What Is Craft Wines And Who Are Garagistes
What's the big deal about small production craft wines? What difference does it make, and who really cares how much wine a winery makes? Does the fact that Gallo makes 900 million bottles of wine per year affect the quality of their product?
We know that "craft beer" has re-shaped the brewing industry, but what does that really mean when a "craft" producer such as Sam Adams makes over 2.5 MILLION BARRELS per year? And garagiste* winemakers are making about 60 bottles of craft wine. Not sixty million or sixty thousand. Sixty. Six-0.
* GARAGISTES – (garage-east) n, Fr. – A term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their garage, who refused to follow the “rules.” Now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world. Who’s laughing now, Francois? Syn: Rule-breakers, pioneers, renegades, mavericks, driven by passion.
The average consumer gives barely a thought to production levels, so what are they actually buying when they buy “craft”? Usually, it’s big flavors, creative and out-of-the-box approaches that large producers eschew for various reasons like quotas from demanding grocery chains. When it comes to wine, the winemaker's personality and artistic approach can truly shine in a craft wine. The personal attention to detail allows the winemaker to coax out the best of each varietal. That is if they know what they are doing!
You won't find garagiste wines in supermarkets or large liquor chains amongst the Cab and Chard - they just don't have enough wine to satisfy the requirements of large distributors. Even the best supermarket wines suffer a little from the relentless demand to re-stock the shelves. And then there are the Restaurants who don't want to have to re-print their wine lists regularly.
And perhaps most importantly, you won't find the big wineries making this incredibly wide range of varietals and styles. Not only are these micro-producers making every grape imaginable, but Garagiste winemakers are taking experimental and sometimes risky approaches like whole-cluster fermentation, extended maceration, native yeasts, low-alcohol, biodynamic farming, blends, and more that often result in unique and exciting wines. That's why consumers benefit from supporting craft wine producers. They are the people who will continue to push for higher-quality and more interesting wines.
Most of these approaches just aren’t practical in the large volumes of the supermarket wine producers. These techniques are the purview of the small winemakers; true artisans in the purest non-marketing sense of the word. They are changing the way wine is being made and a whole new audience is discovering that this kind of hands-on, artistic winemaking is worth seeking out.
Wines from these producers can be hard to find even in small shops and restaurants in their own backyards. Most do not have the time or resources to market their wine widely. The financial realities of making wine in these tiny amounts demand that winemakers sell directly to consumers with no middle-man as much as possible. It helps to know them personally.
And how do you do that? Most don't have tasting rooms. They aren’t on wine country maps. Many are too busy tending the vineyard and making the wine for them to do much in the way of selling. Determined wine country travelers who are dedicated to seeking them out may find one or two on any given visit, but they are not easy to find.
Personal connections with their customers are crucial, and much like independent musicians, winemakers can develop an “artist/fan" relationship for their craft wine. For the consumer, finding an undiscovered winemaker before they
Where To Find Craft Wines
Festivals
get big scores in the Wine Spectator or sell out their wine club list is very much like finding a new band in a club before they have a hit record and being able to brag about it to your friends for the rest of your life. I knew them when!
That’s what makes events like the Garagiste Festivals such “a crazy thrill of discovery” according to KCET TV. This unique festival brings together over 60 micro-production wineries at one time. It gives wine consumers a chance to not only taste this ultra-premium, cutting-edge wine but to meet the winemakers themselves, who pour at these festivals. Not salespeople or brokers; the winemakers themselves. This is true passion on display, face to face, and in your glass. These folks love to meet their audience and tell their story.
Wine Clubs
There are some wine clubs that focus on small production wineries and individual winemakers. These clubs typically work with a number of producers and limit memberships so they can consistently deliver craft wine. There are a few that are worth considering because they have established reputations and are easy to work with.
Nakedwines.com has a strange name to be sure. However, they offer wine lovers the chance to fund small craft wine operations that wouldn't normally have easy access to consumers. Members of the club are called Angels because they are helping these craft winemakers live their dream. You can read more about this club in our Nakedwines.com review.
Gold Medal Garagiste Wine Club is another way to purchase amazing craft wine online. Gold Medal wine club is a well-established and reputable club. They offer a range of wine club options, but the garagiste club is a favorite of ours. Gold Medal describes the club this way:
Each wine club selection is handcrafted by skilled and passionate winemakers in very small quantities. Limited to small-lot winemakers who typically produce less than 1,500 cases annually, means these wines are virtually impossible to find in the marketplace. If you or your gift recipients love the thought of finding rare and fascinating wines before they are discovered, this wine of the month club is the perfect choice and gift.
Final Words
We hope you will consider spending a least some of your wine budget on craft wine. It is important that wine lovers support the efforts of these artisans. They will be the ones that push new wine varietals and styles that will keep wine drinking fresh and interesting. Please email us if you know of any great winemakers producing craft wines we can add to future posts.
