Allies in wine

In these tImes of political upheaval, may I recommend to fellow Decanter readers the remarkable ways that Pinot noir can elegantly evade any political differences and bring us together. I dearly love good Burgundy but, for a number of reasons, it is somewhat difficult to obtain locally. On the other hand, I am more or less awash in good-quality California Pinots. While the California version would never in my experience be mistaken for a quality Burgundy, they can be exquisite in their expression of the fruit and provide such a different experience from a true Burgundian as to nearly seem a separate variety altogether. I would urge my european brothers in wine appreciation to seek out California Pinot noirs and let the varied expression of the same grape serve as a reminder that different viewpoints on the same theme do not automatically make us at odds with each other, or worse.

Despite whatever unfortunate and poorly thought-out tweet mr trump issues on any given day, rank-and-file American citizens have not forgotten that our european allies are true friends, and that will persist far beyond the trump administration and its bombast. James Humphreys, San Antonio, Texas