PARIS (AFP) — French wines still reign supreme, setting the bar for New World and other producers, American wine critic Robert Parker said in an interview Thursday.
Parker, whose pronouncements have influenced Bordeaux wine sales for more than two decades, told Le Figaro newspaper that the 2007 vintage had held up better than expected.
"French wines remain the benchmark for all countries producing great wines," Parker said. "Their boldness and intrinsic quality are indicators that influence winemakers in other countries."
"French wines have considerably improved in quality, even during difficult years," said Parker, considered the world's leading Bordeaux expert.
Parker said 2007 had yielded "fruity, soft and very charming" high-end Bordeaux wines that lacked the structure and density of the great vintages but were still enjoyable.
But he added that the majority of the 2007 production was bland, "with a hereby taste... Overall, they are disappointing."
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
