Equivalent to 'DOCDOCG' in US

Michael, THe big difference between the AVA and, e g, DOC-DOCG, or DO-DOC in Spain, is, that the AVA system only guarantees that the wine so marked comes from that region (or, rather, that a minimum % comes from that region). There are no constraints as in, what varietals to be used, how to cellar them, how to grow them, or, as is the case in France, have a committe that tstes the wine and judge it for typicity. While this may appear frustrating, I personally find that there may be a good point to it - to wit, as soon as an apellation system has been decided, people will start to work around it ... hence the story of the Italian "table wines" at very high prices and very high quality, as an example. Also, if youhave a good producer, he or she may decide to down-grade his-her wine because he-she does not feel that it meets the highest standards (so you could find a Rosso di Montlacino from an excellent producer that is better than his less illustrious neighbour´s Brunello). Michael Pronay mentioned, a few weeks ago, that in Rust, in Austria, the growers have a gentlemen´s agreement not to produce Ausbruch unless the quality (as measured in must weight) is at least as good as TbA, which is in fact on the formal quality ladder, one step higher. So, in the end, you get back to the probity and workmanship of the producer, and there are severe limitations to relying on the various apellation systems. No doubt producers in Oregon and California will gang up and set their own standards - this happens all the time, Vinea Wachau comes to mind, and the Tastevinage in Bourgogne. Still, the confidence you cn have in them is the confidence they inspire. This is also one of my main reasons for tasting - I taste to learn more and appply that when I visit the producers. You see, my circumstances are, happily, such that I rarely buy any large amounts of wine without first having tasted it. Then, of course, I enjoy it with a meal. Unless it is a Riesling Vendange Tardive which is enjoyed by itself in a comfy arm-chair.

Apparently I digress. Sorry for that.

Cheers

Nils Gustaf

-- Respond to nils dot lindgren at drchips dot se