Last night I attended a gala event at a church in Scarsdale to benefit their Mission Committee (my group was one of a couple of honorees). Cocktail hour, then dinner and program. I set my vinous sights very low, as I understand the bottom line means the wines will be chosen to maximize the "take" (and rightly so). Actually, half the wines were pleasant, if not stunning. A better average than most of these events.
2005 Domaine de Sarret Sauvignon Blanc (Vin de Pays d'Oc) Light grass notes, ok acidity, clean and bright. No depth here, but certainly better than many many wines I have been served at charitable events in the past. B-2005 Clos Robert Chardonnay (Central Coast ) Sweet canned fruit cocktail, stirred with a shim of toasted oak. Very popular, but not with me. C
A taste of a Mendoza red (I believe Cabernet, I believe Castle View) was undrinkable- an awful musty/wet dog smell. Corked? Not exactly what I thought, but maybe. The bottle I was poured from was almost empty, and I didn't see anyone complaining. Not the time or place for wine geekdom, so I quietly found a restroom for a sink. If this wasn't an off bottle, D-
2005 Alain Corcia Bourgogne OK, I had even lower expectatons here- generic Bourgogne from a negociant who is mainly low end Rhone? Color is quite light, even for Bourgogne. But it looks like sometimes the tide does indeed lift all boats. Bright cherry fruit, a little damp earth, clean and forward. Not a lot of depth, concentration, or length here, but certainly an acceptable lighterweight Pinot, and it is a nice accompaniment for the non-rubber chicken. B/B-There were a couple bottles of '82 Gruaud Larose in the silent auction, but I lost out. :)
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency