Yes, it does matter.

Just because most wines of the Medoc are predominantly Cabernet based does
not mean that Margaux is the same as Graves wines in style. Even if they %
of Cabernet is the same. Your example was of Cab based vs Merlot based..but
it goes more dramatic than that.

Therefore you need to concentrate on what you like and why so you can
explore others.

Example many years ago I found I like Chateau Margaux. However I cannot
afford that weekly. So I found suitable alternatives to be Rausan Segla, or
Cheateau Brane Cantenac or Malesocot Exsupery--which are also wines of
Margaux.

Using California wines as an example not all Napa Cabernets are the same.
Rutherford wines experience that dusty quality. I don't know of any other
Napa AOC that is that distintive.

So yes...I would say it does matter.


"jcoulter" > wrote in message
...
> Midlife > wrote in :
>
>
>
>> Thanks, but maybe I should clarify a bit. I do understand how the
>> French system works, I just can't seem to commit the
>> AOC-to-grape-variety formulas to memory. I was hoping someone could
>> offer a trick or two.
>>
>> It's likely to be as simple as the Visa card US Olympic TV commercials
>> last month: "How do you get to the 2004 Summer Olympics? ......
>> Practice!.... Practice!..... Practice!".
>>
>>
> Yes, we do it the old fashioned way, we learn it! Other than looking it up
> in a book there is no other way. Unless you know Cahors=Malbec or
> Rhone=Syrah (Unless it is southern and Grenache) then you can't figure it
> out without a scorecard. What happens is you learrn which style you like
> and then the grape varietal doesn't really matter. If you like St Emilion
> as opposed to St.Estephe there is a reason but does it matter?