Is the existence of "too cool for school" sommeliers a straw person? Are there wine professionals really championing only the obscure and having nothing but disdain for the classic, stalwart regions and grapes? Eric Asimov of The New York Times and James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator have a bit of a tête-à-tête via tweet over this issue, prompted by Jancis Robinson's take on Robert Parker's screed against weird wines. Here's the rundown on Twitter:
Typically levelheaded @JancisRobinson reply to Parker's jeremiad on the fad for obscure wines: http://t.co/FIwxI3dPd0
— Pete Wells (@pete_wells) February 15, 2014
Asimov feels the issue is more complex than a dichotomy between two warring factions:
If you ask, young somms don't oppose classics just what some connote. Witness embrace of Burgundy. Look deeper. @pete_wells @JancisRobinson
— Eric Asimov (@EricAsimov) February 15, 2014
Molesworth chimes in:
Bottom line us, great wine is great wine. But some will always pick the too cool for school club just to separate themselves. @EricAsimov
— James Molesworth (@jmolesworth1) February 15, 2014
But allow Asimov to retort. Where's the beef?
Seriously, guys. Tired of easy reference to “too cool for school’’ somms. Let’s have names, quotes. #evidence @Will_Lyons @jmolesworth1
— Eric Asimov (@EricAsimov) February 15, 2014
What is your experience with sommeliers? Champions of the classic as well as the obscure? Or fixated on the esoteric for the sake of being contrarian?
