May 22, 2007
To Wine or Not to Wine
Written by Shana in Jaunty Post
I’m not a big wine drinker. For most of my life, I couldn’t really stand the stuff. Beer, either. I prefer a mixed drink, the more frou-frou the better. Since those can run upwards of $7, it’s a good thing I rarely drink.
About a year ago I was faced with a conundrum. I was at a wedding in the gym of a Catholic church, and the only drinks being served were beer and wine. I think there was punch somewhere, but the kids were probably surrounding it. Well, I was thirsty, so I went for the wine. And guess what? It was good! Really good. It was a white zinfandel, and I told Ultimate Sportsfan that I would drink it again.
A couple of months later, we went out to eat and I decided to try some white zinfandel again. My friends were so impressed. Shana was drinking wine now!
But the wine came and it tasted horrible! It looked the same, but whatever it was it was not the good stuff I’d had in the church gym. Thus began the search. I think I tried five types of white zinfandels and none were the right one. I despaired of ever finding the *one wine I liked again.
Finally, a few months ago, I decided to give it one more shot. I was with my family at a tiny, family-owned Italian place and ordered the house white zinfandel. One taste and I knew I’d found it—my church basement wine! USF, smart guy that he is, asked the waiter what brand it was and then proceeded to practically fall off his chair laughing.
Apparently, Franzia is a wine that comes in a box. It’s the cheap wine. Though not as cheap as Boon’s, I pointed out!
Okay, so I have cheap taste. What’s wrong with that? A cute skirt is a cute skirt whether it comes from Wal-Mart or Neiman Marcus. It’ll probably last longer if you buy it from Neiman’s, but who needs wine to last? You drink it, and it’s gone, right?
*But as with most things in life, there’s a contradiction because I do like one other kind of wine…Cakebread chardonnay. My critique partners introduced me to it a couple of years ago. Then I had all of 3 sips because it’s so expensive–$90 or more a bottle. I didn’t think I’d ever get a full glass.
So guess what? Saturday was USF’s birthday, and we went out to dinner with his family. His mother has excellent taste and ordered two bottles of Cakebread. Well, I wasn’t going to turn a glass (or two) down!
I know I can’t be the only one full of contradictions. What about you?
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brownone Says:
Oh Shana, I TOTALLY feel you. I am not a drinker myself. I don’t drink wine or beer at home but if I go out, I’ll get one of those fancy frou frous with the sword and peice of fruit, or the chocolate sauce drizzled all over the glass. But, one Christmas my sister said her friend gave her a bottle of Canadian Icewine and it was sooo good!! They make it by pressing the grapes while they are frozen, which for some reason gives it a sweeter taste. I’ll be taking a trip up to Canada next week so I’ll be brining back a few bottles at $45 Canadian dollars per bottle.
Robyn DeHart Says:
My experience with wine is similar to yours, Shana. Best I could tell from it, it always made me hot and sleepy and I just didn’t love the taste enough. Then I discovered Ecco Domoni Pinio Grigio and mmmmmmmm….good stuff. I like other kinds of Pinio Grigio’s, but that brand is my favorite. And admittedly I enjoy the screw-top, carbonated Arbor Mist stuff, so you’re not the only one with cheap taste. I still don’t love red wine, it’s too harsh and you don’t drink it cold which I just don’t get.
Clarisse Says:
I am not a fan of dry wines of any ilk but I do like the Italian sweeter wines - the Renunites for red and the Spumantis in place of champagnes. These are not sugar sweet wines, they just don’t taste like the aged lemon juice that some “classy” wines remind me of.
Robyn DeHart Says:
Okay, clearly I’m not a true wine fan, or I would know how to spell everything. That should be Pinot Grigio. Heh….
Nonny Says:
I’m not crazy on wine either, but I rather like the white zinfandels. Actually, the best blush (which is what a white zin is) I’ve had was the Olive Garden’s house blush; it’s very smooth and delicate, not harsh or rough at all. I’ve given it to an affirmed wine hater and he loved it.
catslady Says:
At my wedding at 18 my grandfather (Sicilian) had homemade wine for everyone. I wouldn’t touch the stuff back then but would give anything to be able to have some now. My husband and his uncle are very much into wines and I now have carbernet savignon every night with dinner - sometimes from the box lol.
Margo Maguire Says:
I like an occasional glass of wine, but I don’t like it too sweet. I don’t like it totally dry, either - but there are some wonderful tastes out there. We have a friend who is a high-end wine distributor, and he has always managed to steer us in the direction of good wines.
Lately, though, when we’re out, I’ve preferred a glass of beer to wine. More like half a glass, which works perfectly, because my husband likes about a glass and a half.
Rainy Says:
I,too,am a cheap drunk! I know what I like, but it probably wouldn’t make the hot list from Food and Wine. My mother said my grandfather made his own wine in Boston’s North End in the bathtub. I’ll bet those vino partakers were not too finicky.
One of my favorites is Martini and Rossi’s Asti Spumante champagne. I thought it was expensive, but after Shana’s $90/bottle wine it seems to fit into the Boone’s Farm category.