In Korea this effect is doubled. There is, as in many of the developing Asian wine markets, a desire to buy only the best -- and for many this means Bordeaux, Burgundy and the big reds of Italy.
There is a tendency to see red wine as serious and masculine, and that only mature, tannic and most importantly, expensive wines are worthy of consideration.
This week I want to highlight some of the more obscure wines that are available that offer drinkers a chance to expand their repertoires, and hopefully open up some new drinking pleasures.
First up is one of my absolute favorite grape varieties -- Gewurztraminer. It's a killer to spell but a knock-out to smell.
If you like aromatic wines, then this is the king of the aromatics. A white wine with probably the most distinctive nose in the wine world. Lychees, rose, passion fruit and florals -- it is like the most decadent bubble bath you can imagine. All these flavors follow through to the palate, and be it dry or off dry, it is as exotic a wine as you could want.
If you like Turkish Delight, you will like this. New World examples tend to be dry and good value and unfortunately have not yet made an impact in Korea. Alsace is Gewurz's home in France and in Shindong Wine and Les Vins Maeils you will find Hugels on offer. Aromatic and slightly oily, it comes in at a pocket picking 30,000 won ($30.50) but if you are feeling adventurous it is well worth a punt.
If I described Pinot Grigio as an adventurous varietal in England I would be laughed out of the room. Pinot Grigio is about as safe a white wine as can be bought. It is clean, crisp and is generally produced from slightly unripe fruit, leading to a very simple wine. It is difficult to get hold of at all in Korea and the ones available are, to my mind, overpriced.
Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same thing but the use of a different name actually leads to a totally different wine. Pieroth has a great example of New Zealand Pinot Gris. It is wonderfully soft with good stoned fruit characteristics -- think apricot -- and a brisk citrus acidity that leads to something of a guzzler. At the time of writing, it is available by the glass at Kabinett in Itaewon with a happy-hour price of less than 5,000 won. You cannot argue with that.
Sileni's Semillon, for 28,000 won, from Shindong Wine is a honey lemon delight and is the only New World Semillon I have seen here. By supporting these more unusual wines we are encouraging more experimentation. South African Chenin Blancs please!
Unusual reds are less likely to be found but we do get Chilean Carmenere, which offers a soft, cherry fruit wine with a distinctive chocolate aspect. These can be found in your local convenience store at a convenient price.
You are in Korea, you are an adventurous type. Be adventurous in your wine choices and you are sure to be rewarded.
Go to www.pierothwines.co.kr for more information on Pieroth Wines.
Dan can be reached through his website at wineinkorea.blogspot.com -- Ed.
