Grapes that depress

Do you experience some grapes, or, should we say, the wine made from certain grapes, in a negative, even depressing way? Where the wine leaves you with a low, crappy feeling after you've drunk even a small amount?

Like Semillon, for example? 

Like Primitivo?

And why, exactly?

Those are two of my top picks in this category.

Just thinking out loud...

Comments

[Doug Cook]

Semillon from where? By whom? Yes, there's a lot of bad Semillon. But isn't that true of every grape variety, especially the "international" ones, where there's always a temptation to grow the grapes in inappropriate places and make them in ways that are unflattering to the grape's natural strengths (call it "typicity." if you will).

With Semillon, let's take good Hunter Valley examples, assuming they're roperly aged (i.e. at least a decade). I'd put these on my "least depressing" list - low-alcohol, unoaked, zippy, crazily complex, unique, taut m*th*rf*ck*rs. I wish I had more in my cellar. And I've certainly had some great old white Bordeaux, though that's usually a blend.

I'll admit I've never had a Primitivo that's knocked my socks off, but perhaps I just haven't had the right one.

[Strappo]

Doug, you know I love to make sweeping statements. It's bait, really.

To answer your question about Semillon, though, I have to say that I loathe it in Graves, and I've not had any non-botrytized examples that altered my basic opinion. At best it's a matter of, "Oh. That didn't suck."

Another grape whose charms elude me is Pinotage. I prefer even Primitivo to that. Drinking Pinotage is, to me, an act of self-loathing.

There aren't many grapes that have, consistently, a negative effect on my brain chemistry. Even Pinot Grigio and Gruner Veltliner have their moments. So I hope no one shall deem me a Hatah.