Wow. I wouldn’t tolerate that. I’d have to confront the guy and say “hey, you drink your crap that we don’t like, and we’ll drink ours–don’t pour out what I paid good money TO ENJOY.” and if he had something to say about it, I’d kick him in the nuts.
Well maybe not the kicking part, but hell if I’d let someone be that much of an ass to me.
Also, the proper way to deal with a wine you think is bad is to cork it and bring it back to the store. Just about any store that sells wine has dealt with bad bottles and will have a policy about them. You do want to bring back the bottle mostly full, though. It’s like sending food back at a restaurant - if you eat all but one bite then claim it was bad the restaurant may tend to be less than gracious about it.
Well, it would not be good for family relations (and my sister’s happiness) to put up much of a fuss - my brother in law can be a pretty cool guy, he just has a few blind spots to be worked around - wine snobbery being one of them.
I’m so glad you liked it.
When we first began to appreciate having a small stock of wine in the house for meals and entertaining, I’d come home with a case of 12 different wineries from assorted years to try. Eventually I came to keep a few really good bottles around for important guests but always try and locate a single “perfect everyday wine”, affordable and not imppossible to find, and keep a case of it in the wine cellar (okay… coat closet).
Back in '97 when our search began, that “everyday” wine was Estancia Cabernet, beginning with the '93, and it served us well until '02 when I noticed a substantial change. I soon came across the Sebastiani Cab and we stuck with it until last year.
Then some friends brought the Menage a Trois to dinner and I’m not sure how many cases I’ve bought since. It fits most everything, guests love it and in discusssing it with a grocery manager the other day, he asked if I was a restauranteur as apparently they’re buying it off his shelves as well.
This worries me slightly as to the possibility it may get more pricey or hard to find. Does anyone know how long this menage should last? I know some have optimum drinking periods, for instance “wait 3 years and finish before 10” or the like. I wouldn’t mind stocking up as long as I know it’ll continue to hold it’s present quality.
Nice thread, Jodi.
off to do a little research
Didn’t find much but what’s said isn’t surprising… “…this Ménage à Trois Rouge is expected to age well in the bottle for several years. But why wait? The wine is ready, willing, and accessible now!”
I did come across this excellent Winewaves site though that mentions some of the labels we’ve discussed and tons more. Reviews look pretty accurate to what I’ve experienced.
I’m sorry I joined this thread so late.
I have seen this wine but been reluctant to try it because I’ve been burned by blends before. My husband and I don’t really like Merlot all that much but we do like Zinfandel and Cabernet so two out of three’s not bad, right?
And at something like $10 a bottle, it’s worth a try. Plus, you have to go for the name.
itty bitty hijack
I mentioned being a fan of the rosé and table white by this winery, but figured I’d mention this as well, it looks like their rosé took best of class (for a dry rosé) in the San Francisco Wine Competition last week.
The rosé is also a regular on my wine rack. And I guess I should mention that the SF Competition is one that is close to my heart. Most of the judges on the panel are teachers, co-workers, and just general colleagues or associates of mine. The classes I take benefit directly from it (more about that towards the bottom of this page.) I’ll most likely be working the public tasting at Fort Mason next month (any BADs planning on attending?), and one of my immediate goals is to be invited to the judging panel in the next couple of years or so.
And I thought some folks might like this. There is now a decent interactive version of the Aroma Wheel available online.
It’s a fairly simple tool but does come in handy for beginners trying to express their tasting notes. Sort of a common ground for descriptions.
I’m also joining late, having the chance to try the wine last night. My husband also had a few sips and right away said he noticed the Merlot (which he also doesn’t like), so don’t be surprised if you also notice it.
As for me, I’d say I really noticed the fruitiness first thing and it surprised me because it was a lot more pronounced than the wines I usually drink, but I really enjoyed the glass I had and do agree with everyone here on how it would be a great every day wine.
Since I’ve not had a lot of experience talking about wine, I really appreciated psycat90’s aroma wheel link as it will make me think more about the flavors I’m smelling and tasting.