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Two under $10

I went to dinner at my daughter's home last night. She made a curried venison and pumpkin stew that was quite tasty. Lot's of Indian spices and a bit of heat. She picked the wines.

2007 Mark West Central Coast California Pinot Noir-This was on closeout for $9.99. A bit of sweet cherry and asian spice. A bit jammy with a fair amount of Cola (sorry Mark!) and vanilla on the finish fairly low acidity made it a bit flabby. Nothing to rave about but not bad for under $10. "C+"

2008 Bodega Borsao Monte Oton Garnacha $6.99 imported by Jorge Ordonez. Crushed red raspberry on the nose. Lot's of flavors going around but none of them really indicitive of Grenache! Mint, celery, a bit of Hawaiian Punch, cantelope, it was hard to put my finger on exactly what it tasted like. Fairly soft and fruity almost no tannins. "C-"

Both wines displayed a background flavor that must come from the bulk processing method used in low end wines. It's a bitterness or aftertaste that lingers that is a bit unpleasant. Perhaps it's the tannin powder or oak chips or maybe the preservative(s) but I don't like it. I find it a lot in wines like $2Buck Chuck, Woodbridge, etc.

I suggested that next time I would bring the wine and got a major league "eye roll and sigh".....(only those of you with daughters can understand that move) Oh well....a Dad can try.

Reply to
Bi!!
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Bi!! wrote on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:11:34 -0700 (PDT):

Could you really taste the wines with curried venison? I don't object to the dish but I'd have beer or water with it and drink any wine *before* dinner but, as you say, "Oh well....a Dad can try."

Reply to
James Silverton

That taste has been puzzling me as well. I found it recently in an Okanagan cab franc and I wonder if that flavor might come through if I use the other bottle I have in a stew. Incidentally, a guest brought a me a bottle of Yellow Tail merlot. Would you use it for cooking? Graham

Reply to
graham

The best alcoholic drink that I've found goes well with curries is cider. Graham

Reply to
graham
Reply to
Lawrence Leichtman

Well, She's 30 and it hasn't stopped yet.............

Reply to
Bi!!

The curry was spicy but not hot and since I was a guest I didn't object.....I just said I'd bring the wine next time....that's when I got the eye roll and sigh.

Reply to
Bi!!

Bill, Not to belabor the obvious, but even in your well-meant suggestion is an implicit criticism of her wines, hence her tastes. It's not an easy line to walk, but I'd suggest that even the use of the interrogative softens the criticism ("Would it be OK if I contributed the wine to the next dinner? I'd be very happy to do so.") Granted, an astute listener gets the same message about the wines at the current meal, but it tends to appease some people. I have had a few similar conversations with friends and relatives, so I know all too well the discomfort.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

Mark, If you spend any time with me face to face you'll understand that she absolutely knew what my assesssment of these wines were. She's a real blonde beauty, a wonderful mother and wife (my son-in-law tells me), a talented artist and business person, I love her to death...but her taste in wine has become a legendary joke within the family. She took no offense and tolerates her old Dad's affliction for wine with her eye rolling and shrugs. But thanks for the thought.

Reply to
Bi!!

Got it, Bill. In the scheme of things, you could do a lot worse than a lack of taste in wine, so I suppose that it's a problem you can live with.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

Even with that, I will get an eye roll from my daughter or sometimes a snit. I have never told her that her tastes in wine are not mine but I always ask if I may bring the wine next time to save her the expense. Still get the same response but then I get that with almost anything.

Reply to
Lawrence Leichtman

Yep mine is 29.

Reply to
Lawrence Leichtman

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