3 BTG wines with Thai (only one past it)

Not really tasting notes, but thoughts.

I'm a wine geek. I spend way too much time thinking/talking/writing about wine. But everyone needs a hobby. Sometimes with truly fiery fare I go for beer, but usually I try to find a wine to go with most meals. That said, sometimes I also try to set aside the more anal parts of my geekery, especially if I'm trying to have a nice meal with my wife.

Yesterday Betsy had a Handel rehearsal after performance, and I unexpectedly had to work most of day. We were tired, and chose an easy and nearby option for dinner. The local Thai place is ok, except for a tendency to make everything just a little too sweet. We try to counter by aiming for dishes with more sour/spicy/acid notes. A pleasant meal with kanon jeeb (steamed dumplings), tom sum (green papaya salad), ped penang (duck), and pad thai.

I did think about a Singha. But Betsy doesn't like beer. For a Thai restaurant this has a surprisingly varied list, and offers 10 whites and 8 reds by the glass. Of course, then one has to strategize- is it best to go for most unusual wines, on theory they'll open a new one, or most common, on theory it'll be freshest (I'm trying to avoid going over to bar area and asking to see/sniff bottles -Betsy is patient, but....).

For the whites I go with most arcane theory (at least within realm of matching). I order a glass of Santa Julia Torrontes, and one of the Salvard Cheverny (or as we ended up explaining to our waitress with limited English, #7 and #10). The Cheverny (which I saw bartender search for and open new bottle) was actually quite the deal for a $6 glass- bright citrus fruit, a little grassy, a clean if lean Sauvignon Blanc.B The Torrontes also seemed fresh, though less attractive- light, ok acidity, peach fruit with a musky/floral touch, but short and not especially tasty. B-/C+

Then I decided for a glass of red with the duck. I ordered the Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone ("the last red listed"). Here, I struck out. Light raspberry fruit, but distinct notes of oxidation. Rough guess open 3-4 days. Could have sent it back, but decided not to worry about it. It was only $6.95 (pours were approximately 5 oz , pretty funny they had the CdR for $45 a bottle).

So not outstanding wine night, but nice to be with Betsy, and then go home to watch Renoir's The River.

Reply to
DaleW
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Hi Dale,

Just back from a quick trip to the states, my first in 3 years or so. Went to a good Thai joint with a fine old friend who I haven't seen in 10 years. He's gotten into wine and really wanted red. The 2 red choices, Hess Select CS or Merlot, at $35. My friend chose the Cabernet (I hadn't had the wine so couldn't really comment) and we proceeded to the order stage.

My Friend: We'll have the cabernet sauvignon, please. The Waitress: Ah, sauvignon blanc, very good. MF: No, I mean the cabernet sauvignon, you know, red? TW: No, sauvignon blanc white, you know? MF: You see, we want red wine! TW: Sauvignon blanc good white wine! MF: No, red wine. TW: Ah, red, red. We have merlot. MF: Yes, red! Cabernet sauvignon. TW: Red is merlot. MF: But it says: (pointing) cabernet. TW: That merlot. Wait I show you.

She comes back with two bottles, the CS and the Merlot, both marked clearly on the label.

TW: See? Two kinds merlot. MF: Look, it says cabernet right there! TW: No, that merlot. MF: OK, OK! We'll have _that_ merlot (pointing to cabernet) not the other one!

Finally I got to taste. She was right, tasted just like merlot! ;) Live and learn!

-E

Reply to
Emery Davis

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