The recent trend of higher alcohol wines is related to winemakers wanting riper fruit so they can produce super-ripe, intense wines to meet market demands, concluded wine industry experts during a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. But it’s a waning trend, considering today’s wine market that is more complex and segmented than ever. Steve Heimoff, wine critic, blogger (www.steve heimoff.com) and California editor of Wine Enthusiast, led the panel assembled to bust the myth that ­high-alcohol wines (14 percent or higher) taste and score better. Heimoff, with more than 20 years of experience […]