[Vin] France is the clear winner of Wine Spectator's 2008 Top 100 Wines, if I did my math correctly. The Top 100, released this month, lists 31 French wines, 22 from the USA, and for what I believe is a first, an Israeli wine: Golan Heights Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee Yarden 2004.
5 of the top 10 wines were from France, with Chateauneuf-du-Pape placing twice in the top 10: Vieux Telegraphe and Beaucastel. Predictably, there was plenty of high-end Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Top 100, but you might want to look to the Loire for value. Loire wines rated from 90 to 100 points averaged $32 per bottle versus Burgundy at $116 and Bordeaux averaging $95.
New World wine has been and is on the rise. But don't count France out just yet! (Ted Scheffler)
