still part of Europe as is France, so we should get the same kind of wine as consumers. No, France is still allowed to be even more picky than EU regulations require. Same goes for what can be called "baguette" in- and outside France: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguette https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguette

dejv 9y ago

That would be higher dosage of SO2. It stabilize the wine and export producers of cheap-ish wines want to be extra sure the bottles dont go bad on shelves or by incorrect storage. Bottles for local consuption dont require this extra "protection".